Celebrated for her fusion of Sufi/Indian folks and up to date music, singer-songwriter Devika lately joined forces with Grammy-nominated composer and producer Michael Brook for their new collaboration ‘Wisteria’. The poignant Punjabi ballad, with its common themes of unrequited love and restlessness, blends Devika’s emotive vocal melodies with Michael’s timeless manufacturing.
The collaboration began with Devika listening to a couple brief guitar sketches from Michael’s library. The one which spoke to her was referred to as ‘Wisty’ — it impressed her to create a melody and lyric. “The song is a heartfelt expression of love, longing and restlessness. It was a reminder of past bittersweet moments,” says Devika.
In her youth, Devika was obsessed with Night Song, a collaboration between Michael and Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Nominated for the Best Global Music Performance Grammy Award, it was the primary album to mix the sounds of conventional Eastern folks singing with new-age Western electronica. Needless to say, she was thrilled when she received the chance to fulfill Michael in his residence studio and begin working with him.
Singer Devika
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Special Arrangement
Itwas a satisfying, interconnected music writing course of. Devika would report vocals and ship them over to Michael. Her vocals impressed extra compositional growth from him, equivalent to including the violin, guitar and different devices. Those additions would form her subsequent iteration. “It was an open and exploratory process — we weren’t trying to restrict ourselves to any specific formula, format or genre; we were just creating something that was meaningful and impactful for both,” she recollects.
The collaboration resulted in a soulful Punjabi ballad that blends conventional roots with a up to date really feel. “It is full of surprises and has unique elements – vocals that transition varying levels of intensity, and a rich palette of music – nylon string guitar, 12-string guitar, bass, cello, violin and string instruments,” provides Devika.
Trained in Hindustani classical music, Devika has been collaborating throughout genres, together with with famend artistes equivalent to Bohemia, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash, and Mike Klooster of Smash Mouth. Her tracks ‘Jab se piya’ and ‘Mast qalandar’”, had been submitted for Best Global Music Performance class on the Grammys. The San Francisco-based, New Delhi-born artiste’s voice additionally options on Apple’s iMovie App’s Bollywood Trailer.
Michael has beforehand collaborated with artistes equivalent to Brian Eno, The Edge, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Youssou N’Dour, Hukwe Zawose and The Pogues. His latest manufacturing of Chain of Light, consisting of rediscovered recordings from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was The Guardian’s World Album of The Year for 2024. He has additionally collaborated on movie scores for Into the Wild, The Fighter, Brooklyn and Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Michael was first uncovered to Indian music via little snippets in songs by The Beatles. “Both the sounds of the instruments and the element of expression in the transitions between notes, such as gliding, deeply appealed to me. I don’t know why,” says Michael. Later, he started making an attempt so as to add a few of these expressive components to his guitar taking part in, however was restricted by the truth that a guitar doesn’t maintain that lengthy. In 1972, he noticed musician Bill Nelson play with an EBow that electronically bowed the strings, giving extra maintain, which allowed for extra concentrate on the transitions between notes. When Michael ordered one, his order received misplaced. He determined to create one thing alongside related strains. “The device I came up with, the Infinite Guitar, worked out very well for me and became an integral part of my music,” he elaborates. The Infinite Guitar has additionally been immortalised in U2’s ‘With or Without You’.
Devika has some thrilling collaborations and concert events within the works. Michael has some concert events for the fortieth anniversary of his first solo album, Hybrid. He can also be engaged on music for a brand new album. “I also hope that Devika and I can do another collaboration, as this one turned out so well, and the process was enjoyable,” he concludes.
Published – April 23, 2025 06:30 pm IST
