Leslee Lewis, the singer-performer who helped form India’s pop revolution within the Nineteen Nineties, is again with Tere Bina Foremost, the ultimate monitor in his Phir Se Rock & Roll sequence. Launched on November 28, the track arrives with quiet confidence and melodic restraint—hallmarks of an artist who has at all times adopted his personal rhythm moderately than tendencies. Deeply emotional and introspective, Tere Bina Foremost explores love, distance, and longing via a sound that feels each acquainted and advanced.In an unique interview with ETimes, Leslee opens up concerning the making of the track, his enduring pleasure for music, the teachings many years within the business have taught him, and why stay efficiency stays his greatest excessive.
Tere Bina Foremost is the ultimate monitor of your Phir Se Rock & Roll sequence, and it has been receiving an excellent response from the viewers. The track feels deeply emotional and introspective. Are you able to inform us concerning the thought and feelings behind this monitor?
In immediately’s occasions, relationships typically face sudden distances—like when a associate’s job will get transferred to a different metropolis, say Delhi. Love finally ends up turning into long-distance. The entire track revolves round “tere bina principal, mere bina tu”—how do you’re keen on somebody when distance is available in between?
Was there any private reminiscence behind penning this track, or was it purely imagined?
No, it wasn’t primarily based on a private reminiscence. It was extra about creativeness—what occurs when somebody you’re keen on is out of the blue far-off. That emotional area, that longing, turns into the track.
You’ve been within the music business for many years now and began very younger. What a part of your interior artist nonetheless feels child-like and curious, and what half has matured emotionally with expertise?
The thrill I had once I began making music at 15 or 16 continues to be there. That curiosity hasn’t gone wherever. That’s why Tere Bina Foremost sounds the way in which it does. I sing the way in which I sing—no person seems like me. That is my vibe, my sound.If that pleasure ever disappears, then music turns into only a job. For me, pleasure is crucial to remain creative. That’s why I began indie pop again then, and that very same pleasure nonetheless drives me immediately.Expertise helps too. As a result of I began composing within the 80s and 90s, I now know what to keep away from, what to not overdo, and easy methods to refine my work. Expertise teaches you stability.
Whenever you have been rising up, who impressed you musically?
I’ve taken inspiration from many individuals—totally different artists, totally different types. Each musician I love has contributed one thing to who I’m immediately.
You have been among the many artists who launched pop and indie music to Indian audiences within the 80s and 90s. Did you’re feeling stress to suit into Bollywood music?
No. I by no means competed with anybody. I solely compete with myself. My stage is my very own. If somebody improves after seeing my work, that’s nice. That’s how music ought to develop.
Past fame, who’s Leslee Lewis when he’s away from music?
I’m quite simple. I like cooking my very own meals, consuming quietly, and stress-free. I journey rather a lot for stay reveals—throughout India and internationally—however once I’m house, I get pleasure from being calm and grounded.
Do you favor stay performances or studio recording?
At this time, everybody has a studio at house—a laptop computer is sufficient. Stay efficiency is the place the actual connection occurs now. I need to take my stay reveals to the following stage, conceptually and creatively.
Was there a section once you felt emotionally drained or creatively misplaced?
Between 2011 and 2018, there was confusion. However I by no means stopped. I stored recording—one track every single day. After COVID, issues grew to become clearer once more.
What has been probably the most emotionally rewarding second of your profession?
Recording 51 songs in 40 days for Coke Studio. That was intense, exhausting, however extremely rewarding. It confirmed me what ardour and consistency can obtain.
Why do you suppose immediately’s music typically feels mechanical?
As a result of ardour is lacking. Earlier, music got here from starvation and insanity. Now it’s typically formula-driven. Melody and emotion are nonetheless important—with out them, music doesn’t attain individuals.
Lastly, any message for listeners?
Take heed to my songs at house or in your automotive—however in case you come to my stay present, I promise I’ll entertain you utterly, in my very own approach.