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Interview with Ehsaan

DW : How and when did “Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy”
come into being?
Ehsaan: We came together in 1997 to compose the music of Mukul Anands film Dus. We knew each other well before that as we worked together in the studio circuit.

DW : All three of you draw influences from different styles of music. One being an India Classical musician, one a Jazz musician and you’re a blues guitarist. Do you consider this diversity to be an advantage?

Ehsaan: Its definitely a big advantage as we can bring many influences to our music and therefore maintain a certain freshness to our composition.
DW : What are the compromises regarding individual styles you have to make, if any?

Ehsaan: Well the song is paramount and melody is the first thing . We cannot always apply our individual styles to the songs as songs are composed for films and the script dictates what kind of song one composes or what treatment one gives it.

DW : What styles of music and which musicians did you enjoy while growing up, and whom do you draw influence from? Do you immerse yourself in a lot of ‘music listening’ even today?

Ehsaan: I grew up listening to a lot of stuff that my dad listened to whcih included albums like ' My Fair Lady " " Paul Mauriat's Greatest Hits " and a lot of other jazz and latin music.

Later on I listened to a lot of stuff which my elder sister used to buy like Boney M and Abba and The Beatles and some early Santana.

Then I heard Deep Purple and the shift to rock music happened then of course one got into Pink floyd and Led Zeppelin, The Doobie Brothers .

In the 80 's I was very into 80's metal and rock like REO Speedwagon , Judas Priest, Blue Oyster Cult, Toto, Wishbone Ash, UFO, Van Halen and was passionately in love with the blues listening to artists like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Savoy Brown, Ten Years After, BB King, Albert King, Freddy King the whole lot !!!

I was also into some jazz rock fuson artists like Al Di Meola, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton and Jeff Beck essentially all the guitarists . When I went to GIT in Los Angeles in 1985 I heard the guitarist Robben Ford who so strongly impressed me that I made shift to playing the blues and funky blues based music.

I have been into all kinds of stuff later in the 80's listening to Tears For Fears, Level 42, Peter Gabriel etc to listening to Techno and Ambient in the 90's. Currently I am into everything and each morning it's confusing deciding what CD I want to listen to in the car !!!! All this music has influenced me !!!!

DW : How would you reckon making music for a film like “Mission Kashmir” differs from, say, “Dil Chahta Hai”? Because they’re both very different kinds of films, dealing with different issues, as a result the moods that have to be created are also dissimilar.

Ehsaan: Well, one has to immerse oneself totally into the script of the film and create music afresh for that film. Only then does each film have a distinct sound as did Mission Kashmir and Dil Chatha HAi.

DW : It is said and felt that your music is a refreshing change from most other Bollywood scores, and that most Bollywood music is predictable. Has it been a conscious effort on your part to be different from the rest that has led your widespread success?

Ehsaan: Whatever we do will always be different because of the inlfuences we bring to our music . It is not a conscious effort but yes we do stay away from Bollywood cliches.

DW : How much creative freedom are you granted by the director of a film? Do you find that success has brought you more creative freedom?

Ehsaan: Creating music for a film is a joint effort between us , the lyric writer and the director. The director is the captain of the ship and he pretty much knows what is good for his film . Different music appeals to different directors.

DW : Which director/s do you most enjoy working with?

Ehsaan: We have enjoyed working with all outr directors but working with Farhan Akhtar , Karan Johar , Nikhil Advani , Shaad Ali and Vinod Chopra has been special.

DW :Once you read a script, can you visualize the mood of the score you think would be ideal or would you prefer ?

Ehsaan: watching the visual Songs are composed before the film is even shot but we watch the film before we compose the background score.

DW : From your catalogue of Film Scores, which is your favourite? Or which of your works are you the happiest with?

Ehsaan: We love all our work but Dil Chahta Hai , Kal Ho Na Ho, Lakshya and Armaan are favorites.

DW : When composing for films, is the usual practice that of you being given the lyrics first, and then you compose the music or vice versa?

Ehsaan: Mostly we compose the melody first but it work vice versa too.

