Shardul Pandey: I welcome you K.C.at SANGKRIT.net, please tell our netizens about yourself.
K.C. Loy: I always remember choosing paths least traveled. Usually for the adventure it promised, but mostly ‘cos the rest seemed so boring. Yes! ‘Boring’ is one disease I’ve tried to avoid like a plague. Music, Dancing & Performing came naturally. I felt at home on the stage, even at the age of 5.
I think I can still remember the audience, my parents and of course my teacher, by the pews, all waiting with bated breath. I loved it when they broke into smiles and applause. That little flame kept the embers in my heart, glowing, soft & warm up until the day I realized, long after I’d chosen this path, “This is where I am supposed to be! Dreaming – Creating – Performing!”
I started off as a Composer of music for Advertisements & Television, moving on to Bollywood with the Hindi feature I.Proud to be Indian.
I Co-produced a Marathi feature film “Pak Pak Pakaak” along with Composing the songs, I also assisted in the Story development & Screenplay. “Pak Pak Pakaak” went on to win 8 of The Maharashtra State awards including Outstanding Music, of course.
Well, awards are all nice but I was still missing out on something… direct audience.
All my works have all been, innocently, goading me towards performing my originals to a live audience and of course publishing them.
So, here I stand, Mic ready and Band all tuned up, to sing for you something Raw and Earthy.
Shardul Pandey: Please briefly explain your sound to our netizens who have yet not heard your music?
K.C. Loy: I am an indie singer-songwriter. So naturally my songs are Lyric and melody based. I love to perform my songs Raw, Organic and straight from the heart. There’s a story in every one of them and of course, they’re sing-able and fun.
Shardul Pandey: What keep your endeavors unique?
K.C. Loy: My compositions are straight from my heart to your heart and nothing in between. Every one of my gigs, is like my first and last gig… I just go all out. My audiences reciprocate with such great vibe, it makes me more powerful, creating an electric atmosphere.
Shardul Pandey: On what musical projects you are working one? What can we expect from you in the next few years? Any long-term goals?
K.C. Loy: Right now I’m working on releasing my first single LIFE IS… it’s a ‘Baul’ (songs sung by minstrels/ fakirs of Bengal) influenced song. It’s simple and yet deeply philosophical. The melody is infectious and just keeps ringing in your head. Making the video is fun but also the hardest part. However it’s promising to be colourful!
I plan to release more songs in the following months. I want to take my Sound all around India… and then the world. My long-term goal would be to hear strangers sing my songs, that would be like receiving a Grammy or whatever great music award exists.
Shardul Pandey: Would you like to share the experience of your first performance?
K.C. Loy: I remember each one of my first performances, however there’s one particular performance that changed my life. Some years ago, at Rang Bhavan, we were performing originals for “The Concert for Freedom”. The first row of “rockers” wanted to listen to Iron maiden, etc. and kept hooting/ swearing at us. We were furious and some of us wanted to break their skulls. Just then my girlfriend(when I peeped off stage) whispered “sing for those who want to listen to you!” And that hit me like… BOOM! I then focused on the 500 odd, behind the guys in the first row. I realized, they were singing along and cheering for us. Wow! That day on, I never lost my cool on stage.
Shardul Pandey: What is your foremost experience as an artist? Any favorite moment you would like to share?
K.C. Loy: Life as an artist is made up of great moments and terrible ones. From the moment you get an interesting idea that has great potential, to the moment you’ve completed the song, is one big buzz. Now, this buzz, gets to its highest point when the audience shows its love. If, however, the audience hates it, the buzz goes down but it somehow, doesn’t usually die. It’s like your baby, your own flesh and blood. I’ve had all these moments many a times over.
Shardul Pandey: What other creative mediums you like working in?
K.C. Loy: I love writing short stories (mostly because I never actually had the patience to write a ‘long’ one). I have a bunch of them that I intend to publish sometime next year. Professionally, I have written screenplays for two Marathi films and many thriller TV shows. I love capturing faces in the sun with a DSLR. I work with a 500D and hope to upgrade soon.
Shardul Pandey: How do you best describe what music is to you?
K.C. Loy: Music is a ‘Miracle’ for me. I never can guess when I’m going to compose a tune or write a song. It just hits me when I least expect and flows till I’m all out. Then I look at it and wonder “Why” I wrote it? And the reason, if I find one, never answers the “How”.
Shardul Pandey: Who were your biggest musical influences?
K.C. Loy: SD & RD Burman, Salil Choudhary, Hridaynath mangeshkar, Beatles, Cliff Richards, Pearljam, Ian Anderson and so many more.
Shardul Pandey: What songs get you moving?
K.C. Loy: Simple songs with lyrics, usually get me moving and tracks with large symphonies.
Shardul Pandey: Any plans for an international tour on your horizon?
K.C. Loy: Nothing planned but of course… as I mentioned earlier, I intend to take my songs to world.
Shardul Pandey: What you feel is your strength as a musician and how would you like to be remembered ?
K.C. Loy: My melodies and my lyrics are my strength. I would like to be remembered as a person who spread hope through his songs.
Shardul Pandey: What advice would you give to newbie musicians?
K.C. Loy: Follow your heart!
Shardul Pandey: What is your web address, do you own a domain ? Where netizens can find latest news feed about you and your music ?
K.C. Loy: Yes, www.kcloy.com. I am also on:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kcloy1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K.C.Loy
- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheKCLoy
Shardul Pandey: What you do for fun & entertainment? Any peculiar interests?
K.C. Loy: I love to trek, find a spot in the mountains and read a book. Or watch movies at home.
Shardul Pandey: What is your ultimate message for netizens ?
K.C. Loy: Go on and check out all the songs on youtube/vimeo as you like, but ‘Don’t’ forget to BUY indie music online ‘cos that’s the only way you make sure the artist survives and keeps creating songs for you.