No algorithms, just heart: Tiger Baby Records debuts with 'City Sessions'

The music label Tiger Baby Records, founded by filmmakers Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar along with musician Ankur Tewari, recently launched its debut album 'City Sessions', which is now streaming on all big audio platforms. THE WEEK interviews Ankur Tewari to know more:

 

What is the concept behind 'City Sessions'?

It came from conversations that were going around in music conferences and living room studios.

Most of the discussion hovered around technology and numbers, especially algorithms, virality, AI and its role in the larger music arena. What also emerged was how music back then was so much better, simpler and melodious than it is now.

So we decided to go down the memory lane and how music was recorded earlier, and what we noticed at Tiger Baby Records is that musicians are getting lonelier working behind the desk and not having much face to face time with other musicians and artists and technicians.

We almost did a song-writing camp where we put the musicians, the lyricists, the technicians and singers and even the filmmakers and producers all in the same room, and we recorded the music live.

 

Is it true that this was done without the interference of Artificial Intelligence? If yes, why not embrace technology instead?

Technology has its ups and downs. The good part is that it helps you make interesting music, including creating sounds that were not humanly possible before. The downside is that you need less and less humans to do that. So we wanted to create a project where there's human interaction between artists and technicians.

With the tech around you, a single person can make really beautiful kickass songs without the presence of any other human being at all, but I felt that this project had to take the tech out and only keep humans together, just like the way they did back then.

 

How does music come to you? As in, what gets you into the zone for making good music?

For me it starts with a feeling, which converts into an idea, which churns through a meditative riyaaz or a jamming session, and that's how a song is born.

 

What have been your most favourite songs till date?

For me, the song, 'Sabse Peeche Hum Khade', which I wrote long back, has opened many doors for me. Then, another of my songs called 'Jeene Mein Aaye Maza' was done in a very special way. They both hold a special place in my heart.

 

How does Tiger Baby Records stand out in today's cluttered environment?

So for instance, when we started, songs were called numbers. So we wanted to take that away and ensure that the charm of a song isn't replaced by numbers.

 

We are not pushing ourselves to just make the next viral hit or the next trend. The endeavour instead is to make honest, heartfelt music—whether its a hip-hop song, a lullaby, a sufiana piece or something else. The most important thing is that it should either move your body or your soul.

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