KIRAN BISWA, a Queenslander, Australia, was born in a small Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan, who fled the country and lived in a refugee camp for 19 years. Recently he has come up with a Unique Rock World Fuion – O WARRIORS!. The music is a cultural fusion of sounds from the Himalayas to the Australian Outback with the modern heavy rock flavors. The song is in language but the heart of the song Chorus is in English. Through this unique song Kiran wants to share the power of resilience in every individual and beauty of diversities. Kiran has collaborated with some of the best musicians from Far North Queensland, Australia, USA and India. Dr. David Hudson, internationally reputed Australian musician have contributed his magical Australian ancient sound of Digeridoo and Boomerangs. This music is released worldwide on the 18th of January and can be streamed on major streaming and distribution sites.
Kiran says, “O Warriors! a rare and must listen music for every music lovers. Please be brave to challenge your ears and find a soothing effect and create a healing atmosphere around you through the sound of this World Rock Fusion”.
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I always wanted to give something very different to global music listeners which challenges them but at the same time gives a soothing effect to their hearts and take them to a world of different cultures. Therefore, I have come up with a unique style, tone, texture, rhythm and melody in the music that I compose. These characteristics have motivated me to take this style of music seriously.
My grand dad is my hero and my inspiration towards appreciating my cultural and ethnic sounds.
Australian band Yathu Yindi and Geoffrey Gurrumul -Australian indigenous musician and singer are my influences towards appreciating cultures and the beauty of collaboration.
2.) Can you tell us more about the music style you came up with called “Unique Rock Fusion”?
My music O Warriors! is unique Rock World Fusion- the fusion of cultures from the Himalayas to Australian Outback with the modern Rock flavour. You will hear the soothing Himalayan bamboo flute lifted by ancient spiritual sound of the Didgeridoo followed by Indian Bollyhood sound with heavy distorted rock sounds. It is a very beautiful fusion of west and east through sounds and style. My recent release O WARRIOR is a must listen for example.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
The music that I write comes from my lived experience and the lesson learnt from it. Fleeing from my homeland, Bhutan, when I was a teenager and having had to live in the adversities of a refugee camp in Nepal for 19 years is something not many people can dream of. That situation helped me to appreciate my adversities and smile and think of my self as a born Warrior as everyone is. This is definitely my most difficult thing that I have to endure.
4.) Since you do a different type of music, can you explain what your song-writing and recording process is?
When I get lyrics in language, I try to find a universal message in it. Once it touches my heart, I create scenes in my mind, make it more pictorial story and once I am happy with that, I start decorating that piece of art with different colours of sounds that relates to individual feelings. I work on Finale music software and when I am done, I start my recording with all those elements. Once I am happy with my rough record, I find a pro studio and engineer who has a very good understanding of what the final product should be. In my case, Nigel Pegrum- Pegasus Studio, Queensland, has always been my best preference.
5.) How have people responded to your style of music so far? What kind of feedback have you received? Has it been positive or negative?
The listeners who have listened to my music have showed their appreciation of my music. They have came up and said, “Your music challenged me at first but listening to it for a second time took me to the whole world trip in a soothing and relaxing flight. Thank you very much”. Some of the listeners have questioned me about using multi-language in the song but they responded very well when I said, “music is for your hearts and hearts do not need a language to understand. It needs a feeling and my music gives you a feeling.”
6.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you are recognized for the type of music that you created?
Yes, I totally agree with you. In my case, I will give the listeners not just musical entertainment but also something that they can relate to themselves. My music is all about appreciating yourself, appreciating dynamism and uniting people of diverse background through music and the song ‘O WARRIORS’ is the first example of the beauty of diversities.
7.) Are you on a major label or are you independent? Depending on which path you’ve taken, what are the pros and cons? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I am a new independent artist trying to come of with a unique rock fusion. With out being on a major label, it is very difficult get to the masses. But as an Independent artist I have my sole control over how I want to get to my fans. I do think that traditional music industry model won’t work for an independent new artist like me. It is hard to sell music these days unless you have a heaps of followers and fans.
8.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
As I mentioned earlier that selling your music is totally fan based. Unless you do a media campaign, connect with the people through social media, you are not going to sell your music if you are a new independent artist like me. I guess new artist should get into social media or contact media promotion companies or PR companies so that you are visible and that helps you get more fans and followers. if not, it is very hard to get your music out there specially if you are a new independent artist like me. It seems it is very hard to survive as a musician if you are not media savvy.
9.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I will try my best to give something unique and something every listeners can relate to their life and experiences through my fusion music and try to represent diversities through the sounds. Rest, I leave it to the listeners.
10.) Within the next 5 to 10 years where do you see Unique Rock Fusion going? If musicians haven’t already, can you see more musicians adopting this style of music and incorporating it in their own music?
Our world is diverse and these days we talk about Global Village. I think we should start seeing the difference until there is no difference and music is beyond borders. Therefore, I think World Fusion music is something that might make our composers and musicians adopt and collaborate more in future.