In conversation with Aseem Trivedi, who recently composed and directed music for web series JL50!

Belonging to a family of doctors and lawyers who used to tremble at the thought of choosing music as a career, Aseem Trivedi moved to Mumbai from Kanpur in 2014 at the age of 18 to pursue his graduation and give it all to become a full-time musician. With no music background or contacts, he started off with college festivals, made a band, and performed wherever he got a chance to showcase his talent.

Amidst all this, Aseem Trivedi got a chance to audition for MTV Nescafe Labs. Winning the title gave him a huge boost of confidence as he was opening for acts like Raftaar, Harshdeep Kaur, DIVINE, Benny Dayal, among others.

How did your musical journey start? Was it a passion since childhood or did you explore it recently?

Post my stint with MTV Nescafe Labs, I opened for great artists at MTV unplugged live events, and have also been a backing vocalist for various Bollywood artists.

Like many other musicians in the country, the struggle has been real and I've faced a lot of rejections before grabbing an opportunity like JL50. 

I would just do whatever it takes for people to hear my music. Fortunately, I got the director (Shailender Vyas), to hear a track I had composed. I'm grateful that he connected with my music, and got me on board as a music director for this wonderful project.

Music was definitely a passion since childhood. From being in the school choir to forming a band of my own back in Kanpur, I've been through it all.

Your earliest memory that defines your inclination towards music? Can you walk us through your musical journey?

I remember I used to sing along with the radio when I was 6-7 years old. I have to thank my music teachers in school who saw something in me and got me to sing in various competitions during my school life. In a family of doctors and lawyers, early on, my mother was the one who supported me and my music through everything. I owe it all to her.

When I moved to Mumbai for my college, I realized I need to make my own music in order to stand out in a crowd of millions, and that's exactly what I did during my college days while singing and performing at various college festivals around the city.

The decision of taking up music as a career, was it daunting?

Yes, and no.

Yes, it was absolutely daunting considering the fact that music as a career is a volatile one, and a lot of things need to fall in place for you to make it. Leaving my hometown for Mumbai at the age of 18 was definitely a daunting one but on the other hand, personally, it was an easy decision for me, since I knew this is the only thing I want to do in life for a living.

You have recently composed and directed music for Sony LIV's JL50. Walk us through your experience.

Composing and directing music for JL50 has been an absolutely incredible experience. Working in close proximity with the director and figuring out the minutest of music details is what made the job challenging yet exciting!

Directing music for artists like Jubin Nautiyal, Siddharth Basrur, and Piyush Mishra was an amazing experience in itself.

An individual is as good as his team, and having Keshav Dhar, Anurag Khandait, and Mayur Jumani as music producers on the album definitely made my job as a music composer and director a little easier.

Aseem Trivedi, Who are some of the role models you look up to in the industry?

As role models in the industry, there are artists like A.R. Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, SEL, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and so many others that have shaped my music, and have inspired people like me to dream big.

Personally, my ultimate aim as an artist is to be in the studio by day, working on my music, and to be on stage by night, showcasing my music to the world.

The moment when you realized you have finally arrived.

I'd say JL50. The project has been a dream to work on. As I mentioned earlier, working with such incredible artists was an absolute experience in itself.

Though as a 24-year-old, I'd say there's still a huge learning curve in front of me and I still have to garner a lot of experience, which makes me so excited to get up and work on my craft, every day.

Let’s run down to local favorites from your city:

• Fav Food: Pizza
• Fav Cafe/ Club: Status Club
• Fav street food stall: Chef-on-Wheels
• Your go-to local spot: Prefer to go on long drives when in Kanpur
• A song you would like to dedicate to your city: Count on you by Bruno Mars

Let’s run down to music favorites of Aseem Trivedi:

• Current Fav song/songs: Labb Par Aaye - Bandish Bandits
• Your most cherished music project to date: JL50
• Fav Indian Music Artist: A. R. Rahman
• A song that usually uplifts your mood: Edge of Desire by John Mayer
• If your life was a song, it would be: Stop This Train by John Mayer

Also Read: Tune in to the conversation with Kushal Sethi from Delhi, decoding his music cover, one song at a time!

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