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Re: GNRevolution.com Exclusive: Interview with Pravini/free album preview
GNRevolution: Hello Pravini! Been waiting a few months for your album's release. Before we dive into the questions, I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with GNRevolution.com and for also offering this community not just a free preview of your album, but also an exclusive track not heard by anyone before.
Since you are now a member of GNRevolution, we'd like to welcome you to our community.
Pravini: Thank you for having me. It's my pleasure.
GNRevolution: I would like to start things off with your new album, Pravision. Lots of R & B influences here, although you are melding jazz, hip hop, and even some middle eastern influence on this record. When I normally think of R&B in today's era, shallowness always comes to mind because the songs aren't really sending a message. Its more about the bottom line and just singing about sex, drugs, etc. to capitalize on sales. There seems to be a lot of introspection on this record. What inspired you during the writing and recording of this album?
Pravini: Yes definitely, the introspection part is one of the reasons why I decided to name the album Pravision. The album shows my perspective and views on things I have experienced. I've been through a lot the past 2 years and music is a way for me to deal with things. So my experiences from the past 2 years were enough inspiration for this album haha. The way the track list of the album is set up also shows my journey so far. It takes the audience from the beginning of a relationship, to actually falling in love to struggles in a relationship and having your heart broken. And after the heartbreak finding the strength to recover from it and moving on. Finding a new focus and following your heart and living your passion.
I'm also glad you noticed the messages in my songs because that's really important to me. I have a lot on my mind that I wanna share with people. Not to force my opinion on anyone, but I wanna give the people something to think about in a lyrical kinda way. My goal with music is not to make money (although I would love to do this for a living haha) but I wanna reach the people, connect with the audience and share the wonderful music.
GNRevolution: On the song "Know About Me", which is very catchy and on the outside seems to be just a basic pop jingle, lyrically you appear to be looking for acceptance for who you are and not being judged by the color of your skin, where you come from, and your heritage. Did you deal with racism growing up, and if so, did it make you feel like an outsider and not know which group you are supposed to fit in with? Did this play a role in you becoming so interested in piano at such a young age(six)?
Pravini: Yes! You got it right, I have often felt like an outsider. Mostly because I'm a Dutch girl with East Indian roots doing soul music. So over here in the Netherlands people don't know how to categorize me. They can't match an Indian girl with soul, R&B and hip hop influences. So the Indian crowd wants me to do Bollywood music, the music they are used to, and the R&B and hip hop audience is more reluctant to give me a listen because they don't expect an Indian artist to do soul music. This makes it harder for me to get noticed or recognized. But the conclusion of the song is: THAT right there is actually my advantage. It's something that makes me unique.
This however didn't play a role in me playing the keys at a young age. My mom made me do it. Hahaha. But for real my mom made me take piano lessons because she never had the chance to play when she was young and she wanted her children to do something with music. At first I didn't even like it that much because I wasn't into the classical music. But as soon as I started playing chords and jazz piano I fell in love with it.
GNRevolution: You are clearly playing the piano on this album. Do you play any more instruments, and if so, will we be hearing these on future projects?
Pravini: No, I don't play any other instruments, although I would love to! I've always wanted to learn how to play the bass. A nice bass line can drive me wild! Haha. But yes you're right, the keys are playing the lead role on this album. Mostly '˜cuz I play the keys and all the songs on this album were written during the past two years where it was just me writing. Then I linked up with hip hop producers from overseas who wanted to collaborate with me because of their love for music. And when you collaborate in an 'overseas' kinda way where you can't be in a studio together there's limited possibilities. So for this album I had to work with what I had and try to make the best of it. But you keep growing as an artist and I always try to challenge myself and try something new, something different from what I'm used to. The keys have always been my starting point to write songs. But I definitely wanna try other instruments to add to my versatility. That's always fun.
GNRevolution: You are based in Holland, but lived here in the United States while going to college in Boston. Did the experience here influence your work?
Pravini: Oh yes most definitely. What I did in the States was almost like a crash course jazz piano. Because I already took piano lessons in Holland but on a weekly basis. And during my stay in Boston I was playing every single day, learning about musicianship, songwriting, music theory and so on. So it took my skills to another level and it made me step my game up as a musician. But also the music I was dealing with, all the jazz standards and jazz history. That was a major influence on my work because I learned about the beauty of chord extensions and chord progressions haha. So the jazzy influences are for the most part a result of my trip to Boston.
GNRevolution: You are an ambassador for Global Human Rights Defence. Last year you traveled to India to witness the inhumane conditions going on there. Could you tell us about this experience, and how it affected your life? Will you continue your work with the GHRD?
