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1. What were some of your early musical influences that shaped your career?
My earliest inspiration for music came when I began playing the guitar in college, covering bands like Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, Metallica, and Bryan Adams (a favorite among the girls). Growing up in a small town in India, I was also deeply influenced by A.R. Rahman’s amazing compositions—the only film music I was interested in at the time—along with the indie pop scene of the '90s, which featured great music videos on TV. Later, moving to Delhi at the age of 22, watching independent bands play their own music in clubs motivated me even more to pursue this creative path.
In hindsight, my love for music began even earlier. I used to watch old movies with my grandmother, who was a huge Shammi Kapoor fan. I vividly remember watching "Junglee," "Professor," and "Kashmir Ki Kali" over and over because of the incredible music and Shammi's charismatic dance moves.
2. What motivated you to pursue a solo career, and how has the transition been for you?
The real motivation was the search for new adventures in life. I get easily bored of routines or business-oriented structures, and I felt it was time to jump into the unknown with only the songs I held dear. I wanted to take my artistic pursuit to a different level without being confined by my past work.
The transition has been intense and transformative. Shifting my life entirely for songs I believe in has been a rewarding yet scary experience. This journey has made me grow personally, and it’s taught me to know and accept myself. Ultimately, it was all about testing my limits and shaking things up.
3. Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you find inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?
My songwriting process is simple: wake up, make a good cup of coffee, and get to work. There's nothing better than showing up for that inner voice every day. It usually starts with the guitar—when I land on a great riff, I keep playing it until I find the right vocal melody to go along with it. That moment is unbeatable.
The inspiration for lyrics and melodies comes when I am ready for it, and that readiness is about being persistent. Writing starts with the guitar, and from there, my voice guides the kind of feelings and ideas the music evokes in me. I also maintain a diary of lyrical ideas, a process that happens constantly. For me, the lyrics usually come last, but the creation of musical pieces is an everyday endeavor.
4. What was the creative vision behind your debut solo album 'Shakhsiyat'? How did you decide on its unique sound and themes?
The vision for 'Shakhsiyat' was to represent my artistic identity in its truest and rawest form. I wanted it to be a no-nonsense album with loud guitars and drums that tell real stories. It had to be authentic, grungy, dirty, and raw—uncompromisingly me.
The uniqueness of 'Shakhsiyat' comes from its focus on pure artistic satisfaction, breaking free from expectations. I played all the guitars on the album, which was the coolest thing I've done. For me, it's all about the riffs—endless riffs combined with my pop songwriting, making it something I’m truly proud of. It’s my “naughty child” because there were no rules followed while making it.
5. What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your musical career, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been going against the societal pressures and staying true to my artistic vision, even when it's difficult. The world often tries to put us in a competitive box, reducing us to mere numbers. In a world where people who don't create art have strong opinions about those who do, it takes courage to keep going.
But I am eternally optimistic. My belief that "This can’t be it" keeps me motivated. I've met many good people along the way, and being part of a supportive community has helped me immensely. My advice is to not judge yourself or your art too much and to embrace failure. Don't listen too closely to others' opinions—most of what's popular today is not always great art.
6. What are your future plans and projects? Are there any collaborations or new genres you're excited to explore?
I’m full of ideas and plans. As I write this, I'm gearing up to release my second album, "Chaltey Purzay," on September 29th. It's very different from my first album, and I'm excited about that. To put out two albums in two years, each with distinct sonic flavors, has been incredibly fulfilling.
"Chaltey Purzay" features eight songs, and three singles—"Kismet," "Badshah Zero," and "Farzi Kirdaar"—are already streaming. This album represents my reflections on the world and is my most outward-looking work to date. For those who still care for my music, I believe you’ll enjoy the different lyrical and sonic journey it takes you on, filled with my own blend of rock-pop energy, humor, and plenty of guitar riffs. Good art takes time, and that's why this album turned out just right.
7. Out of all the concerts you've performed at, which one stands out as your favorite and why?
One of my favorite concerts was at G5A in Mumbai in May. We played to a packed house, and it was a magical experience—I felt completely in the zone with my band. We played a lot of unreleased music and had long, impromptu jams, which made it feel like everything had clicked. It reassured me that I'm on the right path. Plus, the fact that we got properly drunk afterward didn’t hurt. It was a perfect gig.
Bio:
For the last two decades, Raman Negi has earned a reputation as a singer-songwriter creating music that defies trends, genres, language, and themes. With his solo project, he is now redefining what it means to be an independent artist. Rooted in self-discovery, Raman is focused on building a unique artistry, reflecting his journey of unlearning and relearning in recent years.
Raman's first solo album, Shakhsiyat, showcases his raw, unfiltered emotions across ten diverse rock tracks. It features everything from a rant against pseudo-wokeness to a ballad about lost childhood dreams. The album tells stories he has long wanted to share but hadn't been able to—until now.
His second album, Chaltey Purzay, is more outward-looking, chronicling his observations about the world through eight new tracks. Set for release in September 2024, it captures his evolving vision as an artist.
While promoting Shakhsiyat, Raman completed two successful tour stints across India and is now preparing for global performances. He is also featured on some of the most well-curated festival lineups since its release, bringing his unique musical journey to a wider audience.
Interviewed by: Prashant
Edited by: Mishika Goel
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