Excerpts:
1. What was the reason behind this music multiverse?
VSH: Throughout history, I have witnessed the prioritisation of music taking a backseat in the grand scheme of things. Initially, comic books claimed the spotlight, and only much later, with the emergence of technology, did those very comic book tales evolve into grand cinematic spectacles. Music, unfortunately, always found itself relegated to a mere background element. I yearned for a different sequence — a sequence where a song would take the lead, possessing enough potency to give birth to a superhero short film, a comic book, and ultimately, a video game. And so, “Run Run Run,” my latest single, emerged, serving as the catalyst for the birth of the indigenous superhero known as “Run Storm” and its various multiversal elements. What was really wonderful was my ‘running superhero’, Milind Soman, liking the song and running to it!
2. Describe your favourite and least favourite part about being a musician.
A: My favourite part of being a musician is the ability to express oneself creatively, connect with an audience on an emotional level, and have the power to inspire and uplift others through music. Music and global Radio has given me many gifts. Being a world record breaking singer, the first indian charting across various country radio /streaming charts and of course winning international awards for my book + album Nine. My latest release has taught me so much about the multiverse. It has been so rewarding to use 3D animation and technology like Dolby Atmos to create immersiveness.
The least favourite part of being a musician is the unpredictable nature of the industry, with its challenges of financial instability, intense competition, perhaps now from real and AI creations and yes, the constant work needed… to constantly produce and stay relevant.
3. What message do you want to give to your listener?
A: Through my music, I strive to instil a sense of modern day hope and optimism within listeners’ hearts. I want my melodies to wrap around them like energy pills, lifting their spirits and igniting flames of ambition. With each note and lyric, I aim to create a sanctuary of hope-energy, reminding them that brighter days await. I want my music to be a guiding light, illuminating the path towards resilience, strength, and unwavering optimism. All in all, inspiring listeners to believe in the power of their own dreams and not giving up on the beauty of tomorrow.
4. What type of musician would you prefer to collaborate with?
A: I want to collaborate with musicians who are open to trying new engaging ways to win over audiences. I created the world’s first music multiverse to create a fertile backdrop for other musicians to use their persona and songs and take the episodic story of Run Storm forward. Since I am actively seeking this collaboration and talking to many musicians. I find 2 types of people. One group, who is very happy where they are, producing exactly the way they do with literally no idea of how audiences are changing and another group who always keep the audience as their guiding light! I prefer the latter and it’s not easy, but I am seeing sparks of hope in artists in various countries.
5. Tell me something about your future projects?
A: I have 2 large areas of focus. The first is to take my book ‘Nine’ and find ways to get the 9 stories made into film/OTT. My Comic book Run Storm is again in the same territory. I am seeking collaborations and building the influence of the same and then approach alliances for film/ott.
The second is to continue to create new songs in new genres of music/radio which has been the foundation of my success globally. Each genre opens up new learnings in creativity and technology not to mention business viability for my music. After releasing chart topping global music in Pop40, HipHop, Rock, R&B, Country, Gospel, Electro pop, Adult Contemporary, I am now working on ‘World Ethnic pop’ and excited to use a new sound/message that is both relevant to a global listener but has a distinct flavour of the spirituality/purity of the indian classical genre.
