Kailash Kher: Indian Bands Face Only Difficulties

Kailash Kher performed with his band, Kailasa, at the recent Rock On For Humanity gig. His band shared the stage with several top Indian acts including Avial, The Raghu Dixit Project and Pentagram.

In an interview with PlanetRadioCity, Kher said

If you look at Indian bands â?? there are very few in any case â?? almost all the members have other sources of income, like someone would be a part of A&R in a music company. The truth is that for a band, itâ??s very difficult to earn money; they can perform wherever they want, but earning money it not that easy. In case of Kailasa, I would say itâ??s our luck that has helped us attain popularity in albums and playback singing.

Admittedly, his view of the scene is pretty grim. When asked about the difficulties that Indian artists face he said

If someone wants to form a band, they don’t have to face some difficulties; rather, they have to face only difficulties. Yahaan band bajta hai, band banana toh baad ki baat hai! You have to have deep pockets. My suggestion for aspiring pop artistes is that dream about it, but please don’t aspire to be a band singer exclusively. You have to be financially strong enough to support your singing.

That’s a pretty unromantic vision for music. Where would Dire Straits be if the straits weren’t dire? Conversely, where would Pentagram be without Vishal-Shekhar? Do you believe that financial necessities govern musical opportunities? Before you say “Yes”, read this review of It’s OK, It’s All Good.