SEL

At the forefront of modern Indian music, SEL (Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy) pursues an impressive career both in prolific Bollywood and on stage. Influenced by the diverse backgrounds of its members, SEL's eclectic music blends in a unique manner influences from Indian classical music, pop, jazz, fusion, and electronica. Here is our interview with Ehsaan.

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A Few Words with Ehsaan

Your amazing band, SEL, is a prominent actor in modern Indian music, both deeply rooted in classical Indian music and influenced by pop, jazz and electronica. What is the balance you are looking for between these different influences?

Well it's pretty much determined by the kind of film/project we are composing music for. Since Indian music comes from certain traditions, people relate to a lot of the traditional percussion and melodic instruments, like the flute for instance. But then, we introduced certain styles, like trance, in one of our earlier soundtrack called Dil Chahta Hai (What the Heart Wants). The film was about three friends who are modern urban Indians. In this soundtrack, we didn't use a single classical instrument! The influences more often than not aren't forced into the song, it's pretty much what the situation and the script demands.

As a guitar player, what kind of training did you have—traditional or modern?

Well, I started out playing guitar back in 1978 and was totally into rock bands like Deep Purple, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, and the like—they were my influences. I studied at The Musicians Institute (Hollywood, CA) between 1985 and 1986. That year completely changed my outlook towards music, and besides getting my playing together, the study of harmony and theory helped me with my songwriting abilities.

How did you start SEL?

We worked together in different combinations in the studios in Bombay, mainly composing music for advertising. I was approached by a film maker to compose the music for his film. I felt that if the three of us, with our varied backgrounds got together, we would be able to compose some eclectic music!

Your Filmography is very impressive. Does that leave you time for live performances and other musical projects?

Shankar is a very accomplished classical singer, he's very often on the road with John mcLaughlin and Shakti! Loy and I have a blues band of our own! We perform together as SEL and in our different avatars. So it's a good balance between studio and live.

Bollywood is incredibly prolific and music takes such an important place in Indian movies. Could you tell us more about your work there?

Every Bollywood film uses music as part of the script. The music is used to enhance the script and it also adds the commercial edge of the film. We get briefed by the director about his film, the script and on the situations that the songs relate in the film. We then lock ourselves up for a few days and get down writing and composing. Once the melodies are done, they are given to a lyricist who writes the words according to the melody! It's a fine line between composing something that could be commercially viable and correct for the script.

How did you start working with software and how does it integrate into your work?

Loy started using Cakewalk years ago when it just came out and when PCs were large ugly machines! So we've been using software for sequencing way back from 1992! We now work with a combination of Logic 7 and Pro Tools, both have become an integral part of our sound and composition process. We sequence everything first, including Indian rhythm instruments like the dholak, and then dub live instruments on top.

Lastly, do you currently have performance or film projects with your band outside India?

We've composed the music for a film called Marigold which was directed by Los Angeles based director Willard Carol. We've collaborated with composer David Newman and singer Sherry Watson (The Truth Hurts). Marigold is a Hollywood production with the story set in India and It should be released in February 2006 in the USA.

Thanks Ehsaan!