Something More Than Fusion ...
by Beena Ahmad

Falu (Falguni Shah) was first introduced to me on a flyer as the lead singer of a “Hindi rock” band. I thought, in my head, “Rock on, sister, yea,” thinking that I had a pretty good idea of what Hindi rock might sound like. You throw some crashing guitars into a Bollywood score. You pump up the volume and keep the choreography, or you just sing rockin’ ballads in Hindi, or something. Isn’t that how cultural fusion works? Through a recent chat with Falu over Gmail Chat, I came to understand the limitations of the word “fusion” as applied to the art I’ve been seeing and hearing recently from Asians and Asian-Americans living in the States. Falu and her band (which consists of Mark Tewarson on guitar, Justin Wallace on bass, Borahm Lee on keyboards, Greg Gonzalez on drums, Satyan Shah on tabla and Gaurav on vocals, harmonium and flute) have successfully captivated desis and non-desis alike in New York City with a unique sound that isn’t really the bending of two different entities into a forced unity, nor is it a simple co-existence, like curry and chips or a chai latte.

What Falu has accomplished is much more organic, yet at the same time, it is so consciously created. It’s the product of her open mind and creative spirit tapping into the bountiful influences all around her – whether American or Indian – and synthesizing something that can’t be called one or the other. As such, Falu’s classically trained vocals easily lead rock ballads, Hindi refrains naturally slide into English lyrics, and you can’t help thinking that the tabla was a natural brother to the bass. The result isn’t experimental, translate: “Let’s try mixing this chutney with the pasta sauce and see what happens.” As Falu told me, it’s experiential, which means that what you’re in for is a carefully orchestrated journey where the East and the West gently overlap like waves. This must be the world through Falu’s eyes, and what radiant, warm and inviting eyes they are.

Check out Falu's website for upcoming news and performances and Falu's mySpace Profile for a sample of Falu’s latest. Meanwhile, take a gander at some parts of our conversation with Falu.

EGO: First of all, I want to get out there that something some music journalist out there is going to coin the “Falu Phenomenon” is underway. (Let me beat him or her to it).
Falu: That's an interesting term - I have to digest that one :)

EGO: I first caught your show at Pianos in December on a Saturday night and you had a pretty decent turnout. One month later at the Mercury Lounge, and girl, you were able to pack the house on a Monday night.
Falu: We really love playing the New York club venues - they're exhilarating!

EGO: What has been the toughest challenge in breaking into the NYC music scene?
Falu: That's a great question. So many challenges. First of all, New Yorkers are exposed to so many styles of music, and trying to break something new and untested takes a lot of teamwork, patience and a bit of persistence. I think the toughest challenge has been and continues to be creating something that has quality and is meant to last.

EGO: So, what brought you to New York? And when did you arrive?
Falu: I first came from Bombay as a visiting lecturer of Indian classical music at Tufts (Boston) in 2000 I later came to New York because it's the place to try something different.

EGO: Would you say that 2000 marked the year that you transitioned from classical music into focusing on stuff that's more contemporary, more experimental, in a genre all on its own ... which I believe you refer to as Hindi rock?

Falu: Yeah that sounds about right, although there was no definite transition point. I don't think we've yet finalized an exact term - if you have one in mind let me know : ) The music draws mostly from Indie Rock and Indian classical music styles with a spice of Bollywood and pop.

EGO: I don't have a word in mind-- you break too many categories. Maybe, Hindi rock 'n Bollywood roll?
Falu: I like that term. How about Raag 'n Roll?

EGO: I read somewhere that you're not a fan of the word "fusion" to describe your music. Can you explain?
Falu: To me, the word "fusion sounds" experimental and not experiential. I think the best example I can give is that of North Indian classical music, which came into being in present form perhaps 600 years ago, and which draws beautifully from Carnatic music elements as well as Persian and Arabic music elements, and is an experience, not an experiment.

This is the path I want to follow also - to create music that is honest to both Eastern and Western styles, and at the same time has its own identity.

EGO: How would you say a musician stays "true" and "honest" to a tradition of music?
Falu: For example, we have a song called "In the Rain" that takes a well-known semi-classical piece called "Bhigi jaau" about a woman waiting for her beloved in the rain. The song (in English) arises almost directly out of that aesthetic both melodically and lyrically, and tries to capture a Western singer-songwriter style as well as retain the essence of that semi-classical piece. There are filters in place in the band to try and ensure that, and needless to say it's not always easy ; )

EGO: So it's kind of like the art of translation? You need the interpretation but you can't stray too far from the original...
Falu: That's one nice way to think about it - but I guess for this particular song it's an interpretation of mood and writing a new song based on that mood, and not so much translating lyrics. Again this is just one example – other songs have different points of origin.

EGO: What draws you the most to a song?
Falu: Great melody and lyrics.

EGO: Do you have any favorite songwriters?
Falu: That's a fun one. Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and the Beatles. Also in Bollywood music I'm a huge fan of R.D. Burman (melody) and Gulzar (lyrics).

EGO: Since you brought up Bollywood, I need to ask – which film do you think has the best soundtrack?
Falu: Tough call - I guess my favorite soundtrack is an older film called Amar Prem, with the songs "Raina biti jaaye" and "Kuch to log"

EGO: How old were you when you started training in classical music?
Falu: Age 3

EGO: Needless to say, your parents must have supported you in this endeavor? Do you come from a musical family?
Falu: Yes, fortunately my parents have been very supportive, and my mother was also a classical singer herself.

EGO:And you studied under Ustad Sultan Khan, right? Has he heard any of the music you've put out while you've been in the States?
Falu: Yes. He heard two songs (unreleased) when he was here last and he seemed to really like them.

EGO: Do you imagine you'll always continue performing the classical pieces alongside the sound that you're creating all on your own?
Falu: Yes – classical music is a way of life for me – I think it, eat it and breathe it. I'm doing some work as an Indian ambassador of music through Carnegie Hall - including a show at Zankel Hall (at Carnegie) that brings pure classical Indian music to children.

EGO: You have collaborated with others, Karyshma, Karsh Kale, Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project, when can we expect an album out of you?
Falu: I'm in the studio now finishing up, so in the next few months. The band and I are very excited.

EGO: And lately, you've been collaborating with DJ Rekha here in NY. Can we expect any more Bollywood Discos featuring Falu?
Falu: DJ Rekha is a very talented artist, and I'm a fan of hers. We're planning on working together again, not just in NYC but in other cities as well, and I look forward to it.

EGO: How much longer can we expect you to stick around New York and grace our bars and clubs?
Falu: Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker.

EGO: Ain’t that the truth.
Falu: Amen.