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3Mix

June 2009 | Pop

3Mix are on a mission to bring Indian culture into the mainstream. Uniting pop influences such as Michael Jackson, The Temptations and Motown with tradition Indian music, they are set to make it big in the second half of 2009. Their debut single, "Put It On Me" is out now (you can hear it on we7 now) and is an exciting and diverse first effort. we7 met with 2/3rds of 3Mix - Karim and Usman - to talk about the 3Mix project and their hopes and aspirations for their musical career.

The interview

Can you tell me how you guys got together?

Karim: Myan and I met about five years ago and we realised we had similar influences, similar musical tastes. Generally we got along very well. We met with a mutual friend who was a producer. I think we discovered there was a really strong vibe between us. We made a demo together and from that 3Mix was born. It was a very natural organic thing. As soon as we met it felt right.
Usman: How I got involved, I was running a theatre group at school. We put on cabaret and all sorts - sing dance, whatever, act and we would put these shows together. Myan suggested that we get together as a band and see how it goes. We got together and like Karim says, we got together and it was just great.

Was there a style of music you bonded over?

Usman: We are very diverse with our tastes. We appreciate all genres of music. From classical to rock to indie... there is no one person we aspire to be like. We definitely have influences from The Temptations, Michael Jackson to mainstream Indian artists. Having that knowledge, we are able to bring that into a nice fusion which is 3Mix.
Karim: There is a strong musical foundation, but we have that friendship, that bond, that brotherhood. We've had some ups and downs, but we are more solid for it.

How were you signed?

Usman: Our manager was in the background, watching us at one of the shows I put on. He gave us some tips and mentored us for about 12 months - giving us advice. He brushed up our act, got us to sing a few songs, got us to write more.

Did you have input creatively?

Usman: Yeah, it was definitely. Nothing ridiculous was pushed on us. We were happy to play ball. Obviously, it works best for both our interests. We all want to get somewhere as a group.
Karim: We've seen a lot of progress since we hooked up with our management - so the proof is in the pudding.

What do you think to guys like Jay Sean and Rhagav? Have they made it easier for you to break through as 3Mix?

Usman: I hope so.
Karim: They have paved the way, opened up a lot of opportunities for bands like us, to break boundaries. Makes it easier for us. Acts like Jay Sean and Ragav show there is a potential fan base out there. The single, "Put It On Me" is pop, but has elements of the Indian sound - there is a cross over.

Do you have an album in works as well?

Karim: Yeah, but we are perfectionists. We definitely want to be happy with the finished product. We're happy with the direction it's going in; it's just a matter of time.

Do you enjoy playing live? You've played to thousands at Melas up and down the country.

Usman: There is no other feeling in the world, than being on stage. It's an electrifying feeling.
Karim: A Mela is like a festival, a community festival. It's really nice to get a feel for what our culture is like - you can get henna tattoos, Indian food. It's great to be a part of that, it's our culture. It's really helped our fan base grow throughout the UK. Any artist who is trying to break the mainstream its important to have that level of support.

Do you want to be like Take That in 10 years time, still performing to millions?

Usman: I would love to be in that position. They are in that position due to a lot of success they have had over the years: The amazing songs that they have written the performances. They don't just sing, they put on a whole show, a whole performance. They are an amazing "man band". I would love to be like that.
Karim: We want make the hits: making good music for us is important. We want to be always moving forward, making good music. This is our own musical direction and it's liberating to be able to submit our own material. A lot of what you will hear on the album is us, as opposed to songs written by others.

If there was one artist you could collaborate with, who would it be -past or present?

Usman: I like this question.
Karim: Brian McKnight. I saw him perform at the 02. He still has it. I love the soul.
Usman: For me it has to be Michael Jackson, I can't say anyone else. Who wouldn't want to work with him?