Dream hunter
Mona
Dare to dreams and the dreams do come true... is the story of Punjab boy Rahul Lakhanpal! Come September, and you shall hear this architecture engineer's song at the credits of The Tiger Hunter, no mean feat that Rahul achieved through a series of ups and down. Know him more:
From the scratch
I completed my Bachelor of Architecture degree from GNDU, Amritsar and Master of Science degree in Texas, USA. I am still working full time as a Project Engineer in an electric utilities company in California. Music is going on the side right now but with a full force. Whatever time I have after my workday or on the weekends is 100 per cent dedicated to music (composing, producing, rehearsing, music videos, studio recordings, live shows, networking with people, music marketing). I am waiting for the right time to do music fulltime, and I strongly believe that time is almost there.
Love for Sufi rock
Sufi Rock is an amalgamation of Sufi and rock music. The outcome is beautiful. I feel that Sufi Rock music is very devotional, soulful and eternal. My goal is to make music which is timeless.
Love Punjab
I am very attached to my roots, my culture and Punjab. I love India, and my people. I try to visit India every year. In 2016 I visited twice, and the reason was music both the times. I am fortunate to be associated to music as it keeps me close to my roots. Ludhiana is very close to my heart, and there are countless memories of this beautiful city. I grew up here, did most of my schooling, started learning music, and most of my friends and family live in Ludhiana area.
Friends & family
My family, friends, my gurus/teachers, Suresh Wadkar ji for his continuous mentorship and support, producer Nazia Khan who got me the opportunity to work in Hollywood film project The Tiger Hunter. And definitely the almighty God.
Hollywood ho
We composed and produced three tracks out of which one was selected by The Tiger Hunter team as the main credits track. The film is scheduled to release worldwide on September 22, 2017. The song genre is 1970's Chicago Blues-influenced by legendary Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame inductees and Chicago Blues artists such as Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters.
Bolly versus Holly
I want to work both in Bollywood and Hollywood, and feel that it's doable. Most of my music is produced either in Mumbai or Pakistan and it's all done remotely. The only key is good communication and staying on the top of things. When I released my debut single with T-Series I managed that project while sitting here in the US. The credits track for the Hollywood film was produced in the USA and mix mastered in Pakistan. With the availability of advanced technology physical presence is not mandatory anymore. My debut single Ik Chehra was selected by T-Series and did really well in the market. It has crossed over 1 million organic views on YouTube. It is a Sufi Rock tune symbolising The Chase; An endless pursuit for the face, the pursuit of liberation, a chase for lost love, a cry for peace. Both the countries have different work culture in music. Indian music industry is mainly focused on Bollywood film music. There is not much scope for other genres or individual musicians or music. Even though there are many great individual artists in different genres, they don't get the deserved recognition until they are exposed in Bollywood. Music scene in the USA is much bigger, and every type of music, genre has its own space to breathe, and its own audiences, and listeners.
Major influenecs
I started learning at the age of 11 from Professor CL Bhalla in Ludhiana, and was trained in classical and light classical genres. While growing up, I listened to maestros such as Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ghulam Ali, Mohd Rafi, and Ustad Salamt Ali Khan. Following those legends taught me a lot about sufi music, ghazals, and classical. In the US I learnt Semi classical from Sharmistha Banerjee based in Florida, and Sufi and Folk styles from Sukhdev Sahil in California.
UP next
Few months back I was also approached by the North Indian Film Producer's Guild and Wild Wind Productions represented by Sanjeev Gharoo. Gharoo, fell in love with my song O Re Piya, and wanted to use it in his upcoming film Modern Majnuu. This song will be the theme song of the film.
mona@tribunemail.com
