He walks onto the stage with his face covered with white and black paint and almost instantly, intrigue builds inside you. His dusky voice carries a sense of allure and draws you into the world of mysticism. Talwiinder, a known name in the Punjabi music scene, has made a mark for himself with his lo-fi production techniques and signature bedroom songs.
Known to experiment now and then with artistes from distinct musical sensibilities, Talwiinder earlier this year took things to the next level by collaborating with Tech Panda & Kenzani, the duo behind popular tracks like Dilbar, Sauda and Doya.
The Talwiinder X Tech Panda & Kenzani offering, a love ballad titled Heer, from a three-part EP, explores futuristic themes against an old folk song. We spoke to the trio who came together for the first time about the collaboration and how they bridged the sonic gap between their distinctive sounds. Additionally, Tech Panda x Kenzani opened up about their new track, Kamli and what more their listeners can look forward to this year.
Excerpts:
Tell us about the collaboration. How did it all come together?
Tech Panda: It was 2020 when we discovered each other’s music and we exchanged messages about admiring each other’s work. Fast forward a few years later, everything fell into place when we met Talwiinder for the first time.
Talwiinder: I met Tech Panda and Kenzani for the first time and we made multiple tracks in one sitting, the way this duo works is very inspiring and I look forward to more music with them and performing these songs together and setting the stage on fire.
Give us a little insight into the EP that's in the works. What is the story that you wish to tell with it?
Tech Panda: This EP happened without any planning. What is really interesting is that Talwiinder sang all three songs of the EP on the same day. It is amazing to see the variation of emotions that he can write and sing about in a couple of hours.
Kenzani: He is one artist who can easily relive a moment, feel it and express himself as he chooses to. And that is what happened with the first track Heer. The second track of the EP eases out a bit more on intensity and focuses more on expressing love on a lighter note. The third track of the EP is a genre Talwiinder has not tried before. It is a total surprise for all the listeners and we won’t say more!
Blending folk with techno, what musical elements do you trust for the best output in this scenario?
Kenzani: We do not have a genre or blend that we absolutely stick to for the best output. We adapt and create what the track demands from us. If folk elements fit inside the track, we are more than happy to add them but there have been times when the track requires space or other electronic elements.
How have the folk musical elements of Punjab inspired this song?
Tech Panda: We are very deeply connected to the vintage sounds of Punjab. For us, even today they give us pure goosebumps. If you hear Heer on repeat, you will hear a lot of ethnic sounds and vocals that are relatable to the 90s era of underground Asian music.
Kenzani: A lot of listeners today are looking for that old, traditional sound of Punjab which seems to be lost in the songs today. Hopefully, Heer has captivated the aura becoming a timeless song.
How did the idea of Kamli come about? What sound/experience were you chasing with this track?
Kenzani: The song came to life while we were on the way to our show in Ahmedabad. Literally just making a random tune on his laptop, Tech Panda ended up finishing a 15-minute track which we all heard while we were relaxing before our show. We wanted to add our signature ethnic sound deeply rooted in India on the layer of the most hypnotising electronica. When the song was finished, we found it unpredictable even to us. That's when we knew this song was something totally unique.
What upcoming projects can we look forward to?
Tech Panda: We always wanted to open our chest of unfinished tracks. A lot of listeners have missed our original ‘Tech Panda and Kenzani' sound - earthy, wholesome, nostalgic and soulful. You can look forward to a lot of surprises in the next few weeks!
Kamli and Heer are now streaming on all major audio platforms.