By Janaki Challa
Goldspot’s music sounds like Death Cab For Cutie-meets-Grizzly Bear-meets-Bollywood For Dummies, and though I hate the word “fusion” with untamed fury, Goldspot succeeds at it. There are some songs that are overtly influenced by Bollywood instrumentals (the intro to “Friday” or the entire rendition of “Ina Mina Dika”), some verses Sid Khosla wails in a haunting, ghazal-like manner, lyrics resonant of both nostalgic Americana with 1960’s Hindi lamentations. If we were into synesthesia I would describe this music as severe entropy: sentiments of tamed chaos, somber adrenaline, a bummed-out-bluesy ballad here and there. I’m not going to risk the eye-roll-inducing “there is a certain... spice” metaphor--so I’ll go with lobster. Goldspot’s music is like lobster in a beach-side shack. Delicate, yet decadent, yet casual.
You’ve probably heard their catchy songs on the new Apple iPad commercial, The O.C., or How I Met Your Mother. Perhaps you’ve caught them on MTV, VH1, or at a concert opening for Bjork, The Arcade Fire, Bon Jovi, or something. No big deal.
Siddhartha Khosla, lead singer of Goldspot, is a native New Jersey-er who spent time growing up in--and being influenced by--India and its pop culture. He’s also one of the few indie artists of South Asian descent who makes it seem really cool to sound like Kishore Kumar.
NPR says in an article called "When Cultures Collide" :
With its distinct blend of pop, rock and Bollywood sounds, Goldspot has made its way through the music industry with an inventive sound and an independent vision [...] Named for singer Siddhartha Khosla's favorite Indian soda — he was born in the U.S. but spent his childhood in India — Goldspot finds ways to fuse the music of both countries.
"I wanted to bring out ... Indian culture in some way," Khosla says. "It's an important part of who I am — a big influence."
We at Brown Town wanted Sid to speak with us on some pressing concerns. Of utmost importance, of course, is the matter of the perfect guacamole.
Interview With Siddhartha Khosla
Do you go by Sid or Siddhartha? Any interesting “Namesake-esque “ biographical, coming –of-age –type- reconciliation with your identity? Or was it always a non-issue?
Because they didn’t know any better, kids in first grade could be cruel. I was the only brown kid in my elementary school, and took a lot of slack for silly things -- like, for example, my mom picking me up from school in her sari. And because I didn’t know any better, I became embarrassed and tried to disguise my “Indian-ness” as much as possible. So, Siddhartha became Sid. But as I got older, I cared less about what other kids thought, and took more pride in my Indian ancestry. So, whether you call me Sid, Sidd, Siddhu, Siddhartha, it really doesn’t matter.
Your lyrical content seems informed by some pretty great inspiration.
Personal experiences tend to inform my songwriting more than anything else; it’s probably what keeps the songs honest.
Your song “Friday” is out in a few different versions (different intros, one in Hindi, etc.). Which one do you like the best, and what was the idea behind this?
My original intention was for the song to be a little English language feel-good pop song. And when we first recorded it, we were on a shoe-string budget. I originally envisioned sweeping S.D. Burman-esque string sections. At the time it wold have cost more to have a live orchestra on “Friday,” than it would have to record and mix the whole album! So, I made homemade string sounds, which had their own charm. Eventually we signed a deal with Universal Records (record deal = a budget to do things), and our wish list soon became a reality. The label appreciated my vision, and sent me and our producer Jeff Peters to work in A.R. Rahman’s studio in Chennai. There we recorded with the Chennai orchestra, and that’s what you hear on Friday.
My label executive also suggested trying a Hindi version of the song. He thought Indian audiences would appreciate it, and they did. It made perfect sense, too-- the melody is very Indian. I’m glad we did it.
Art for Art’s sake? Discuss.
What kind of sake? Filtered? I prefer a dry sake with sushi.
What is your favorite compliment?
Favorite compliment :
“You're like modern day Kishore Kumar.”
[postscript: yo Sid, does Brown Town get brownie points for comparing you to Kishore Kumar in the intro?]
Your band has opened for artists like Bjork, Bon Jovi, The Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie, Franz Ferdinand, and more—are you nervous or star-struck in these situations? Most awkward moment? Most glorious?
Actually we played at the Glastonbury Music Festival in the UK and Bjork & The Arcade Fire headlined, so we didn’t technically open for them. But yeah, to be on a bill with them was an honor. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my friends.
Most awkward moment:
We opened up for Bon Jovi at the O2 Arena in London. My cousin Raman and his wife Gunjan came to the show. After we performed, Raman and I drank a lot, and Raman then insisted on going backstage to meet Jon Bon Jovi. We went backstage and Jon Bon Jovi came up to me and said: “Hey man, thanks for opening up for us..” My cousin then introduced himself: “Hi. I’m Raman. Thank you for playing my brother’s show.” Jon Bon Jovi then walked away.
South Asian American Diaspora.
We need for Nicki Haley and Bobby Jindal to take very early retirement.
We need an Indian cooking show on the Food Network.
What is one question you’ve never been asked in interviews before?
How do you make your guacamole?
Answer aforementioned question.
2 avocados. 1 whole lime. Kosher salt. Cilantro. White onion.
Never use tomatoes. Never blend.
Use just a fork, and do not over-mix.
It’s important to leave it chunky.
[two days later: Can you add 1/2 a jalapeno to my guacamole recipe please?]
