In love with music

Bright future

Platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud have opened up new doors for aspiring musicians like Madhuvanthi Padmanabhan.

 The youngster says there isn’t a second when a song isn’t playing in her head. Even though she has a hectic schedule, the architect makes time to put up videos on these platforms and hopes to become a musician one day.

In a chat with AnanyaRevanna, she talks about the impact of music on her life and how the digital era has changed the face of music.

How did you find your passion for music?

My father always sang his favourite Tamil songs to me as a kid and I loved singing along with him. Every time he played those songs on the cassette player, I would sit next to the speakers and sing along.

Those were my initial stages of singing. When I was about six years old, we moved to China.
There, I began learning Carnatic music and this was when I formally began singing. I didn’t know if that was what I wanted to do at the time, but it felt right and I felt like myself whenever I sang.

Do you want to pursue music as a profession? 

I was always a shy child and couldn’t sing to anyone, including my parents. Throughout my school years, I have moved from town to town every two or three years. Since we spent most of our time up North, I used to listen to a lot of Hindi songs. I found myself trying to mimic tonal qualities of Alka Yagnik or Lata Mangeshkar, although only in the bathroom where no one could hear me (or so I thought).

It was only after we moved to Bengaluru, when I was 14, that I took interest in English music. I was inspired by the popular TV series Hannah Montana. This was when I developed the desire to pursue it as a career and I continue to hold on to that aspiration.

Do you think it’s easier for musicians now, in the digital era?

Well, it has definitely given musicians the opportunity to express themselves freely and grab attention. However, the competition is also tougher than before. It’s hard to get viewers or listeners unless you have professional quality videos and sound clips on platforms such as YouTube or SoundCloud.

Your favourite musicians.

I listen to all kinds of genres and I have a wide range of musicians I love. However, there are a few I tend to listen to more than others. Etta James and Tracy Chapman are my all-time favourites. Both these women were known for their bold voice and deep lyrics.

Do you lean more towards covers or originals?

I have a book dedicated to originals with around 21 songs so far.
I began posting originals on YouTube, after a friend suggested I should do so. Only after I created an account did I start looking at other YouTubers and what they do. I loved a lot of the covers and I wanted to do my own rendition of those songs. When I cover a song, I always try to do it in a different style.

Do you think there is a market for covers?

Definitely! I’ve had people tell me that they’ve liked my cover of a song better than the original. Covers are the best way to attract viewers. People know the song and you have the chance of your cover showing up in the search forums when they look for it.

Right now, you keep your videos simple with acoustic sounds. Any plans to get more elaborate?

Yes. But I enjoy doing solo instrument covers at the moment so I haven’t really looked at any other instruments. However, I do plan to collaborate with other musicians.

Why do you like music?

I feel music. When I say this, I mean that I feel every single emotion in a soundtrack. I could be sad listening to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Photograph’ one moment and dance to Kid Cudi’s ‘Erase Me’ the next. That’s the power of music and that’s why l love it!
 
Lyrics or melodies?

I don’t have a preference; I like them both. It depends on my mood, the weather or the location. I associate music to what is happening around me.