Rusha and Blizza, a dynamic musical duo, have been making waves with their unique folktronica music. In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, they discussed being featured on a billboard in Times Square, their ‘folktronica’ sound and their most recent song, Gal Mukdi.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
Following the tremendous popularity of their hit song Dilbar, which went viral on YouTube and Instagram and won over hearts all over India, the dynamic musical duo Rusha and Blizza have reached a major milestone by appearing on the famous Times Square Billboard in New York. With their avant-garde ‘folktronica’ music, they are making waves in the middle of the commercial sounds that are taking over the music landscape. Their most recent album, Gal Mukdi, conveys a deep message about the search for inner peace and the truth, highlighting the elimination of ego as a means of achieving these spiritual objectives. The ‘folktronica’ pioneers have always taken a risk-taking approach to their music! Their initial sound went viral, bringing about a radical change in the music industry and positioning them as cutting-edge trendsetters. Their unconventional approach to music creation has brought in a new wave of sounds, breaking conventions and changing the Indian music scene’s sonic landscape. Rusha and Blizza are a unique ten-year journey that began in 2010 with an accidental meeting in a gym. They flawlessly merge experimental soundscapes with the rich fabric of Indian musical traditions. A few snippets from an exclusive interview with them are provided here:
Just a while ago, you guys were featured on the Times Square billboard! What was the experience like?
RUSHA: For us, appearing on the Times Square billboard was a huge accomplishment and a dream come true. It was a noteworthy accomplishment that shows how far we’ve come from our modest origins. This international recognition encouraged us to keep aiming for greatness while also honouring our previous accomplishments. It was really motivating and it served as a reminder of the global influence that our music may have.
A distinctive genre known as ‘‘Folktronica’’ combines electronic components with traditional folk music. Could you describe the initial thought process?
BLIZZA: Seeing musicians all around the world fusing folk and electronic music inspired us to start experimenting with ‘folktronica’. By fusing sound design with folk components, we aimed to expand on this idea and give this genre a new direction. Our intention is to always develop our sound by constantly experimenting and pushing the envelope. We believe that by taking a fresh perspective, we can motivate other musicians and further the continuous development of music.
Gal Mukdi, your most latest release, explores deep subjects. What gave you the idea?
RUSHA: Gal Mukdi’s message is that eradicating ego from our hearts is the only way to pursue inner peace and the truth. The song highlights how crucial it is to move past individualistic viewpoints in order to promote a community’s connection to the cosmos. It is based on poems by Bulleh Shah and questions conventional ideas of religious devotion by emphasising the need to give up ego in order to find true peace. In order to foster harmony inside and unification outside of oneself, this message invites listeners to embrace a more accepting and altruistic viewpoint.
What kind of creative process did you go through when working with Mitika?
BLIZZA: The process of working with Mitika Kanwar on Gal Mukdi flowed naturally. Her skill as a vocalist and capacity to emote effectively made her the ideal candidate for this song. It was motivating to work with her because she gave the song a certain depth and vitality that improved its overall impression. There was a lot of back-and-forth during the creative process as we all contributed ideas to make our styles combine together.
Bulleh Shah’s poetry is heavily featured in Gal Mukdi. How do his teachings align with your artistic vision?
RUSHA: The lessons of Bulleh Shah stress the value of selflessness and inner serenity, which strongly align with our own values and aesthetic vision. His poetry encourages us to write music that goes beyond individualism and fosters a sense of oneness with the cosmos. We work hard to infuse these deep ideas into our music, inspiring listeners to see beyond themselves and adopt a more accepting viewpoint.
What difficulties did you have in establishing this genre in a market where more commercial sounds predominate?
BLIZZA: It has been difficult to introduce and popularise folktronica in a market where commercial sounds predominate. Audiences and industry insiders used to conventional or mainstream music initially opposed our efforts. But listeners eventually came to appreciate our commitment to originality and genuineness. In order to become known and accepted, we concentrated on developing a strong online presence and interacting with our audience directly on social media platforms.
RUSHA: ‘Folktronica’ appears to have a bright future as more musicians investigate this genre and contribute new sounds and viewpoints. The combination of traditional and electronic music is becoming more and more appreciated in India. ‘Folktronica’ is becoming more and more popular around the world as people look for distinctive and avant-garde musical experiences. We think that this genre will keep developing and influencing upcoming audiences and performers.
Your journey started with an impromptu encounter at a gym. Could you elaborate on how your musical collaboration came to be as a result of that first meeting?
RUSHA: In 2010, our partnership started out of the blue. We’ve created a distinctive sound over the last ten years by fusing Indian musical traditions with experimental components. Some of the highlights of our journey have included working on the dance theatre music video series album Vision One, which will be released in 2024 and taking on major business endeavours. Our friendship has grown stronger with time and our joint endeavours have continuously pushed the limits of music production.
What tactics do you use in an industry where convention is frequently enforced to remain faithful to your unconventional approach?
BLIZZA: By always experimenting with new sounds and concepts, we stay faithful to our unconventional approach while making sure that our music is still approachable and relatable. Our goal is to establish a deep bond with our audience by using thought-provoking content and important messaging. We keep our distinctive style while appealing to a wide audience by striking a balance between creativity and relatability.
What part do social media sites play in your audience engagement?
RUSHA: Social media channels are essential to our approach to connecting with and interacting with our audience. We can distribute our music, interact with fans and reach a worldwide audience thanks to these platforms. We utilise Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes information, reels for quick, interesting videos and YouTube for music videos. By allowing us to interact with our listeners directly and have a strong online presence, social media promotes a feeling of connection and community.
Could you take us through Sanson Ki Mala’s creative process?
BLIZZA: Sanson Ki Mala’s artistic journey started with an exploration of the rich tradition of Indian devotional music. We wanted to transfer the spiritual essence of traditional bhajans into a modern setting since we were moved by their ageless charm. The idea changed as we experimented with fusing these classic tunes with cutting-edge electronic components to produce a unique and emotive atmosphere. We made a conscious effort to keep the song true to its original form while including fresh rhythms and textures that would appeal to a modern listenership. The last track, which reflects our dedication to upholding tradition while pushing musical frontiers, is a tasteful fusion of the old and the new.
RUSHA: Sanson Ki Mala was inspired during a period of self-examination and spiritual contemplation. The concept of commitment and how it transcends geography and time struck a chord with us. The song’s trajectory was determined by this epiphany, which brought us to themes of love, spirituality and inner calm. With the intention of crafting a song that connects with our listeners deeply on an emotional level, the inspiration enabled us to imbue the track with a sense of reverence and tranquility.
The duo is currently working on Vision One, their future dance theatre music video series album, which will be released in 2024. They are working on big business projects that will have a big influence on the music industry in addition to this enormous initiative. The inventiveness and distinctive synthesis of musical elements that characterize Rusha & Blizza’s journey bear witness to their constant commitment to pushing artistic limits and making a lasting impression on the world music landscape.
