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UAE is a melting pot of tunes and harmonies

MELODY MAKERS OF UAE: DHRUV is a Bollywood rock band

Rejection, failure, and tough competition are part and parcel, but how difficult is it really to break into the music in the UAE? Rejection, failure, and tough competition are part and parcel, but how difficult is it really to break into the music in the UAE?

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By Disha Dadlani & Rachel Dawson

Published: Sun 14 Jan 2018, 9:05 AM

Last updated: Sun 14 Jan 2018, 1:03 PM

When British singer Tanya Wells jammed to a popular Sindhi Sufi song, Dama Dam Mast Qalandar, music transcended language and culture on the streets of Dubai. The video of course, went viral. To commemorate the 46th UAE National Day, four musicians of diverse nationalities (with regular day jobs) presented their rendition of A.R. Rahman's internationally recognised and Oscar winning track, Jai Ho. Waleed Ali, a UAE citizen, was recently in the spotlight; his interest in Indian music prompted him to learn and sing in Malayalam and Hindi. Bollywood songs regularly journey to the Middle East to get doused with an Arabian flavour with songs like Arabic Fan Anthem, Dhoom Machale Dhoom, Radio, Telagena (Gerua), and most recently, Swag Se Swagat.
Party songs, that otherwise force you to leave your seat and shake a leg, have undergone creative makeovers with unplugged and acoustic versions to be- come your perfect companions on a rainy day. Rehashing old classics to bridge a generation gap and to cash in on nostalgia has become a common practice. Today, the ideal weekend isn't spent only frequenting malls or beaches - people often find themselves flocking to a popular artist's concert. In fact, an eatery is almost incomplete without music - in the form of a live performance or blaring popular tracks that set the tone for your meal. "I've seen many changes since I started at Maharlika Club at President Hotel. I've been behind the scenes, managing the club for 18 years now, and I've noticed a change in music preferences from Jazz to R&B and Rap Music. We feature bands that entertain customer requests with a variety of Tagalog, English, Hindi and Arabic songs," says Danny Vera, manager of the club.
The music scene was particularly great in 2017 - with Coldplay ringing in the New Year on a musical note. Other noteworthy performances throughout the year have been by Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lopez, Mika Singh, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ali Zafar, Elton John, and Justin Bieber.
Music festivals such as RedFest DXB and Dubai Jazz Fest act as platforms to gather music enthusiasts from across the region. Local artists, both up-and-comers and the bigwigs who've devoted their heart to the art, frequent open mic events to test their material on varied audiences. Have you tapped your bathroom singer potential? You may just become the next big thing!

It's hard to break into the music scene

It takes one gig for your dream to become reality - but, how hard is it really to break into the music scene? "It is a difficult market with many well-established bands and singers. But, companies do look for fresh and different voices. I don't mean to sound cliched, but you need to make the right contacts," says Mariyam Kisat, a Dubai-based singer, who was 'discovered' by radio station City 1016, and went on to open for big names such Mika and Adnan Sami.
A regular behind the turntables, DJ Aayush spins songs that people request. "Dubai is a small place and DJs are overflowing. Considering how the software and systems for DJing have become so simple to use today, people just wake up and say, 'I want to be a DJ'," he says.
UAE-based Russian cellist Tatiana Durova says,"The cello is a unique instrument that draws attention. When people ask about a possibility of private lessons, it motivates me
so much as a musician." Ninoshka Serrao calls herself a 'part-time singer and full-time engineer', and treats singing as a break from her engineering job. "If you believe in yourself and your talent, you'll just need to work hard on getting recognised. One right person in the audience can change your life," she says.
"Breaking into the music scene requires e ort and results in sleepless nights whilst producing music. You will have to understand who're the right people to get in touch with and come to terms with the fact that not everyone becomes a fan at the first go. There's always going to be negativity and criticism."
DJ Aayush
"Anyone with a good voice and a guitar can make it big in the music industry in the UAE. However, sustaining that position is the tricky part. Artists and bands break in and out of the music scene every other day in the UAE, but there are only a few who are consistent and here to stay."
Srinath KR, lead singer, DHRUV

