It is an unlikely surprise! Mira Veda’s debut album, Infinite Love, catches you unawares, for all you are expecting some sort of a fusion album. Instead you experience a powerful blend of soul, R&B and very sultry singing. Mira, born in Pune and raised in Calgary, Canada is one of the new breed of women singers of South Asian origin who are making waves in the world of music. Sure Mira does not have a big time record deal, but she is on her way. She made her debut on Deepak Chopra’s Gift of Love album, and since then has impressed many a few including Zakhm, an up-and-coming DJ/turntablist from New York. On the more bizzare front, she just might be the only South Asian musician to have performed at Michael Jackson’s Never Never Land. What is surprising is that she came to the US only “about 3 years ago.” Here are excerpts from a recent interview…
NRI/TT: Tell us about yourself
Well…I love caramel. Hmmm…and I love to travel. I have to say that reading is my passion. I usually read a lot of non-fiction. My family thinks I am insane because I have so many books. I also write poetry and do a little spoken word here and there. Most of my stuff is very intimate. I write a lot of poetry on longing, wanting and how it relates to that universal connection. I think it can be related to our relationships to one another but mostly its my relationship to the ultimate reality.
NRI/TT: Where are you from?
My family is from Punjab. I am Sikh. I was raised in Calgary, AB. In Canada. I came to the US about 3 years ago. Basically I just told my
parents I cut an album. I don’t think they think I am serious about it….which is fine. I am just enjoying myself.
NRI/TT: How did you get into music?
Just sort of fell into my lap. I have been singing for years…ever since I was a whee little kid. I love to sing and I am shocked every day that I am actually doing this! I started my professional journey in music about 2 years ago when a few of my friends kept promoting me for different projects without my knowledge…I was surprised how much work I was getting…then I decided to do a demo…I just wanted to record a few songs…then I ended up recording a few more and alas a CD came of it. I just kept on following the flow. I still can’t believe it.
NRI/TT. Who are your musical influences?
I would have to say…Sade, and Lou Rawls greatly influenced me. I also love Etta James. I take a little bit from everyone. I am influenced everyday…even alternative rock…just depends.
NRI/TT: Tell us a little about the genesis of this album?
Well…I worked on it with a few different people. Chin Injeti is a amazing talented singer/songwriter/producer and we wrote most of the album together. We spent a lot of time creating. I admired his work and wanted to work with him. Larry Batiste is the other producer I worked with. Larry has been in the biz for as long as I’ve been alive!!! He was the former president of the SF Chapter for the grammy’s and he is sooo amazingly talented. I collaborated on songs with him as well. You can tell the different flavor the two different producers brought to the album. Its something I am very proud of.
NRI/TT: So what’s next? Are you touring or going on a promotional tour?
Right now I am working a lot in the studio. I have been performing at a few different places, mostly private functions…actually just 3 weeks ago I performed at Michael Jackson’s ranch in Neverland…that was sooo unbelievable!!! The man has an insane house! I will be doing a short tour here in California…I may hit the east coast…soon..I hope. Next year I definitely want to be in Europe. I want to spend my summer touring there. That would be nice!
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