Exclusive Interview with Vineet

How would you classify your music?

I would classify my music as always hopeful always having the energy of dreams fulfilled and unfulfilled

Who are some of your top 5 musical influences?

Musically I would say the top synth pop bands of the 80s like A-Ha, Human League and vocally the Rock gods of the 70s and 80s like Sammy Hagar, David Coverdale, Ian Gillan. Among the new artists I admire the vocal ability of Bruno Mars.

What do you want fans to take from your music?

I want them to become part of their own stories and motivations. My music can be a mirror and an escape but it is never ‘separate’. It is entwined in my fans’ dreams.

How’s the music scene in your locale?

In India there is very little scope for mainstream English music. Either it is all local film based mass ‘Bollywood music” or extremely ‘niche’ Indie. I have always been inspired by main stream ‘English’ music that does well on Top 40 radio globally.

When did you know you were destined for music?

Well I still don’t know that, it is a journey not a destination. If you do well you are destined for it, if not well then you are only hoping destiny is kind. So far destiny has shown me a path, a good path, but I am nowhere close to the destination.

What is the best concert you have been to?

What do you like most about playing live? – The U2 Joshua tree tour in Mumbai in December 2019. Live is the only way for an artist to really enjoy his / her music. Appreciation from fans in a crowd can never be replicated digitally!

Is there a song on your latest CD release here that stands out as your personal favorite, and why?

 My new single DREAMIN’ OUT LOUD is something where all my influences have come together in perfect proportion. It has given me a new age ‘synth pop / rock’ sound. I feel this is a sound design I can do well in . 

How have you evolved as an artist over the last year?

Over the last year I have realized , TIME is the greatest gift for an artist and you must use it to create and not indulge in negative thoughts. Danger is real but fear is not. Music helps strengthen faith, which is the cure for fear

If you could meet, play a gig, co-write a song, have dinner, have a drink with any band or artist (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

I would love to write/sing/perform a song with Bruno Mars or love to jam with David Coverdale!  

What’s next for you?

The new music and hopefully the fans will decide – I’m not in control of that –  they are! . All I know is my dreams are like horses – they can’t be held back and my music helps them run free!

What are your greatest achievements in music or otherwise – Being an independent artist from India, I managed to cross 1 million streams on spotify in 2020, my largest listener base being in the US. This is a big deal for me for the radio audience in the US, UK and rest of Europe to enjoy my music. I am a Harvard business school alumnus and I feel without strategy, music is just a ‘luck game’ and I am happy to be able to apply what I have learnt

What are you most grateful for in music?

Last year my song MASK was submitted in consideration for a grammy  – Though I didn’t make the nomination, it still felt special to be in the top 150 songs globally from over 35000 entries. I am also grateful to my family for accepting my need to be in music.

Where will your music take you?

Apart from my solo music , I am also part of my family band with my 14 year old twins. The band is called ‘AVNI VIR VINEET’. I am so thrilled to see their 2 singles ‘TWENTY TWENTY” and “CANT WAIT” top the global indie radio charts in 2020. I am happy i can assist them in their music journey and that is a great place my music has taken me to.

End of Interview