Pravini: Oh yes, that trip was a reality check of how blessed we are over here. I mean we have our own problems but going to India put everything into perspective. It really increased my awareness of how blessed we are but also trying to think of what we can do to help. And my job as the ambassador is to spread the word on what's going on over there so people at least know about it. And knowing is the first step to doing something. I'm fortunate to be able to write music and use that as a tool to raise awareness which is what I tried to do with the song 'Question', which is also part of the album. But I also went to school to talk to the kids about my experiences in India and I will continue my work as such with GHRD.
I also became more aware of my history. Because like the song 'Know About Me' shows, I was born and raised in the Netherlands. My parents are from Suriname, a small country in South America. And our ancestors are from India. So going to India was also meeting my history in person. And that was something really special because going there a lot of things were recognizable, like certain smells or foods or traditions. But I still experienced a culture shock even though I am familiar with the culture. So that was really interesting.
GNRevolution: What were your musical influences growing up? Who are your favorite bands/artists today?
Pravini: I used to listen to a lot of pop and R&B groups. I think that's how I learned the basics of singing in harmony. But one of my favorite artists of today is Jill Scott. She has been the biggest influence on me on a lyrical level. When I heard 'A Long Walk' I was struck by her poetry and play with words and it made me step my game up as a lyricist. Alicia Keys is still one of my favourites. Every time I see her behind the keys I get goose bumps. I used to sing her songs at talent shows before I wrote my own, so her music always takes me down memory lane. I saw Lupe Fiasco's show the other day in Amsterdam and that was one of the best hiphop shows I've seen. He brought a live band and his energy on stage was crazy. And I love that when artists go on stage and use every single bone in their body to express their music to you. And the list goes on and on but I'll stick with these three for now haha.
GNRevolution What are your current tour plans for the rest of this year and beyond? Do you have your sights set on North America, or will you continue doing festivals in Europe?
Pravini: Yeah, my plan is to move to LA next year in March. It's something I've been wanting to do for a very long time for several reasons, music being one of them. So that's on my schedule for next year. For this year I'm working with different producers and doing shows. Like this French producer Nidle is coming out with his album A neWorld later on this year and his album contains 10 featurings with international artists, me being one of them. Our collab actually contains non piano instrumentals haha. He made the beat and let me write and sing to it. So there's more projects with other producers I'm working on at the moment. It's a nice way to step out of my comfort zone with the piano and into other worlds where I get to take some of the other world's vibes and give some of mine.
GNRevolution: Any future plans on moving to the United States and aiming your sights on the music scene here? Female artists such as M.I.A., Santogold, Christina Milian,etc. are becoming a major force to be reckoned with, and on the verge of changing rap, hip hop, R & B,etc. as we know it. They are taking these genres places that they've never been before. Do you see yourself in the category of artists who can help reshape the current musical climate?
Pravini: Yes, as I have mentioned before my goal is to move to LA in March 2009. And because of the background I described in 'Know About Me' I can definitely see myself contributing to this change. I like to be unpredictable and I wanna give the people something new. Something I can really see myself doing on a lyrical level. Like you noticed a lot of R&B music doesn't hold much content these days but I believe the content of a song is what speaks to the people. And my goal is to bring content in a Pravini kinda way haha. Something fresh for the people to get excited over.
GNRevolution: On a lighter note, since this IS a Guns N Roses site, I would like to bring up what in GNR circles is referred to as the "elephant in the room"- Chinese Democracy. You have listened to nine tracks from this mythical and forever in the making album. What are your thoughts on the material?
Pravini: I really dig the instrumentals. Although I admire the range of Axl Rose's voice, his voice doesn't really appeal to me. But the instrumentals really caught my attention on this record. And I've been listening to 'If the World" over and over, I really dig that song. The lyrics didn't really catch my attention, I think I need to listen more carefully for that, but the guitar licks are dope.
GNRevolution: We would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and doing this interview. This might be the first time people have heard of you here, but I know it wont be the last. We wish you all the best with your new album and future projects.
Pravini: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk about my music and for supporting me in it!
GNRevolution: One last question: What did you say was your favorite Guns N Roses site again?
Pravini: Well duh, GNRevolution.com silly!
To download the free album preview and exclusive bonus track only available here, click the picture below:
Purchase a copy of Pravision at:
Pravision is also available on Itunes.
Re: GNRevolution.com Exclusive: Interview with Pravini/free album preview
Since she did give us this free preview of her album and an unreleased song, would be cool if you guys and gals would check it out and giver her feedback.
Her schedule is a bit hectic, and she planned on coming in for a chat or just posting with us. She may drop in at some point.
Re: GNRevolution.com Exclusive: Interview with Pravini/free album preview
Good interview James - you've got a hidden talent there.
It's always good for me to broaden my musical horizons from "Stadium Rock Only" so I've had a listen and she's actually pretty good. In the right setting I would have no prob's listening to this. I think as you described it Neemo "loungy" is a good adjective to sum up what I mean. If you were just trying to sit back and chill with some friends etc this would be perfect to have playing low down in the background.
My G/F actually likes it quite a lot.