Our connection with Rahman

Music knows no language - this has been emphasised beautifully by Bollywood rock band DHRUV that has opened for celebrities such as A.R. Rahman and Sachin Tendulkar. Catherine Naoe Balza, Yanick Agbor Tabe, Ashwathy Kurup, and Carl Fielder - a Filipino, a Cameroonian, an Indian, and a Brit - paid tribute to the UAE on its 46th National Day (and in turn, the music legend A.R. Rahman) with a rendition of the Oscar winning track, Jai Ho, in their respective languages.
"Getting an opportunity to work with the legend has been my biggest reward, and this project has brought me a step closer to my dream. He includes non-Indian artists in his music, and because of this, we feel like the world is one big family," says Ashwathy. The reason he is a global phenomenon today, Yanick observes, is "because he caters to a huge, diverse audience". "Opening for A.R. Rahman has been the crown jewel among all our experiences. At the end of the gig, A.R. Rahman, Ranjit Barot and Haricharan gave us three concurrent thumbs up. It truly felt like winning an Oscar," says Srinath KR, lead singer of DHRUV.

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When UAE's talent went viral

Lead singer of a local Bollywood band ROOH, Anupam Nair joined hands with singer Shirin Latheef to participate in the Despacito fever with a creative Not Despacito version. What they essentially aimed to do was sing 24 songs in 8 different languages (Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Punjabi, Arabic, Persian, English and Spanish) against the popular Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee track.
UAE-based Mahesh Raghavan's studio is his iPad and his instrument is a mobile app called GeoShred. As a Carnatic music fusion artist, he grabbed headlines internationally when he gave a makeover to popular theme music from The Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and popular tracks such as Hello, Despacito and All of Me.
In January 2016, three talented UAE-based musicians decided to ask iPhone's Siri a question, and then jammed to the response - beatboxed and sang a few Indian classical melodies when Siri obliged. Carl Frenais, the frontman of local band Carl and the Reda Mafia, whose claim to fame was a viral video and the band's opening set for Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi in 2015, had a good time interacting with Siri in this way.

Explore the karaoke choices in your city

Sing the night away at Lucky Voice, Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights, Dubai. There are 11 private and fully soundproof karaoke pods, accommodating parties of 6 to 25 people. Within each pod, there are touch-screen interfaces with easy access to 10,000+ songs in English, Arabic, Russian, Bollywood, Spanish, Italian and French. There's also a Lucky Voice prop box to add to the fun. If you're looking for something more authentic, there's Hibiki, a karaoke music lounge at Hyatt Regency Dubai, which gives guests the chance to sing in front of a large audience or in the privacy of two-themed rooms that are fitted with individual, state-of-the-art, high-tech sound, CD-ROM units. Their 'Japanese Room' accommodates up to 10 people and the 'Thai Themed Room' fits up to 25 guests. A must-try weekend activity.
Visit O2 Karaoke, Avari Dubai Hotel to pamper your taste buds with flavours of the East as you sing along. Time Cafe´, Al Karama, Dubai is a sports bar and karaoke venue under one roof. Other popular karaoke venues are Blind Dragon's 'sing or die' karaoke suite, The Atrium, Al Habtoor City, and Kung Korean restaurant, Byblos Hotel, Barsha Heights with its 8 private karaoke rooms and luscious Korean style food.

When local bands open for concerts

When it comes to UAE's live music shows, any season is the in season. The year 2017 proved that Dubai is a go-to destination for the biggest names in the music industry with unforgettable concerts on the local stage.
Liam Gallagher and Electronica icons The Chemical Brothers raised the music bar on November 10. A spectacular performance by J-Lo stunned audiences at the Autism Rocks Arena during the same month. Then, there's also Ed Sheeran and Kygo, whose music etched a place in the hearts of the UAE residents.
Even though bands that open the show during big concerts are less talked about, the local talent in Dubai is tremendous and musically diverse. The openers have been known to keep the vibe upbeat for hours.
The stage was set to rock for Elton John by Dubai-based band Vandalye. The band was started by Belgian-New Zealander brothers Thomas and Lucas, who joined English vocalist Scott. The Ed Sheeran concert was opened by Lauv, singer of The Other and Comfortable. His music is a mix of electronic and folk music.