DW : Is “Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy” very picky when it comes to film offers? What would you base your decision to sign a film on?

Ehsaan: The script has to appeal to us and we must make sure that we vibe with the director and that the producer is stable.



Hi Ehsaan,
Thanks a lot for taking time out to do this interview with drummingworld.com.
We greatly appreciate it.
Aditya Nain
Randhir Dange


DW : Apart from films, what kinds of projects do you get involved in? Do you have any side projects lined up right now (solo or collaborations) ?

Ehsaan: We do a lot of commercials, corporate work etc Loy and I are also part of Instan Karma and we are are forming our old funk jazz band.

DW : There is a lot of ‘electronica’ happening these days. Are you comfortable with incorporating ‘electronica’ in any music that you make (including non-film music)?

Ehsaan: Absolutely we use a lot of electronica in our sound but usually a good blend of electronics and acoustic instruments works best !!!

DW : You studied music in the US. Which institute did you attend and what course did you take up?

Ehsaan: GIT At the Musicians Istitute - Hollywood California.

DW : How did that experience help prepare you for your career as a musician? While you were there, did you have the good fortune of meeting or even being tutored by any of your musical heroes?!

Ehsaan: The experience was memorable and was the best year that I ever spent . One was with musicians 24 hours a day !!!! It greatly enhanced my playing and my musicianship. I joined GIt as a guitairst but came out a ' musician " in a holistic way. I saw all my heroes Stevie Ray Vaughn , Larrry Carlton, Carlos Santana, Lee Ritenour, JohnMc Laughlin, Scott Henderson, Robben Ford and god knows how many others !!!! Scott Henderson was around in school all the time the others were visiting faculty . I got to meet and talk to Robben Ford a lot !!!!

DW : Would you say you’re a natural at the guitar?! Do you sing as well?

Ehsaan: I dont sing too well. Well I learned the guitar I dont know if I am a natural but I do know that my soul is in the right place !!!!!

DW : For all the guitarists reading this interview, which guitar/s do you use and what makes up your effects rig?

Ehsaan: I have a bunch of guitars a few Fender Stratocasters, a Paul Reed Smith, a Parker Fly, a couple of Godin Acoustics. My favorites are a Fender Custom Shop 1954 Stratocaster, My Paul Reed Smith and my Godin nylon string.

I used to use some rack stuff earlier but now I only use pedals i use an Ibanez tube screamer TS9, a Boss Turbo Overdrive, A TC Electronic Chorus, A Boss Digital Delay mainly .

I also have a bunch of other pedals that i pull out when needed like the BD2 blues driver and a Morley Bad Horsie WAh Wah. I also use a Boss GT6 when needed. In thestudio I plug into a Line 6 Pod. I use a Mesa Boogie Amp and a Line 6 VEtta.

DW : What do you have to say about the music scene in India today with all the remixes happening? How would you react to one of your songs being remixed? Would your reaction depend on whom it is that has done it?

Ehsaan: Well, remixes are a valid music today. I havent heard too many of our songs remixed but one has to realise that remixes in a way do push your song forward.

DW : Do you think that there is scope for young musicians trying to make their mark as ‘musicians’ today?

Ehsaan: There is scope but the pressures are different there is a lot of technology involved and there is more competition , but I guess it takes some luck to make it in the music business.

DW : Who would you say is the most inspirational person in your life? It could even be someone you don’t know.

Ehsaan: Miles Davis and Robben Ford !!!

DW : What would your dream film project be?

Ehsaan: A film like Schindlers List or Bladerunner.

DW : What would your dream jam be like?!

Ehsaan: Robben Ford, Omar Hakim, Sting, Jon Lord they would be great to jam with !!!

DW : For how much longer do you see yourself being a film composer? Is it something you can imagine yourself doing for a long time to come?

Ehsaan: As long as I am working it doesnt matter what musical process I am involved with I would like to go with this right to the end.

DW : Do you see or dream of “Shankar, Ehasaan and Loy” of Bollywood going to Hollywood one day?

Ehsaan: We are working on a Hollywood project called " Marigold " as of now.