To live is to experiment

Fierce, fantastic and a fashion darling, she is a self-confessed “rock ‘n’ roll chick at heart”, brought up on a diet of rock ‘n’ roll music at home, thanks to her folks.

As a far cry from the newbie singer who made the cut with the all-girls pop band Viva in 2002, the leggy Anushka Manchanda has made her mark through foot-tapping renditions in Dum Maaro Dum, Apna Har Din, Allah Duhai Hai...

“I have grown up listening to Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple. My parents had a big collection of AC/DC, Iron Butterfly,” recalls Anushka with a smile.  Cut to 2015. She has been working with ace music directors like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Salim-Sulaiman. “It has been quite crazy since Viva was dissolved, actually. Initially I had no idea what I was doing, but, over the years, I learnt on the job. It is a very competitive industry, but I work hard and I feel like I am blessed. There is still so much to do. Singing with all the music directors whose work I have admired, loved and respected for so many years is an honour. And every song I do with them is a coup for me.”

She has been making news for her fashion-meets-grunge looks as much as for her songs she has video-blogged on her own YouTube channel. They have been setting the music charts on fire. “As a musician, it is always amazing to work with other musicians, no matter where they come from. I have jammed with musicians from all over the world and have already collaborated with a few. Singing for music directors for commercial films is also a collaboration. There is so much to learn from them. My focus now is on becoming a stronger commercial singer,” is her explanation.

Anushka swears that there is more to her than singing and performing on stage, and that you will see soon! “My brother Shikhar and I have also wrapped up music for an advertisement recently. That’s another interesting avenue opening up,”  she says.

What about collaborating with foreign artistes on crossover albums? “I have connected with Chicane and Akcent before, and I am currently working on a track for a senior international producer. I have  worked on tunes with Indian DJs and producers Anish Sood, Nanok, Ash and Ashvin (ex-Jalebee Cartel), as well as Mikey McCleary,” she shares. As for Shkabang, her Indie electro-rock band, it is pretty dormant at the moment. “All the musicians, including myself, are busy with their own independent projects,” she confesses. Does she believe training as a singer scores over spontaneous singing? “Well, I was trained to play piano, which has helped me immensely. Spontaneous singing that comes from within is lovely. Kishore Kumar is the best example of that. Even training yourself and rehearsing helps. I simply love Rekha Bharadwaj and her style. The texture of her voice is so beautifully raw!” enthuses Anushka.

She has been told that the texture of her voice sets her apart from other singers, and she adds that “over the years I have learnt to modulate my voice and render it in different ways.”
If you hear some of her jingles, you will be unable to recognise her voice. “I’m grateful for this gift and thank God every day for giving me a good set of vocal chords and the ability to get on stage and  perform live,” she adds.

So, are we going to see her on the television soon, perhaps as a celebrity judge on a music show? “Perhaps,” is her emphatic answer. “I am always open to trying something new, as long as it excites me! And, as I always say, be sure of your skill and your talent, and never let go of any opportunity. Though my secret dream is to sing Dude Looks Like A Lady with Steven Tyler and Aerosmith on stage! ”