I Have A Special Equation With Delhi: Raghu Dixit

Singer-songwriter Raghu Dixit might have never sung most of his songs in Kannada, yet the 42-year-old singer never misses an opportunity to perform in Delhi. As he gears up for his gig with his band, Raghu Dixit Project, in the Capital on July 1, he talks about his special equation with the city, his love for live performances and his recent foray into film music. Excerpts:

Your last performance in Delhi was in March and you’re back with yet another show. What brings you here so often?
Delhi has always been so high on energy, during all of our performances [in the past]. That’s something, which only Delhi offers, and we perform everywhere in the country. Even Pune doesn’t have that kind of energy, despite it being a place full of youngsters. We have had some memorable gigs in Delhi and this place has an amazing intellectual and cultural vibe, as opposed to Mumbai, which is more commercial and that’s even more special.

What are your thoughts on Justin Bieber getting slammed for lip-syncing at his India concert? Do you find it wrong?
I don’t think there is anything right or wrong in this [incident]. It depends on the artists, really. Many artists do that because they are scared they might make a goof up, and they are too embarrassed to do that. With Justin Bieber, I think it’s not just singing that he came here for. He was here to dance, engage with the audiences among other things. He did his acoustic set, which was brilliant and there’s no doubt that he is a great artist. There are more things than just singing at the concert.

Have you ever lip-synced on your own songs while performing at a concert?
I haven’t done that for a simple reason that I am not afraid or embarrassed to make a goof up. It’s a live show and I know mistakes happen. It happens that I am singing in a different key, and then I stop the song, apologise to the crowd, and sing it again from scratch. I am not apprehensive that way. If you are honest, audiences like that, and they respond to that. I think audiences deserve far more credit than we actually give them.

You have started composing for films as well, and eight of the films that you have composed music for, are releasing this year. How does it feel?
Yes, that’s something, which I have been extensively doing this year. I love composing for films, and it’s a different sort of a challenge as well. I have composed for seven movies in Kannada and one is going to be a Bollywood number. It also gives me a chance to experiment with different genres, which I can’t do with the band. So, I have done some really crazy stuff for these films. From heavy metal to Hindustani classical music, I have played around with every genre for these films.