MUMBAI: Singer-songwriter Vernon D'Souza dropped an Indie song “TEA” featuring Souvik Adak under indie Music Label Throan Of Art Music.

During an exclusive interview with Radioandmusic, Vernon D'Souza said, “Why ‘TEA’? Well, the answer is simple; I’m a CHAI person and what better way to catch up with a friend after ages than over a nice cuppa!”.

Check the interview below:

As a singer-songwriter, what inspires you to write your songs?

I am a person who observes a lot of things around me, and I take it all in. Writing songs as well as poetry is cathartic to me. It is my way of expressing my feelings toward somebody or a certain event or the world in general. It is also not necessary that all the songs I write are about the way I feel. I shift my emotional center sometimes and imagine myself in a certain situation and write a song about it. It’s all a very fun and creative process, one that I enjoy doing.

Do share with our readers about your single ‘TEA’ and the story behind this love song and what inspired the song’s name. How did your collaboration with Throan Of Art Music come to fruition?

The song ‘Tea’ was written by me in my hostel room in Bandra one evening. I had initially written it as a jingle, but I believed that the song had potential to be released as an official single of mine. Why “TEA”? Well, the answer is simple; I’m a CHAI person and what better way to catch up with a friend after ages than over a nice cuppa! The song echoes positivity throughout.; Many a times we hold back our feelings and do not do the stuff we actually enjoy and that makes us live a life of regret and this song is about breaking barriers and not holding back and just doing the things you love with your people, reconnecting with friends you lost on the way for whatever reason. It is a song about new beginnings and just letting go and I hope people imply the message of this song in their lives. I held on to the song for a year because I wanted this song to do well; to be heard and when I came across TOA Music and the wonderful work they do for us indie artists, I knew that my song would be in safe hands and so I pitched to Thomson Andrews who was very encouraging, supportive, and helpful in agreeing to send this song out into the world.

The music for ‘TEA’ is done by Souvik Adak. How was the experience working on this song with him?

Souvik Adak is one of my closest friends and we come from the same town of Asansol, India. He is insanely talented in music and understands all my musical ideas and converts them into finished pieces. The song was written, and I sent it over to Souvik who immediately began working on the song. We sat over countless video calls to lay down the track and it was finally done. The vocals for Tea were recorded in his bedroom and Adak undertook the task of mixing and mastering. While working on the music for Tea, Souvik and I had immersed ourselves in Celtic music and we implied subtle Celtic elements to our track. Working with Souvik was an amazing experience and I got to learn a lot from him.

Tell us about your musical journey. How is it being mentored by an ace vocalist & industry veteran Thomson Andrews and now to be showcased as a talent on his Indie Record Label ‘Throan Of Art Music’?

I have been singing ever since I can remember and all my influences are results of what I used to listen to while growing up and I thank my dad Nigel D’Souza for introducing me to classics such as Elvis Presley, Deep Purple, Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink and other greats. My musical journey professionally began in Mumbai. I come from a small town called Asansol and when I first arrived in Mumbai, I made the affirmation that I would strive my way to the top. It wasn’t an easy journey but then I started getting gigs and jingle work and in 2019, I made my debut in playback singing for the show The Verdict- State Vs Nanavaty, singing the credit song. Eventually I met Thomson Andrews at a recording, and he inspired me to do great things and we worked together on live performances for Mithoon and the Meet Bros. Thomson has always given me the best advice about my music and the way things work and to be showcased on his channel is a huge blessing for me. I look up to him as a person, a performer, and a vocalist. He is a full package and what is more important is that he has vision.    

You also collaborated with AmyKita from France for the music video of the song. Tell us about how this comes into the picture for you.

AmyKita is a very dear friend of mine and at the time, I was looking for ideas about the music video for Tea and so I got in touch with Amy who is excellent at creative ideas. She was very kind to offer some footage that would fit perfectly as the music video for Tea. Amy radiates positivity and it makes the music video for Tea a joy to watch. Apart from that, I compiled a few free for commercial use videos from a site called Pexels and added it to the music video.

What would be your dream collab with an Indian Musician?

My dream collab with an Indian Musician would be Mithoon Sharma

What's in the near future for your Fans?

I am always writing new music and experimenting with different writing styles, vocal textures, and genres. I have a lot in store and my God’s grace, they will all come through soon.  

As an Indie artist, share your thoughts on the importance of having an Indie support system/company like ‘Throan Of Art' to guide and execute music marketing and branding goals of Indie Artists globally.

Indie artists in general get drowned by the huge commercial scene. An indie artist will put his heart and soul into his craft, but many times cannot afford to market his work and get heard. With TOA, we know that our craft will be heard and marketed in the best possible way, and I am so grateful for this platform.

Any other points Vernon D’Souza would like to share about his life.

I almost gave up on my dreams because of a rough patch in my life, but I have decided to make a mark for myself in the industry and I will never stop. To all reading this, I want you to never give up on your dreams.