Thursday, November 7, 2024

Creating a musical saga with his exceptional mashups

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Mashups have been a thing these days, and today, The Pioneer has the mashup star Gravero getting candid about his journey, the mashup process, his recent song Raabta, and more.

TEJAL SINHA
Mashup’s have undeniably been a favourite of many and a go-to music lately that just mixes up two different moods, two similar moods, or whatever. And that is where we have the talented musician and mashup artist Gravero onboard with us, sharing his inclination towards music, mashups, and a lot more. Well, there’s really interesting news for all the music lovers at the end of this interview. So, keep yourself hooked on your couch and give it a read.
His inclination towards music began at a young age, inspired by a deep appreciation for its ability to create connections. Growing up, he found comfort in various genres, which ultimately led him to pursue a career in music. “I’m drawn to the unlimited creative possibilities music offers, allowing me to express myself authentically and connect with others on a deep level. Whether it’s through composing, remixing, or collaborating with fellow artists, music has always been a powerful means of self-expression and communication for me,” shares the talented artist. Before we go ahead, what’s it with Gravero—the name we mean? So, picture this: “I started out as ‘Master-B’—yes, I know, not the best choice. And it led to some awkward teasing. So, I decided it was time for a change. While brainstorming with a friend, we came up with ‘Graver’, but then I thought, ‘Nah, that’s not quite me anymore.’ So, I threw in an ‘O’ and voila, ‘Gravero’ was born! It doesn’t have some deep meaning behind it. I just thought it sounded cool, plus it’s a bit of a nod to how my music gravitates towards different genres. I feel like sometimes you just have to go with what sounds right, even if it’s a made-up word.”
Interesting one, Gravero! Well, talking about his mashup, he has always focussed on storytelling. Instead of just blending two songs in the same key, he picks tracks that fit together like pieces of a puzzle. It’s all about creating a musical saga where each song serves as a chapter in the story. By mixing different elements from each track, he takes his listeners on a journey that keeps them engaged and wanting more.
“My process is pretty organic,” says the musician. “I listen to a ton of music, like, all the time. When a track really clicks with me, it’s like my brain instantly starts humming along, coming up with melodies that fit with it or are inspired by it. From there, I get into blending these melodies with the original track. If it sounds good together and captures the vibes I’m going for, I move on to the next steps, which are mixing, mastering, and maybe even creating a video to go along with it.” But again, here’s the thing—he’s not just about the music. “Before I even start working on a mashup, I make sure to watch the movies associated with the songs.”
Looking back at the turning point in his life, it’s been the mashup combination of  Let Me Down Slowly and Main Dhoondne Ko Zamane Mein, and, “Let me tell you, it went absolutely viral back in 2021. I’m talking over 200 million views, which is kind of viral! It’s hard to put into words just how much it changed my life. Suddenly, doors that were once closed started swinging wide open. I was getting invitations to collaborate with other artists and perform at major events. It was like, overnight, I went from being a relatively unknown musician to having a global audience. But beyond the numbers, what really struck me was the connection I was able to make with listeners through that mashup. It was like the music spoke to people in a way that I never could have imagined. And that, to me, is the true power of music—to bring people together and make them feel special.”
When it comes to selecting songs for his mashups, it’s all about the connection he has with his audience. “So when it comes to choosing songs, I keep all of that in mind. I know what they’re feeling, what they want to hear, and even what mood I’m in myself. It’s like we’re all on the same page. They trust my judgment and know that whatever song I choose to mashup, it’s going to resonate with them. I like to keep things unexpected yet pleasing. That’s the secret sauce. So when I decided to mashup Make You Mine and Apna Bana Le, it was about capturing that unexpected twist while still delivering something that hits home for my audience. And judging by the response, I think we nailed it.”
The toughest part of making mashups, he says, is getting two different songs to fit together effortlessly. It’s like trying to mix two flavours in cooking, you want them to complement each other, not clash. You have to match the keys, tempos, and rhythms just right, while still keeping the essence of each song intact. It takes a lot of patience and skill to make it work, but when it does, it’s like magic!
Recently, he also released the song Raabta, which has received so much love. An ecstatic Gravero says, “Oh my god, thank you for asking about my original music. It means a lot to me. Raabta holds a special place in my heart! It’s a song born from the depths of a broken heart. It resonates deeply with my own experiences. My personal life hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced my fair share of challenges in love, feeling like an option and experiencing one-sided love, yet I was unable to let go of the love I felt. I collaborated with my friend Priyansh to create the instrumental, and together with one of my favourite artists, SickLot, we brought the lyrics to life. The lyrics hit me hard: Tere Bina Main Hoon Kya?, Mere Bina Tu Hai Puri, Main Hi Kyun Aakhir, Adhoora Reh Gaya.”
Arranging the vocal stems, he reveals that he found himself in tears. It was both relatable and immensely powerful. To complement the song, he created a visualiser that depicts the streets where they first met and where they said their final goodbyes. “Raabta is more than just a song to me. It’s a piece of my soul. While it may not have received the recognition it deserves yet, I believe that one day, it will resonate with many others who have experienced similar heartache. And when that day comes, it will be a celebration of love, loss, and the power of music to heal.”
And here comes an interesting revelation that we were talking about at the beginning of this interview. “I’ve got a version of Alan Walker’s Who I Am coming your way, and trust me, you’ll love it. We’re taking a fusion of sounds from all across Pan India—sitar, sarangi, tabla, flute, you name it. I’ve poured over 100 hours into perfecting this remix, and let me tell you, it’s been worth every second. Now, here’s where it gets even better! Siddharaj Parmar’s flute and Mohak Chabbaria’s mix mastering have taken this remix to a whole new level of beauty. And don’t even get me started on the vocals!! Peder Elias and Putri Ariani have truly outdone themselves. Their voices are like pure magic, weaving effortlessly through the intricate layers of sound.”

So yes, get ready to be swept away by this remix. It’s a journey through the sounds of India, with a touch of Alan Walker’s signature magic thrown in. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
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