Just came back from an absolutely fabulous Kailasa concert @ Stern grove-SFO. This is a series of free concerts that happens in the summer. There were close to 8000 people today - probably 50% non-indians and the scenes were unbelievable. Before the concert began though - there was a 30 minute meeting in a house close to the venue with Kailash Kher and his group members - the first 10 mins were introductions and insight into his music and the host was asking questions about his music style, life and influences. After that they allowed the audience to ask questions and I was fortunate enough to not just ask 1 but 2 questions.
I asked him who amongst all of the people he has worked with he enjoys the most - he was actually thrilled with the question and of course (you must have guessed who it is) - it was *none other than ARR* who he enjoys the most. He told the audience that he is nervous when he goes to ARR's studio because there are always surprises as to what ARR wants - he will just let you sing however u interpret the song first and then put in his bit of suggestions et al. He went on for probably a minute and half speaking about ARR. He also enjoys working with Salim-Sulaiman and Vishal Shekhar (one of the first people he worked with and who gave him a break in this industry). I also asked him him the news in the media about him singing for Couples Retreat - he dismissed the Indian media completely and said that he has only sung 4 lines in one song for ARR and that its completely an ARR album. He also dismissed having done any work with Eddie Vedder (another rumor on the block) - there are plans but nothing firm. Someone else asked him about his favorite singers and surprise surprise - *the first name was ARR again*. He said that I know lot of people find his voice unconventional but to him thats ARR's singing his what is from the soul. I was absolutely thrilled at his responses - managed to get his autograph as well and wished him more n more songs with ARR :-) -- -A http://viewsnmuse.blogspot.com
