After the unveiling of Saptapadir Gaan, Rupam Islam opened up about his music, inspirations, artistic process, and more, in a conversation with t2. Excerpts
You’ve always balanced rock with soul in your music. How has your sound evolved over the years?
Thank you so much for mentioning that rock and soul are balanced in the music I have created. While I consider rock the background score of our generation — their love and their despair, their failures and their aspirations, the soul of my music, is essentially the spirit of Bengal. That is why I use the term ‘Bangla rock’. Bangla is not just the language I am writing the songs in, but also the socio-cultural root of my audience.
Any creator’s sound evolves over a period of time, and it is true for me as well. However, this is not something I should comment on. This is for my listeners to find out. I can only say that no evolution or change is deliberate; everything comes naturally.
What inspires your songwriting today? Has that changed since the early Fossils days?
My songs are autobiographical — they always have been. Even when I create music for a project or a film, the brief or the script must resonate with my life. Life has been the inspiration, and shall always remain that way.
How do you view the independent music scene in Bengal right now? Is it more empowering or more challenging?
I also belong to the independent music scene since I hardly create music for films. My music has never been backed by big producers, yet it has not failed to leave a lasting impression on the audience. So, I know for sure that the genre that I belong to is always challenging and I love being challenged.
Is there a new project — solo or with Fossils — that fans should be excited about?
A lot of new projects are in the pipeline. A film music direction project for the film Nevermind, where I have composed four songs, a full-length Fossils album, F7, as well as a whole lot of new playbacks.
What’s your process like when composing for cinema versus composing for your album/ the stage?
Honestly, there’s no difference.
You’ve always had a strong connect with Calcutta. How does the city shape your music or your mood?
Calcutta has never shaped my music or my mood. The essential Bengaliness that is beyond Calcutta or any single city is the essence of my music.
Any new or younger artistes you’ve been listening to lately — anyone who’s caught your ear?
I keep listening to a lot of young talents singing in Bangla, Hindi and English. I think there’s some truly great work being done in the indie music scene overall. Cannot really single out any specific name.
How do you stay creatively fuelled between live gigs, studio sessions, and personal time? Is there a ritual or routine that keeps you grounded?
I was born creative. I don’t rely on any rituals or specific routines to fuel my inspiration.