*EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW* UrbanAsian catches up with Vocalist Shweta Subram!

She’s been awarded as the “Best Singer In North America” by Sangam Kala Group. She’s worked and performed with one of the best musicians in India, Salim-Sulaiman and performed in front of thousands and thousands of people at IIFA Rocks last year in Toronto. We’re speaking about none other than one of Canada’s finest vocalists, Shweta Subram! She spoke to us about her biggest inspirations, becoming a microbiologist, and how she wants to work with Canadian artist Drake. With such a unique and powerful voice, she’s ready to take on the desiFEST stage with a live band this year!

Check out the full interview below!

If you were to describe your music in one word, what would it be & why?

I would describe it as ‘fusion’ music. When I create my songs, I infuse a little bit of everything. I am trained in Indian classical music, have been listening to R&B and Bollywood music growing up. Also, I write my songs in Hindi and they are all based on my life’s experiences.

If you weren’t a singer, what profession would have gone into?

I could have become a microbiologist as I enjoyed and excelled in Biology. My parents were thrilled to know that I was academic and ambitious at such a young age. But, as soon as I turned 16, my passion for singing took over. I won my first Inter-U.A.E singing competition and brought the trophy for my school. There’s been no looking back since then. There is no other profession I can go into. Singer it is!

What’s your biggest inspiration; what or who do you look up to?

My biggest inspiration in my family was my grandmother. She was a beautiful singer and was even offered playback singing. Unfortunately, she belonged to a very strict family that did not encourage her to enter the world of showbiz and singing always remained an unfulfilled dream for her. As a child, I always listened to her sing and tried to learn a thing or 2 from her. In Bollywood, I feel blessed about being exposed to a legendary singer like Lata Mangeshkar ji. There’s so much one can learn just from listening to her songs.

Have you been musically trained?

Yes I am musically trained and continue learning with my guruji in India. During my childhood in Dubai, I started learning Carnatic music under the guidance of Mrs. Bhagwati Sankaran. Then, I had a gap in my training for a couple of years as I made a shift to Canada. In 2003, I was fortunate enough to win a North American talent hunt organized by Sangam Kala Group which won me a trip to India. My interest in Hindustani music developed and I started training under the guidance of Mr. Borgoankar.

Who would you like to collaborate with in Bollywood?

Mr. A.R Rehman. It would be a privilege to work with him. Despite achieving tremendous success, he is unbelievably humble. I would like to understand how he keeps calm, despite all the fame and adulation.

You’ve performed at desiFEST before a few years ago, and now you’ve been invited back to take over the stage. What will fans get to hear from you? How excited are you to be performing at Canada’s largest South Asian event again?

I am really excited to be a part of desiFEST this year. This year my fans are going to witness ‘ The Shweta Experience’. My previous performances at DesiFest have been on Karaoke tracks. For the first time, I’m performing with a band at Desifest. We are going to be infusing a rock element into the Bollywood songs I’m performing. I’m also looking forward to performing my first single ‘Jee Le Live Life’ with the band.

If you could choose any Canadian artist to work with, who would it be, and why?

Drake. He is an entertainer. He hasn’t worked with Indian music yet. I think he’ll able to add amazing elements of R&B and Hip-Hop to a track with Indian classical sounds. It will be quiet the mix with our vocals on one track!

What are you working on right now? Can fans expect an album from you soon and are there any exciting features on there?

I am working with Josh. There’s some exciting tracks coming out with them. Fans will hear versatility in these tracks. We have worked on slow-paced and fast-paced numbers.

Thank you for taking time out to do this interview. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans and our UrbanAsian.com readers?

I would like to thank all my fans and UrbanAsian.com readers for their unconditional love and support. I am living my dream and it is only because of the continued support of my family, friends and fans. I look forward to entertaining people with my music and promise them that there’s lot more exciting stuff coming their way. For now, come out to desiFEST on May 26th and watch me perform at 8:00 PM.