Ever wonder what happens when Aussie creativity crashes into Bollywood's vibrant music scene? Well, Dan Spirovski, JMC Audio Engineering HOD in Brisbane found out first-hand during his trip to India, where he teamed up with acclaimed musician and producer Raghav Sachar. Here’s the inside scoop on their jam session and some wise words from Raghav himself.
In the heart of Mumbai, at Raghav's Autotune Studio, a spontaneous decision to collaborate brought together two distinct musical worlds. They chose “Jashn-E-Bahara,” a track beloved for its classic vibe and emotional depth, as their playground for fusion. This choice set the stage for a unique East meets West blend, with Dan bringing the soulful tones of his saxophone and Raghav infusing the piece with the rich timbres of his flute. They blended their styles into something special, all while donning Kurta and Pajama to get into the vibe.
The result? A one-minute video where Dan and Raghav blend their musical backgrounds, proving music knows no boundaries. It’s a cool blend of East meets West. Catch the video of Dan and Raghav’s session and see for yourself how music can bridge worlds. It’s all about creativity, collaboration, and breaking down barriers—one note at a time.
Straight from Raghav: Q&A
Q: What motivates you to engage in international collaborations?
A: International collaborations are always exciting and are a very rewarding experience. All the artists from all over the world have a different approach to music and being a multi-instrumentalist myself, I’m always looking forward to connecting with skilful artists and creating soulful music.
Q: How do you see music as a tool for cultural exchange?
A: Music is a universal language and perhaps the best way to connect between multiple cultures. Different parts of the world have different musical instruments with different colours, timbre and cultural background. I personally love picking up old heritage instruments from different parts of the world like didgeridoo from Australia, Shakuhachi and Koto from Japan, Bagpipes from Scotland to name a few. By taking up these instruments I get to learn a lot about the original culture and history of that country.
Q: With your vast experience in the music industry, how does this particular collaboration highlight the importance of cross-cultural exchanges in music?
A: This particular collaboration was interesting because I am a saxophonist and I have a different approach when I play an Indian/Bollywood song, but the way Dan performed it on his Saxophone was something that I might not have thought of doing, it sounded really amazing. Also, me playing the flute in a Desi (typical Indian) style and Dan playing his Saxophone on a semi classical Bollywood song is a performance people would love.
Q: Any advice for artists keen on exploring cross-cultural musical ventures?
A: Artists should always be open to exploring new sounds and creating extraordinary musical pieces. Cross cultural musical collaborations are a great way to bring two cultures/countries together, it also helps in strengthening political ties. There is immense learning and musical growth for musicians who are keen on cross cultural collaborations. Sometimes it can bring upon a revolutionary change in the musician’s outlook towards their music, instruments and life in general.
For anyone at JMC thinking about mixing it up with artists from around the world, this story is your green light. It’s about pushing boundaries, getting creative, and seeing where the music takes you ~
For anyone at JMC thinking about mixing it up with artists from around the world, this story is your green light. it's about pushing boundaries, getting creative, and seeing where the music takes you ~
