An Interview with Darshaan on the release of "Jungle."
By James Garbett
“A great song is something that gets you feeling how you weren’t feeling before the song started.”
Earlier this week, British-Asian electronic-R&B craftsman Darshaan released “Jungle.”, where he explores a bouncier, more electronic-influenced production, featuring Birmingham rapper Katus Myles and Indian-born soul vocalist NYSZA.
The first single taken from the singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer’s upcoming EP, due for release in 2021, ‘Jungle.’ sees Darshaan blurring genres, cultures and sounds, with a contemporary electronic-R&B tone, all the while emphasising a deeply personal story. Samples evoking the British Indian experience are scattered throughout the track, from the dhol drum sounds Darshaan heard whilst going to Pujas – Hindu religious festivals - as a child in London, to the marimba and a dripping water style synth that recall the torrential downpour he experienced during the Indian monsoon season.
We chatted to him about the production of the track and what it means to him.
Interview
Congratulations on the track! Firstly, how did Katus Myles and NYSZA come to work on the track?
“When I wrote the track 3 years ago, I had no idea how it was going to come together, let alone who was going to feature on it. When I started reworking the song during Lockdown, I sent NYSZA the track first and she gave me so many ideas for it. I cut up her vocal takes from the first version she sent me and they made it into the song. I knew this song needed something different so I DM’d Katus hoping for him to send me a verse and I loved what he sent back. They really make this track something else and I’m grateful they wanted to be part of the project.”
Why was it important to you to capture elements of the British Indian experience in the track?
“I think for a long time, I’ve been trying to get to grips with the cultural dichotomy I’ve had all of my life. Music was an escape from expectations and pressures around me but recently I’ve felt liberated incorporating elements of Indian-style music into my tracks.”
You've said Jungle is your favourite track that you've released, what resonates with you about Jungle.?
“The thing that resonates with me the most about Jungle. is that it felt very unique to me. I hadn’t made anything like it before and I’m just really proud of it. Jungle. was the start of a cathartic process where I discovered what it meant to be a British Indian today.”
Tell us more about the beautiful cover artwork from Mahnoor Ahmad, how did that come about?
“Again, all of these collabs started from a DM. I got recommended to her by another artist and as soon as I sent her the details of the project, we just clicked and the vision was exactly how I had imagined it when coming up with the concept for it. She took inspiration from Moghul Arches from temples. She’s so talented and I’m really glad she made such a beautiful piece for me. Go check her out @mahnoorahmad9”
Can you tell us more about how this idea regarding dual heritage became a song? How did it go from idea to composition to final product?
“I was in isolation with my girlfriend and decided to pick it up the song again after about two years of leaving it. It all really fell into place when I added Dhol drums to the song. It felt authentic to me and not a parody of what I thought Indian music should sound like. Whenever I had tried in the past to add Indian elements into a song, it felt very forced but this added a bold, brash element to the track I couldn’t have achieved without it. The idea and composition go hand in hand for me because I’m constantly working on new ideas that turn themselves into compositions. The final product is the most authentic version of myself.”
What's the main thing going through your mind before you release a song, is it nerves, excitement?
“Always nerves. I hate release day!”
What sort of tracks are coming next? Are you working on anything now?
“I’ve got an EP in the pipeline but a few more singles coming out soon. The next one is a bit more of an indie track similar to Palm of My Hand. but it bangs so I don’t mind!”
What was it like to create a song during a pandemic, were there any changes to your usual process?
“I make everything in my bedroom so nothing really changed as all of the programming and instrumentation was done by me. The only difference was not being able to get to meet Katus during the video shoot, which is coming soon by the way!”
“The name represented everything I thought about the song. It was a bit rough and wild, along with being soft and beautiful in places like a jungle.”
Why Jungle as a title?
“It represented everything I thought about the song. It was a bit rough and wild, along with being soft and beautiful in places like a jungle.”
It's been a whirlwind of a year for you, what's been the best part of it?
“I think it’s been up and down. I was shortlisted for Glastonbury festival this year but obviously that didn’t happen but I was also interviewed for the second time on [BBC] Asian Network. Swings and Roundabouts I guess!”
What have been the key lessons you've learnt so far as an artist?
“Don’t let anything get you down. To some people, it’s just a song, but to you, it’s your hard work and dedication. Put your 100 into it and be proud of what you achieve even if it comes up short.”
Stream Jungle. now.
Follow Darshaan.