MADBOY, the
solo electronic project of Imaad Shah, is based out of Mumbai, India. The act is less than a year old
and since his first release last year, of the well recieved EP ‘Boy’, Imaad has
played to audiences all across the country at almost every live music venue in
Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, Kolkata, and other cities. He has played at Red
Light Radio, Amsterdam, Sorte Firkante, Copenhagen and Ziro Festival of Music.
As part of the popular Electro-Funk duo Madboy/Mink, he has played
on Goan shores before. However, this is his first solo gig in the state, and it
is one wherein he aims to deliver a sound that has previously been untapped.
With touches of Acid, Disco, Hip-Hop instrumentals, genre-defying electronic
music, his trademark vocals, guitar and dense synth-laden soundscapes, the
Electro-Soul inspired sound and live show uses elements of high energy dance
music, and places it in the context of old school Funk and Soul influences-
with live guitar and synthesisers. Imaad is also the son of Indian cinematic
icon, Naseeruddin Shah.
HERALD CAFÉ: What
inspired the moniker MADBOY?
MADBOY: It’s an old pet name of mine. It
organically became my producer name. I found the name to be simple and
unpretentious, and it stuck.
HC: Growing
up with a father who is an icon in the cinematic sphere, was it hard to come
into your own, as there is an often silent expectation to match the same levels
of success?
MB: The stakes are high, so I work hard- and
on multiple things at one time. My father works hard at his craft and always
has. He’s a great role model in terms of his dedication and focus. I hope to
take my work as a musician and combine it with other forms – theatre and film –
in the very near future.
HC: Would
you say that your musical style has certain influences and undertones that
could be referenced to a Daft Punk-meets-Pink Floyd style?
MB: I like to create my own style as I make
music, and I’m certainly inspired by many of the great songwriters over the
different eras. This particular EP has a strong Soul-Neo Soul influence, but I
like to do my own take on styles of music and make them my own.
HC: While
Goa has a primed stage for electronic music, that audience is generally driven
towards trance or house. How do you think they will receive what you have to
offer?
MB: I hope they enjoy the EP and show… I’m
sure they will. I like to think of myself as a versatile electronic producer,
so I do all kinds of stuff, and I’m not opposed to those styles. Though I think
the pleasure lies in introducing an audience to a sound they might be a little
unfamiliar with, bringing them over to your sound and making them have a great
night. Also, hopefully giving them an EP that can live with them in their
personal listening.
MADBOY
is set to perform live tonight, at Cafe Cotinga in Anjuna, from 8 PM onwards
