Catch up with the godfather of beatboxing who is in town today
Catch up with the godfather of beatboxing who is in town today
His collaboration with Bjork had nominated him for a Grammy, he started the world's first beatbox choir called Vocal Orchestra, he made the crowds go crazy at the Glastonbury music festival. He collaborated with the likes of Nitin Sawhney and Swarthama with astounding results. With such an impressive CV, Shlomo -- one of the most acclaimed names in international beatboxingu00a0-- is now touring India. MiDDAY caught up with him as he geared up to perform at the Capital tonight.
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion which primarily involves the art of producing drum beats, rhythm and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntables, the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments. 
How did you take to beatboxing?
I've been making noises since I was tiny, before I knew it was called beatboxing. I took up drums at the age of eight and the vocal stuff was just a way of practicing the drums when I didn't have my kit. I didn't hear any other beatboxers until my teens and I was excited -- I had to learn how to do that!
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Why do you only release your music online?
For me releasing my music online for free was the obvious way to do it -- I knew I would never make money from selling records as beatboxing is such a live experience -- it's more of a performance art than a recorded one. So any music I make, I like to share just for the fun of it.
How do you feel about
collaborating with the likes of Swarathma, Sidd Coutto (Tough on Tobacco), Vivek Rajagopalan and Raies Khan?
I'm fascinated with the idea of clubbing beatboxing with traditional Indian techniques. There is so much in common about vocal rhythms; it's amazing how both traditions were born in totally
different parts of the world at different times. I have no idea what is going to happen and that is part of the beauty of the collaboration.
What are the things you want to experience in India?
I've always wanted to come to India to witness the culture -- especially the food, and of course, the music. When British Council and That Cat Entertainment invited me to come for a tour I was really excited. Hopefully the music will attract a diverse audience -- beatboxing tends to appeal to a whole range of people.
What do you think of Indian music and musicians?
I really love the rhythmic focus of so much of the Indian music I've heard. I can't wait to cross my rhythms with a lot of these Indian rhythms.
What is the concept behind conducting beatboxing workshops here?
I do an introduction to beatboxing. The workshop is designed to get absolutely anybody making music with their voice learn within 60 minutes, whether he/she is a toddler or a granny.
What are your future plans?
Right now I'm developing two shows -- the first is a group piece called BOXED which is a bit like beatboxing's answer to the percussion show Stomp. I'm also working on a new full-length solo piece called Mouthtronica with which I'll be touring next spring.
At: Hard Rock Cafe, DLF Place, Saket
Ring: 47158888
Timings: 9 pm onwards
Entry: Rs 500
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