Friday, Nov 30, 2007
Dubai: Disgusted that Indian record companies are "ripping off" artists, Remo Fernandes, one of India's leading rock musicians, is to put part of his new album on his website for free downloads.
He said he was yet to receive a royalty statement from a recording company after his recent release, adding the free download will do away with the "fat cats who are getting fatter".
The musician - recently accorded one of the highest Indian awards, the Padmashree - refused a state award from his home state Goa, citing "blatant corruption and communalism" and "failure to provide basic needs such as good quality healthcare and education".
The rock musician said he was one of the first artists in the country to push social messages through his music. "I had the guts to speak about the dangers of Aids before it became fashionable," he said.
The rock musician who has had hits such as Politicians don't know how to Rock and Roll and Pack that Smack, said his new album, Face the Music goes back to the Latino style, prevalent in his home state Goa, a Portuguese colony.
Fernandes and Sunil Pereira, lead of the Sri Lankan band, The Gypsies, perform today at Dubai Wonderland. Gates open at 6.30pm.
Pereira and his band play the "baila" and ridicule politicians with their humorous lyrics. "We don't have to depend on government channels anymore," he said, noting the burgeoning of private channels which air their music.
Fernandes, who has had big hits in Indian movies as O Meri Munni and Pyar Hona Hi Tha, said it was sad Bollywood was so all-pervasive. "A country that is so full of culture has nothing to offer today except Bollywood," he said, speaking of the generally escapist, B-grade movies from Mumbai. "Where are our scientists, writers and real heroes," he said.
"Our music [today] will celebrate life, the good times", he said.
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
