Joi Barua: music is my soul

Hi Joi, what’s new these days?

Suddenly it feels like i hear a new music, getting new melodies, new ideas, discovering Rachmaninoff & Beethoven again. Probably walk into a well of music, moody and bright at the same time.

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Coming from Assam, not generalizing, you guys have some good taste of music. How did you develop it as a child?

It’s green and beautiful out there. U have vast tracts of untouched green, rainforests, the mighty Brahmaputra river and when u drive a little out of there you get to the hills. Very inspiring childhood it was. It’s like, Nature intended to be a teacher. Hence, everything went right!!!

You won a music competition at the age of 7? SERIOUSLY? We could not even take long names properly then!

Couldn’t help! We had a competition and my sister thought I shouldn’t be as lazy & dreamy and get enrolled into school activities. Taught me Cliff Richards ‘Bachelor Boy’ over breakfast and packed me off to school. Was in class I guess. I won. Funny life this is. Fate handed me my future over breakfast.

Who was your inspiration behind taking up music as a profession?

I never think of it as my profession. Its my soul, my passion and my love. Musical inspirations were many, but to take it up for life…was like….i didn’t know any other.

What’s your idea behind making music?

I like to tell a story, or describe a moment….i want the listener to feel what went through. If not in my way, then in a way they choose to. But yes, feel and relive a moment of magic that transpired. If I find that in an idea of a melody or a lyric that I am working on, I know I can work ahead on that idea. That’s it. Life can be painfully short. We need to celebrate moments which we carry with us.

With a repertoire of songs in Bollywood, which one is your favourite?

There have been a few. But really ‘Dusokute’ from ‘Margarita With A Straw’ feels special. That I made something a few years back and that it resonates in a story set in New Delhi And New York, made by a brilliant director like Shonali Bose. I feel magical. Like there’s a divine hand out there, pulling at the strings. I don’t know honestly, what the present moment is going to take me in the future. That area of the unknown, is magic. That’s why, ‘Dusokute’ will always be special.

When were you‘discovered’in Indian movie industry?

I don’t know if I was ‘discovered’ per se…but I was working almost within 10 days of getting to Bombay. With Anu Malik, on the Club Mix of “dekh le’ from Munnabhai MBBS 1. It was a slow song that they had in the movie, and they had to have a club mix. So while they were working on it, I happened to be there and wrote the English lyrics around a small hook. It worked like magic. And with Sunidhis voice, the track was on fire. It went on to be a smash hit and I started finding my own groove.

You have a band as well, named Joi? When can we see you guys perform for us?

Soon I guess. Though we have performed all over, the only place left out is Mumbai. So we’ll work on that.

Apart from music, what else interests you?

I love watching movies, reading, poetry…etc. Things that let me live in dream world I guess

Any passion for bikes and cars?

Not really. I am very very absent-minded. And mostly, I am never in the moment. Never here. So driving for me is hazardous to my health. I like sitting by the side and gazing out quietly.

Have you made a song for your childhood crush?

Music was the only crush I had….and there were symphonies around that notion.

You have the looks for a perfect Bollywood hero. Are we in for a chance to see you whacking asses onscreen and romancing pretty ladies?

Never! I am very scared of the camera and avoid being photographed as much as I can. So thanks for the compliment, and probably would experiment with it, next life!

So, what’s next in terms of career?

The road less travelled I guess!

From the May 2015 issue of FHM India.