Your fans await you in the virtual world

Apps such as Yousician, GarageBand, ThumbJam, Music Studio, and Smule serve as great platforms and practice tools for music professionals and amateurs. With Smule, you can sing with a fellow music enthusiast in India while in your room in Dubai, and you can even indulge in fun group jam sessions. What's more, you can put a face to the voice if you're curious with the help of a video feature. Another great way to put your skills out there is by getting on to social media. "I started a Facebook page two years ago with just one video recorded from my phone. Surprisingly, it did well and garnered about 700 likes on the first day. I continued to upload mini covers of songs and slowly moved on to Instagram. That was when I got in touch with many other artists in Dubai and asked them for tips that are handy till today," says Mariyam, a Dubai-based singer. Starting a page on social media, she adds, helps in meeting people that share a similar background and musical interests, and allows for collaborations with different singers.
"Social media has helped me promote myself across platforms. I share posts with an aim to get more followers, who appreciate my music and support me in what I'm doing," DJ Varun says.

Meet the royal vagabonds

In conversation with Janelle Thomas (Lady J), vocals, Lady J & The Royal Vagabonds.
What does your band's name mean?
Everyone in this band has spent most of their careers on the road, away from home, and embracing the vagabond life. But, we try to keep it classy - hence, Royal Vagabonds. Janelle Thomas is Lady J, of course. The band was already playing together at The Music Room, but decided to form a new project that would be a better fit for our original music.
Where do you jam?
We've got a great set up to practice at home - in Felix's flat in Tecom. We can hear everything with the headphones, but the neighbours only have to listen to the vocals. The band mem- bers include Andy Lynn on the keyboard, Felix Fre´chette on the guitar, David Hewett on the bass, and Joe Bashorun on the drums.
What's your recent album about?
Janelle and Felix put out an album of original music called Noise Rises in 2012. It's definitely time for another one. We are in the process of writing our next album of originals, which we plan to record and release in Dubai this year.
What is the kind of music your band leans towards?
It's a mix of some Blues and some Rock - both originals and covers. Some Classic Blues, some Classic Rock, and Pop songs, reinterpreted in a Blue-sy style.
What are your fondest musical memories in Dubai?
We have had many special moments over the hundreds of gigs we have played here, but opening the Jazz Garden series in October 2017 was a definite highlight and the largest audience we have performed for, to date.

Enjoy live music in the city

Al Fayrooz Lounge
Lobby Lounge, Al Qasr Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah
Relax with a traditional style afternoon tea. There's a pianist for live performances and six delicious teas to choose from - lemon, peach, mint, black current, date and green tea with rose petals.
Rodeo Drive
Trade Centre Area
With live music by a band named TRON, you won't be able to sit in your seat for sure. Try riding the bull for a whole song.
Hard Rock Cafe 
Festival Boulevard, Festival City
For a fill of Rock and Pop music, the cafe will not let you down. It's got a lovely atmosphere that will motivate you to party your stress away.
Jazz@PizzaExpress
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
What's better than pizza? Pizza and a live jam session, of course. On Fridays, the resident band, The Afif Brothers serenades audiences, and on Tuesdays, there's an open mic night.
Cravin' Cajun
Novote, Barsha
Count on the Jazz music here to lift your spirits, and as the name suggests, this place specialises in Southern American specialties. Think: crab cakes and chicken wa les as authentic as the ones in Georgia.
letters@khaleejtimes.com 

Mariyam Kisat covers popular Bollywood songs
A college audition paved Ninoshka's music journey
Cellist Tatiana believes that the cello chose her
DJ Aayush is a regular behind the turntables
Four musicians of diverse nationalities (with regular day jobs); Catherine Naoe Balza, Yanick Agbor Tabe, Ashwathy Kurup, and Carl Fielder presented their rendition of A.R. Rahman’s internationally recognised and Oscar winning track, Jai Ho.
Meet Lady J & the Royal Vagabonds
MELODY MAKERS OF UAE: DJ Varun Sharma set foot in the music industry by playing for high school and college parties. He has opened for interna- tional artists, including Eric Prydz, Badshah, Bohemia, Shah Rukh Khan and Nucleya.
Disha Dadlani & Rachel Dawson

Published: Sun 14 Jan 2018, 9:05 AM

Last updated: Sun 14 Jan 2018, 1:03 PM

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