Are you on the lookout for a new song to add to your playlist? Singer Zachary Ray’s new single, “Danger,” is sure to fit the bill. Ray has collaborated with Siddarth Basrur for this Pop Rock number in English, which happens to be his eighteenth single. Billboard charting producer Brandon Bee is credited with doing the music and production, along with Nathan Walters.
“Danger is a song and a collaboration with my friend and artist from India, Siddharth Basrur. I wrote this about our current state in the world. There is so much negativity around us with an ongoing war and a global pandemic. In times of strife, everyone has someone in their lives who immediately brings a sense of calm. It’s a person that we cling to in times of danger. “This song denotes that,” says Ray.
Having developed a passion for music and singing at a young age, Ray studied vocal performance and music business at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Ray sees music as a tool of transformation and healing for people around the world. For twelve years, he’s been teaching and training aspiring musicians. For ten out of those twelve years, he has lived in India, teaching at the Calcutta School of Music. He started a company in 2015 called Chaitown Creatives, which is now known as the Chaitown Community.
His love for music and desire to share his story through lyrics led him into song writing and recording his original music, working alongside friends and artists like Jody McBrayer (Avalon), Nathan Walters (PlusOne), Angie Miller (Zealyn), and Brandon Bee. He returned to America for two years to write and record original music, but he’s now back with his family in Mumbai, working alongside multiple Indian artists as well as representing the Global Music Institute.
Siddharth Basrur is an Indian vocalist, composer, and playback singer. He entered the indie music scene with his first band, “Kinky Ski Munky He entered the indie music scene with his first band, “Kinky Ski Munky.” He is the frontman of Mumbai’s progressive metal band, “Goddess Gagged. Basrur has contributed to Bollywood movies like ‘Haunted 3D’, ‘Players’ and ‘David’. Speaking about the collaboration, he says, “Working with Zac was an absolute breeze. He gave me the creative freedom to do my own thing and play around with the melody. But I really liked the song as it was, and didn’t deviate from the tune too much. I just added a bit of my own flavour. All in all, it was a fun experience and I hope to work with him again soon. “
Ray joins the Daily Guardian Review for a candid chat about his new song. Excerpts from an edited interview
Q. How did you come up with the idea for this song, Danger? What was the experience of recording it?
A. The song “Danger” is about that one person or thing in our lives that brings a sense of calm in chaos, or a sense of safety from danger. With all that’s going on in the world, it’s very easy to feel like you’re drowning. Hopefully, we all have that person in our lives to pull us out when we feel like that. I recorded the original vocals in Seattle but finished the song in Mumbai. Siddharth recorded his vocals in Pune.
Q. It is never easy to break into this industry. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
A. I think it’s very easy to compare yourself to others especially in the music industry. The world is filled with so many incredible musicians and singers, but what helps me is to remember that there is never going to be another Zachary Ray. I’m unique. I have a story to tell that nobody else has. As artists, we have to always remember that our voices and our stories are different, and we have a perspective and journey that nobody else has.
Q. Who is the person you turn to to bring you out of danger?
A. That has to be Amanda Joy Ray-my wife.
Q. What are you working on next?
A. I have another song collaboration coming out in September with Shreya Battacharya, and I’m working on finishing my album. I also have a remix version of ‘Danger’ I’ve been working on with Jeanne Merchant.
Q. What has your musical journey been like so far?
A. I grew up singing. Music is a huge part of my family. I was blessed to be able to take music and voice lessons at a young age. In class 11, I visited Berklee during one of their open houses. After finishing at Berklee, I started teaching a music programme in Mumbai. Some friends asked me to move to Kolkata and teach at the Calcutta School of Music. Now I’m in Bombay working with the Global Music Institute as their educational and industry rep. I think Mumbai has so much talent, and I’ve really enjoyed working with and meeting many singers and songwriters here.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com