Like many creative minds, Peferd Da Costa found the time to work on his music during the pandemic. Little did he know that his cover songs would gain popularity and he soon would be signing a record deal. “It’s been four years since I entered the music industry, after signing a record deal with the Goa-based record label Buenos Muzik in 2019. ‘Raahain’ will mark my eighth official release. Currently, I’m under a three-year contract with the Delhi-based record label, Songdew Network Pvt Ltd and have some exciting releases planned,” says the young artiste from Vasco-da-Gama.
Though Pefred has worked with various genres and sounds, he has decided to focus on Indi-Hindi and Indi-English. “I’m especially proud of my debut single, ‘She Called Me on a Christmas Night,’ which comes with an entrancing music video directed by Milroy Goes, a filmmaker from Los Angeles. The video also features Bollywood actress Mayanka Pereira, adding an extra layer of visual splendour,” he says.
Pefred had been searching for the right sound as an artiste and he says it found it with ‘Raahain’, “I’ve been very experimental with my music, searching for the right sound for myself as an artiste. With ‘Raahain’, I believe I’ve found it. Despite Hindi not being my native language, the positive response to songs like ‘Kinare’ and ‘Tum Mile,’ both falling under the Indi-pop genre, as well as their inclusion in Spotify playlists, indicated I was on the right path. This is when I decided to create more songs like these, which led to the composition and production of ‘Raahain’. The song was composed in a day, with the lyrics taking about three days to complete. The song’s production took approximately a month,” he says.
Speaking about his experience of shooting the video for ‘Raahain’, Pefred says, “Raahain’ will feature a relatable and heart-warming music video. The music video will depict people finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. For my part, we traveled to Velsao beach in South Goa to shoot some of my scenes for the music video. During the shoot, we encountered quite a bit of rain, and our equipment nearly got wet. Fortunately, nothing went wrong, and we captured fantastic shots. Overall, it was a fun experience shooting the video, and it’s even more special because it will feature real people sharing their genuine experiences, including some familiar faces.”
Pefred usually collaborates with his good friend Joshua Da Silva when writing his songs. However, his choice of music producers depends on the style and vibe of the song. Currently, his consistent music producers are Rogen (Indonesia) and Dan (USA). He has some exciting collaborations lined up, including songs with Bangalore-based Akshita Mengi, Portugal-based Fado singer Cuca Roseta and Goa’s own renowned musicians JSF and Alison Gonsalves.
Speaking about how it feels to create original songs and music, he explains, “Creating music has always served as my refuge from reality and a means to cope with depression. I firmly believe that music has the power to heal people and is the most accessible form of therapy. While I’ve experimented with various music genres in the past, including pop rock, ballads, and contemporary songs, I’ve discovered that indie music resonates with me the most and brings me the greatest joy. My upcoming songs will continue in this genre.”
Peferd is highly inspired by John Mayer and even has his biggest poster framed in his bedroom. Although his style of music is entirely different than Peferd’s, his unique songwriting style, genuine lyrics, and guitar-based music have always inspired him. “Personality-wise, I feel a personal connection with him. Someday, my dream is to sing with him,” says Peferd optimistically.
What’s next in the pipeline? “My next song is an upbeat and groovy Indie Hindi track, ‘Yeh Daastan’. The song is currently in production and features a unique structure. It includes catchy lines in the chorus, a blend of guitars, 90’s-inspired piano melodies, and modern elements. I’m genuinely excited about it, and I’m confident that people will love it too,” concludes Peferd, as he eagerly awaits the release of the song.
‘Raahain’ will be accessible for streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music, Amazon Prime, and more. The song will also be featured on India’s top radio stations.
