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Sneha Mistri
Interview December Issue 2004
Interview
Intoxicating Sneha Mistri
Tell us about your experience growing up.
I had quite a normal "Indian" childhood. Ii was brought up in Birmingham and my
parents instilled the ethics of working hard, which i did.....around my dancing
classes ; my dad encouraged me in the arts even though no one in my family works
in this field.
What influenced you towards music and dance?
I started dancing at the age of 7 after watching fellow pupils at school and I
thought, hey I could do that. At the age of around 11 I started "Bharatnatyum"
which made my parents a little happier, then I started performing all over the
place. That's what gave me the buzz.
Tell us about your work as a choreographer of Bollywood Queen and theatre
production.
This came about after I actually auditioned for a part in Bollywood Queen. I got
to know the director who happened to like the way I danced and asked me if I was
up for trying my hand at choreography, kinda by default, I guess. I think as
people got to know about me, they gave me the chance to choreograph. I do love
choreography, especially for the chance to work with actors and no dancers. Its
a challenge.
How do you combine dance and music together?
Without one there is no other for me. Its not even about dance. Its about stage
presence and awareness of the body. A great singer can look so wrong onstage if
that person is not aware of how to move naturally.
Would you rather work as a musician or choreographer?
Right now I'm concentrating on the music because that's where my passion and
commitments lie. I'm lucky in that I can still choreograph for myself so I've
kinda got the best of both worlds.
You said Indian dance will always be a part of you, how did dance become so
much part of you?
From dancing at such a young age, it became a natural part of my whole self. I
was always known as the "dancer". It's a passion you can't really explain.
Rhythm is so part of all of our lives. There's a rhythm when we walk, and talk
and eat and sleep.
What happened with the girl band?
Well, unfortunately before we launched, circumstances beyond our control made it
come to an end. I think it was fate.
Why did you set out alone?
The skills I learnt during my time with the band gave me the drive to want to
continue in this industry. I didn't want it to end, and so I made every effort
possible to start again and try and make a success of myself on whatever level.
"The sexiness of Kylie, the energy of Britney and the attitude of J Lo" could
you comment on this as to how you combine all these three qualities in your
brand of music?
Well, this was the original idea of what I was about...but this is ever
changing. People always like to compare you to others and so we gave it this
little sound bite. I think it's kinda fun as it does give you a bit of an image
and idea of who "Mistri" is, or was, or will be. Most of all it sounds fun.
How did the writing of "Intoxicating" come about that is done by yourself,
Marveen Wood and the producer Wayne "Tatz" Beckford?
I met up with these guys through their manager over a year or so ago. He told
me, just do what you're doing, and when the time is right we'll get you in the
studio with Wayne and do a track. He was true to his word and "Intoxicating" is
the result. I'm recording more tracks with them in a few weeks. I can't wait, as
these guys are so great to work with.
Do you write lyrics on your own as well?
Yes, I do write lyrics but becoming a "songwriter" is not easy. it's a skill
that's develops over time. I've written loads of songs that I will record at
some point. I like co-writing also because then I'm learning as Igo along.
What do you intend to achieve as song writer?
To write a song that people of all ages can appreciate and feel.
How confident are you that Intoxicating will do well in the download chart?
I'm confident that it will raise my profile, as it has done.
You talk about being a British Asian Woman? How do you see yourself as such and
all other women falling in this category?
Yes I'm a British Asian woman, who is very under represented in this current
climate. Even now I get asked about arranged marriages...I mean "COME ON". It's
time we had positive role models, not only n the arts but in all fields.
With regards to appearance and costumes you differentiate between sexual and
sensual? Why sensuality is so important to you?
Because sensuality comes from within. You can't fake it. Sexual is something
that's should be kept private. sometimes there's a very fine line between the
two but I always hope that that I'm on the right side.
Are you aiming to just get into the Asian music market or to enter mainstream
hitting big?
My music is not only aimed at the Asian market but the Asian market is now
becoming a lot more visual in the mainstream scene and so the crossover
potential is a lot higher now. I will always be knows as an "Asian singer" just
by the way I look. I've had some people coming onto my site assuming I'm from
India before reading anything! It would be nice to be recognised as an artist in
all markets.
Tell us who your favourite musicians and singers are?
Prince, Beyonce, Nitin Sawhney (especially when he goes all flamenco - I just
melt)
What do you do when you are not singing or choreographing?
I like to sleep!! I love keeping active too which sounds like a complete
contradiction!! So a good tai bo workout gets me going! Oh the usual, films,
reading, catching up with my close friends and shopping.
What have you read recently?
Dann Brown - Da Vinci Code - I absolutely loved it and read the other 2 books of
his right after, easy reading. I'm a big fan of Michael Moore too, and I'm still
going through Monica Ali's "Brick Lane"
Tell our readers a typical day of your life.
There's not really a typical day. Maybe, a typical week. Ccouple of days
rehearsal, hopefully a day in the studio recording, shopping for costumes and
getting ideas or teaching dance classes! ask me again next week and it will be
totally different.
Sneha's Intoxicating can be downloaded from any of these online music stores:
HMV
http://sib1.od2.com/common/Framework.aspx?shid=005C0045
MSN Music
http://sib1.od2.com/common/Framework.aspx?shid=0170002E
MTV Online
http://sib1.od2.com/common/Framework.aspx?shid=01700073
Virgin Online
http://sib1.od2.com/common/Framework.aspx?shid=03AF002E
For more visit Sneha's Website:
http://www.snehamistri.com
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