In search of new sounds

Saniya Pasricha

Having taken the world of electronic fusion by storm, solo recording artist, producer, composer, and DJ Karsh Kale has taken upon yet another role. This time he hosts the much-celebrated docu-travelogue music show The Dewarists. On various episodes, the Renaissance Man will take us along on a journey with two artistes from absolutely different musical backgrounds. Tinkering with each other’s musical style, the duo will travel to one particular destination in India and create music. Aboard his bandwagon are artistes like Benny Dayal, Clinton Cerejo, Dub Sharma, Bianca Gomes, Deepak Ramola, Ankur Tewari, Prateek Kuhad, Dhruv Ghanekar, Mame Khan, Nucleya, Papon and Amit Trivedi.

The New York raised-and-based artiste, who is known to have a massive influence over an entire generation, talks to us on what’s coming up on the show and in life.

Dewarists is back after a gap of two years. What do we expect?

I think, this season, the conversation is more towards who are The Dewarists of today versus those in the making. They have chosen some seasoned artistes who have already established themselves in the music world. This hopefully allows for the experience of collaboration to go deeper.

With Karsh Kale — the man who defies genres — at the helm, how are things going to change from the last seasons?

I don’t think I am involved to change anything. I think the whole idea has been consolidated to its finest parts and I am just there to help tell the story.

You guys will be travelling a lot for the show. How does a place affect the music?

Geography, landscapes and vibes of the place where music is being made always play a role in informing creativity. It’s a very different experience when you know you are not going home that night.

The show moves from the big TV to digital space this time. How will that affect viewership?

Well, I would assume the hardcore fans and curious audience will continue to follow the episodes. In this day and age, shows like these have a myriad of avenues to reach people in the digital platform.

Born in Britain, raised in New York… How challenging has it been for you here? Also, how do you manage the struggle of shuttling from NY to India?

Although travelling/touring itself can be taxing, I don’t really see clear borders between the places I exist in... There is no struggle if you see it all as one world and one varied and complex experience.

Talking of the 20 years of your career, how do you evaluate yourself? Do you sometimes look back?

I try not to evaluate myself.... I simply continue to challenge myself to try to do more until I get bored and move on. I would rather concentrate on what is to come than what has already happened.

Any albums in the pipeline?

A new solo album is in the works with the Collective. Besides, I am producing an album for Amaan and Ayaan Ali Khan. Yeah, a few interesting things in the pipeline!

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Chartbuster

His remix of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Give Peace a Chance broke records moving into Billboard’s Top 10 dance charts

Collaborations

Kale has worked with many international artistes, including Sting, Herbie Hancock, Anoushka Shankar, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. Karsh has released six solo albums along with several collaborations, live projects, EPs and remixes. In 2011, at a tribute concert for George Harrison, he shared stage with Alicia Keys, the Black Keys and Norah Jones.

The tabla man

Kale’s brilliant understanding of the tabla is something the listeners are completely bowled over with. He is known to have not only mastered the complexities of the instrument, but also explored the versatility of the tabla. In 2000, he collaborated with the American bassist Bil Laswell and the tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and became part of a project called ‘Tabla Beat Science’.