Saturday, 29 May 2021 | Team Viva
Playback singer Shalmali Kholgade’s foray into independent English music has proven fruitful so far. Her song with Sunidhi Chauhan, Here is Beautiful, was nominated to the Vh1 Summer League 2021 and is in the fray to be declared 2021’s Summer Anthem by Vh1. Team Viva caught up with Shalmali for a quick chat
What got you into music?
There is so much I could say, but I will try to keep this short. I love being on stage and I love singing. That feeling when I get on stage, in front of people, that’s the reason why I’m a singer. I like being on the stage more than I like being in a studio. I knew I had to be in the performing arts, since when I was little, but it was in college that I realised I’m going to be a musician.
Which song has been the most challenging one for you and why?
I would say Here is Beautiful has been the most challenging one for me, yet. It was challenging in terms of the arrangement of the song since it’s not just something that I sang. I composed and wrote it independently. There was a certain maturity that came with this experience since I didn’t approach it as I would usually do, as a playback singer. Here is Beautiful had a very different sonic soundscape. When I composed it, it was just on the piano, now it has a totally different avatar from when I first envisioned it.
Tell us about your song — Here is Beautiful? How was it working with Sunidhi Chauhan on this?
My love for my partner was what inspired the song. I wrote it as a gift for him, on a special occasion. I thought having Sunidhi sing it with me would really be the cherry on the cake. She was kind enough to agree and that’s how we got down to doing the track, with no intention of releasing it. We had no idea that it would turn out to be so big and that it would be on the Times Square Billboard one day! No, we didn’t have any such aspirations in mind, but working with Sunidhi to do something as organic and honest as Here is Beautiful made me really happy. Nothing comes close to the experience of working with your idol. The kind of energy she brings into a room is unparalleled. It is well known how crazy she is about music, she simply can’t see anything beyond it. Words fall short in describing the experience of working with her but it’s been like a dream come true.
What were your feelings when Here is Beautiful appeared on the Times Square Billboard?
The first time I came across those pictures, I thought for a moment that these were photoshopped; it almost seemed like someone was playing a massive prank on me. When my team called me and said that it was true, that it was actually happening, I was taken aback. I hadn’t even dreamt of being on the Times Square Billboard. Not so early into my stint in the independent English music scene, at least.
How do you feel about the song competing with Olivia Rodrigo’s Driver’s License at Vh1 Summer League 2021?
I’m not a competitive person at all, to begin with. That is why I haven’t been on any reality shows or competitions, except for the competitions I signed up for when I was in college. I think this is the first time I’m part of a serious competition and it is making me feel very funny inside. For me, it’s a big win just to be on the same page as these incredible artists and I have immense respect for every one of them. To hear my song being talked about in the same vein as Olivia’s, I still can’t get over this giddy feeling. To be a part of Vh1 Summer League, a platform graced by superstars such Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Bruno Mars, in itself is a big win for me.
Having said that, while I am not very competitive, I would be bringing everything I’ve got to the table with this League and I won’t give up without a fight!
What’s next for you?
Here is Beautiful is a single from my album 2X Side A. Currently, I am working on my next album 2X Side B, which will be released later this year. A couple of years back, I composed music for a Marathi film and it is releasing this year. Apart from that, I am really excited that I have several album releases lined up for this year. I’m not satisfied with releasing just one song and talking about that song incessantly. I want to give people an album to listen to because that’s how I grew up, listening to albums. I love listening to the entire discography or the complete album that an artiste puts out. I want to be that artiste for others like me.
