vandanajain

words cannot explain how much i love vandana and her music! before you go on reading the questions i have asked her, watch this beautiful video on youtube here!!!gogogo!

1. Let’s start off with a little background information, who are you? (name,where are you from, etc.)

My name is Vandana Jain. Pronounced Van - (vun) da - (the) na. I grew up in India, Bangalore, but my family originates from Rajasthan, a really incredible desert state. I studied graphic design at LCC in London and moved to New York four years ago to work for an advertising agency. Generally, I have spent a lot of time locked away in my bedroom, singing, drawing and making objects.

2.) How would you describe your sound to people who haven’t heard of you yet?

My music is a mix of dark moody sounds interlaced with an underlaying derisive sweetness. It has an experimental, slightly psychedelic vibe. What makes it special is that I use a lot of quarter tones and unfamiliar chords in my melodies, and this comes very naturally and spontaneously to me, perhaps because I grew up listening to ragas and bollywood soundtracks.

3.) How did you start making music? Were you always interested in it?

Making music started just as a bit of fun .. when it did, I never thought that it would amount to listenable music. About two years ago, I was at a freelance graphic design job at an audio production company and I had my client listen to a few songs I'd recorded for musicians back in India and in London. Somehow, he convinced me to take singing seriously and although it had always been a raw dream at the back of my head, coming from a complete stranger, it made me look at the option closely. So I started collaborating with a few producers and since I found no one who wanted to make the kind of songs I liked, I started writing and composing during my free time and was immediately hooked. Then I couldn't sleep. I was having too much fun.

4.) When I first listened to Chopper I felt a similarity between Portishead’s work. Have they had an impact on your music style?

They probably have. Portishead along with Tricky and Massive Attack were among the first few western bands that really captivated me. Their music is far from comfortable, but thats the feeling I always got when I listened to them, and I think that this sort of dark, nasty, obsessive sound was somewhere inside me.

5.) so, what’s playing on your ipod right now?

Blood Moon by Apes and Androids as I'm writing...

6.) what is your fashion style like?

I progress along with the trends but only a very little bit at a time - I can't do slashed tees and ripped tights, I'd like to some how, but I can't. There's a lot I experiment with within my idea of what fantastic clothes are. I like mixing shapeless and heavy duty with feminine details. This is so much the look thats going around right now, so I'm loving this years trend! I don't like looking dainty, I think this is a reaction to belie my extremely feminine physical appearance.

7.) what do you think are closet basics? 5 pieces everyone should have in their closet, and why?

a pair of black ankle boots or closed shoes with dwarfing heels

a biker style denim jacket

churidars- basically harem pants from india, but heavily gathered and fitted along the lower half... awesome in prints.

an outrageous piece of clothing or jewelry- vintage or new. I think every girl should own something that stands out from the rest of the crowd.

a must have for me is black opaque tights

right now these are pieces I really fancy and wear all the time - can be dressed up or down very easily.

8.) who is your favorite designer? (why)

Vivienne Westwood, Ann Demeulemeester, Antonio Berardi, Balenciaga, Gareth Pugh, John Galliano, Comme Des Garcons, Wunderkind, Maison Martin Margiela, Mark Fast ... and the list can go on and on ... you can't help but imagine what inspired them to make a collection- there is an intelligence and an intensity behind their designs which are also beautifully executed. And they look fantastic on.

9.) how do you choose what to wear to a performance?

It depends on what I want the gig to be about, also on the venue and on my mood. Usually I end up wearing something I'm very comfortable in but obviously to affect!

10.) something random about yourself/anything else you would like to add.

I'm loving the opportunity to get to create every detail that rounds me up and defines who I am. Its a unique chance that will probably fade as I grow as an artist ... so I'm eating it!

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