There is no secret: Composer Amit Trivedi talks about balancing commercial work and his independent music

For their fourth anniversary celebrations, Red Bull Tour Bus returned to where it all began - Mumbai. The gig, that celebrated music, featured metal band Skyharbor, singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad, ambient electronic music artist Komorebi and indie/folk/alternative band When Chai Met Toast.

The cherry on the top was an hour and a half long final set by singer-composer Amit Trivedi. His live band performed some of the composer/singer’s most popular songs from films such as Wake Up Sid, Udta Punjab, and Dev D.

Prior to the gig, Trivedi spoke about maintaining the balance between his commercial work and his independent music. He also talked about 'Method Composing,' and many other things. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

1. What made you say yes to 'Off The Roof'?

I have a very beautiful relationship with OML, and I love the vibe of the entire set-up of OML. The guys are lovely. But the main attraction is also the Red Bull Tour Bus. To play on top of a bus is something we’ve never done before – we did play on the Red Bull Tour Bus once in Bangalore last year, but it’s always a one of a kind of experience to jump on the bus and sing. It’s really unique. So yes, it was one of the main reasons I said yes to 'Red Bull Tour Bus Off The Roof.'

2. You talk about your discipline when it comes to juggling your work between Bollywood, Ads, and your independent work. How do you do it? What's the secret to that discipline?

There is no secret, actually. Ultimately it’s just music – whether I’m catering to the Bollywood audience or the indie audience. I just approach every type of music the way I am, and how my personality is. With films and Bollywood, there are many people involved. There’s a script, a director, the commercial viability, etc. All these factors have to be taken into account when working on Bollywood music. Whereas, independent music is your personality and expression. So I love doing both.

3. You talked about method composing at an event recently. So what is Method Composing? Could you please elaborate on that?

It’s like getting into the skin of the situation. Like how an actor gets into the skin of his character. So, with composing also, I get into the zone, the world of the film that it belongs to. Whether it’s jazz, or dark and trippy as in Dev D, or Udta Punjab. I go deep into the script and speak the language of the film, musically.

4. How do you manage two extremes of being a director's composer and then being an independent artiste?

In films, you have to follow the director’s vision. Filmmaking is a director’s medium. So everything happens as per the script and his vision. Also, I have to keep in mind the commercial viability of the track – that it has to work not only in the film but also appeal to the larger audience. Independent music is, of course, for the people to enjoy, and the commercial viability still remains the same, but it’s also your vision. So it’s a bit different there.

5. You will be doing your first project in Tamil cinema with Queen remake. What are the things that are exciting you about the project and what do you think will be a challenge for you?

It is going to be challenging because it’s the same film that we’ve seen in Hindi and it’s going to get remade in four different languages – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The challenging part is that there are two directors directing two languages each. Each director has his own way of looking at the film, so I will have to cater to them. Also, the challenge is to cater to four different regions and make sure that whatever music I make cuts across in all four regions. And the most challenging thing is to redo the same song in a completely new way, but keeping the same mood and situations we had in the original; I have to re-think the song.

Quickfire -

1. Favourite lyricist - Anand Bakshi, Gulzaar Saab

2. Favourite instrument - Can’t pick one, I love all instruments.

3. Something that is always in your studio - Speakers, mixers, computer, hard drive, synthesizers, mic and me!

4. Dream collaboration - It was for the show The Dewarists. I had a great time with Selavganesh sir, who I really admire and look up to, and am a huge fan of. So it was a dream come true to work with him and collaborate on this song called 'Panchiyaan.'

5. When was the last time you were in a bus - In college, I think.