Bombay Vikings Options

[Pradeep]

He went with the flow. Now, Bombay Vikings, Neeraj Sridhar, wants to chart his own path.

ASK lead singer Neeraj Sridhar who all the members of Bombay Vikings are and he says, ?There?s one person called Neeraj, another one called Neeraj and a third one called Neeraj Sridhar.? A one-man show all the way, Bombay Vikings is just a name Neeraj coined for another Sweden band he used to be a part of once. ?But look at the curiosity the name generates, not many would be interested in a band called Neeraj Sridhar. The name Bombay Vikings has an edge to it, just like the music that it makes,? says the musician who was in town on the weekend.

About the music, Neeraj says, ?Yes, it?s easy to make a remix, but that is only if you are adding a couple of extra beats to it. But look at any of my numbers. The popular ones are based on the original tune but the kind of improvisation that is involved makes them sound like a completely different song. Do most people realise how difficult it is to remix an old melody in such a way that it does not damage the original version??

According to Neeraj, being a musician today requires you to be a good businessman as well. ?It is about selling your product. And for that you need to give people what they want. Again, today, selling is based on attitude. It?s not so much a musician?s passion as the appropriate PR capabilities, good looks and, like in most remix videos, half-clad women.?

One would presume that Neeraj?s defined look, with the silver accessories and spiked blonde hair was part of the ?selling? act. On the contrary, he says, ?There are times when you do certain things just because you are part of a gang that does that. Being involved with music for so many years, wearing junk and colouring my hair has become a habit.?

Music is a habit of many years too and Neeraj insists he is no new kid on the
block. From rock and roll to jazz and fusion, he?s done it all. And he admits that success has come to him late. ?I have been composing and creating music for years, but it was my remix version that shot me to fame. That?s life,? he adds, philosophically. ?If you are wooing a girl, you take flowers and do just about anything to make her happy. Once you are married, you can take the liberty to ask her to make a paratha for you. Similarly, I have gained a foothold in the music industry by giving people what they want. Now, it?s time to show what I?d really like to do.?