Jaimin - Strings, Stories, and Soul, a Songwriter’s Search for Truth in Music!
- Oghamyst
- Mar 29
- 4 min read
"I believe every art form chooses its hosts, not the other way around. It's like drawing melodies and their matching lyrics from the ether. They already exist somewhere in another realm".
1) Hello, welcome to the OG Music Blog Interview! First of all, tell us and our reader friends about yourself!
I am a Calcutta-based singer-songwriter, writing songs in the traditions of folk and rock, without shying away from baring my soul in my lyrics. I love strong melodies and am a self-taught guitar player.
2) What made you want to become a musician/artist? When did you start your musical journey?
I believe every art form chooses its hosts, not the other way around. It's like drawing melodies and their matching lyrics from the ether. They already exist somewhere in another realm. Watching the best singer-songwriters do it, made me want to do the same. It was simply a strong urge, a longing to write songs of that caliber.
3) Which instruments do you play in general, which one you love most and why?
I play the guitar, and sometimes the diatonic harmonica if a song calls for it, but I wish I could play the piano. I love the guitar, not just for the brilliant piece of engineering it is, with its frets, tuning, and the mix of linear and non-linear note placements across the neck, but also because it feels good to hold it and touch the strings. That said, I’m a terrible guitar player, and you can tell from my rhythm strumming. So, I try to get away with a lot of Travis picking instead.
4) What is it you are passionate about music in general?
I love a strong melody. That's all it takes for me to like a song. A strong melody inspires me to listen and if I conceive one, it compels to pursue it and turn it into a song.
5) Are there any musicians who inspire you?
Plenty. Some dead, some alive. John Prine, JJ Cale, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Neil Finn, Paul Brady, The Beatles, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, The Eagles, Freddie Mercury, Jackson C Frank, Mac Demarco, Mark Knopfler, to name some.
6) Briefly explain about your creative process for any project?
I don’t have a fixed approach or process. I don't sit down with the conscious intention of writing a song. If a melody lingers in my head or a guitar lick emerges accidentally while fidgeting with the guitar that hangs on my bedroom wall, I try to expand these ideas or precursors into songs, provided they're inspiring enough to pursue.
7) What kind of music you usually make or the mood/vibe you aim to create in general?
A vibe that demands you to listen, not just hear while the song plays in the background. I don’t write songs to entertain or make people groove or dance. In my songs, I’m being truthful, and each one is an attempt to convey that truthfulness to whoever’s listening. Not that I can, but even if I were knowledgeable enough to create complex, avant-garde, cerebral music that appealed only to me, it would be a great exhibition of skill but a failure in communication. I don’t aspire to make that kind of self-centered music.
8) Have you ever collaborated? If yes, then say something about it like with whom or your experience in collaborating with others?
My last couple of songs came from collaborations that brought in very different styles and sounds. 'Can't Get Away' with the American band The Bluegrass Journeymen, and 'Techno Girl', a synth-pop track in collaboration with producer National Animal. Some collaborations have been draining, while others have been effortless and fulfilling. Even with friends, the process can sometimes be rough. That said, everyone who contributed did so because they believed in my work, and I appreciate that. In the end, I consider myself lucky to have had some fantastic musicians on my songs, including Arka Chakraborty (pianist), Kadambari Zokarkar (singer), Patrick Fitzsimons (mandolinist), Charles Parker Mertens (bassist), Pradyumna Manot / Paddy (pianist), Arjun Chakraborty (drummer), Subharaj Ghosh (guitarist), Anchit Sengupta (guitarist), and Aniruddha Saha (drummer).
9) Which qualities do you think a great musician should possess?
To never let ego get in the way while playing. Be subservient to the song and give only what it asks for.
10) Any weaknesses you think you have or if you have any awkward moments/memories as a musician/artist?
I suffer from intense stage fright and dread performing live. So every time I've been on stage, it's awkward, and I’d rather not be reminded of it.
11) Any particular venue you'll be performing at or release that you might be having in the coming months? A few words on it please.
I won’t be releasing anything in the near future. Most probably later this year.
12) One last question. What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you or you might give to others like our musician friends reading this? Thanks.
Don McLean told me over a call: don’t write a song if you have nothing to say. I’m not quoting him verbatim, but it was something along those lines.
We at OG Music congratulate Jaimin and wish him all the best for all his future musical endeavours. Check out his music below ~
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jaiminrajani
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