Ritviz Bares It All On How To Start Off A Career In The Independent Music Scene

Published on:

08 Jun 2021, 12:27 pm

7 min read

Ritviz has garnered a massive fan following for his edgy music over the past few years. He represents the youth of today’s India and is a recognized independent musician. He rose to fame with the release of his song “Udd Gaye” in 2017, which is still a major part of most party playlists. Whether it is his personal style or his music composing style, he inspires a generation of self made musicians. We recently had a live stream chat with him and his manager Rahul, where they spoke about the various trends in the music industry and mainly on how to start a career as a musician.

Opening Track - Thandi Hawa

Ritviz: Just to kick start the conversation, one of the major problems in our country is original content. I’m seeing this trend of imitation in the industry. Originality is lost and we need to focus on it. As it is, we’ve spent too much time imitating other composers’ music styles.

Rahul: Thandi Hawa just released and we’re seeing the response it is getting. It’s so hard to find originality and new music. The audience loves original songs.

Ritviz: Why are there so many producers and musicians that imitate old songs? The mentality that copied music works, is the biggest problem. They look at music in terms of what sells and what doesn’t.

For instance, I didn’t know whether Thandi Hawa would be appreciated. When I started making the song I didn’t know if people would like this new route we’ve taken. It’s important to be yourself. We’re not doing this for the numbers alone. We have real intuition about our music and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.

Rahul: I want to add something to what you’ve said. In the past 7-8 years, there was a lot of stress on how we, as managers, had to build a PR story about artists by talking about how they’re unique in their genre. But when it comes to Ritviz, he’s got no genre. There is no box to put you into. Just to point out that fact, we just put a drum & bass video out. And people love it, they love good music. I don’t think, as an audience too many people are biased towards one type of music. I think music transcends genres. If I hear something good, I’ll still like it. If musicians focus on writing music they like, the process of finding their uniqueness will be easier.

Ritviz: Also to add to your point, I think the most basic point, step one should be that I’m doing something exciting. I’m not going to be driven to work on something repetitive. Knowing how lazy I am, it should first blow my mind before I put it out there. Focus on something new. I’ve always been writing melodies and lyrics in a way that it excited me.

Don’t just focus on skill. Maestros are sitting in the industry who are 1000 times better than I am. It doesn’t matter if you’re following traditions or not. I come from a classical background. My guruji spent 20 years polishing his skills which is so much work. But ultimately, it had such little creative aspect.

Q. What it was like to find your uniqueness? Did you chance upon your sound? Was it a conscious effort? Is it a simple process?

Ritviz: It could be someone else telling that person that they’re doing something cool. I love my music but I constantly doubt myself. We also require mirrors to tell us that we’re doing something worthwhile.

Rahul: When we first heard your music, we liked it.

Q. What constitutes composing?

Ritviz: I started composing when I was in the fifth grade while practising Indian Classical Music at my Guruji’s place. I knew even back then that there is a very little creative expression in that. I was singing those notes and perfecting my voice, but all I really wanted was to add a new melody.

There was a lot of energy inside me that wanted to come out. After that, I started listening to pop music. I learnt different chords and started downloading beats online because I loved hip hop. When I started writing the melody, it was like a game for me. The entire process is enriching spiritually. The composition is the heart of your track. All the other elements of song creation surround composition.

Q. Can you tell us how you composed Udd Gaye?

Ritviz: You just take your vocal section, add the drop section with the instruments, and the rest is nothing but a little world around ‘Hum Toh Udd Gaye’.

Rahul: Can you tell us about the white hair and your style? I don’t think it’s a brand-building exercise to suit your audience, right?

Ritviz: It’s who I am. I don’t do this for the brand. It’s a matter of self-expression.

Q. How did you master Thandi Hawa?

Ritviz: The laptop is my studio. Here’s a fun fact, I don’t even use my KRK monitors. Last night, Rahul asked me if I’ve heard this song on anything other than my laptop? And then we heard the song on it and we were good to go. So you don’t need a studio to get started.

Rahul: Back then, everyone wasn’t technically equipped with a recording and mixing set up which is why they needed studios. But nowadays everyone has a laptop ... except for Dorwin.

Ritviz: (starts laughing)

Rahul: It’s easy to download all the software and work on them. Ritviz goes to the studio when he is in the zone to listen and isn’t working on anything.

[This question was for Rahul.]

Q. Do you have a show director that uplifts live performances? Do you work on timing songs and pyro using software or is it on the spot?

Rahul: We don’t get all the SFX wherever we go. Whenever we do, it’s more of human operators. Most operators don’t know our music and press the button whenever there is a drop. So, usually, I take over. In due course of time, we will have someone working exclusively on SFX.

Q. Is there scope for music after 12th standard?

Ritviz: There is scope for music throughout. You can be making music at the age of 10 and have a hit. We don’t need labels when we have YouTube and SoundCloud. There’s no set path for musicians as it is extremely risky and you have to be crazy enough to choose this career.

You also need the right people. Just having the right people at home to motivate you to keep working makes all the difference.

Rahul: If you’ve decided to do music, you either go Bollywood or you go independent. Decide which one you want to do. Bollywood is a money-making machine while Indie allows you to define your music. Indie doesn’t dictate any rules.

Q. Can you comment on this: “Due to a lack of audience reach, people are reluctant to release their music”?

Ritviz: I didn’t even have a page when I started. I started with zero followers. There is a lack of reach but not the lack of an audience. No one started with a million subscribers.

If you haven’t released your music, what do you want managers and industry professionals to judge you on? Purely based on the fact that it’s out there, no one can ignore. Nobody can stop you from releasing your song. Your song will probably reach only ten people in the beginning but make sure it is out there.

Q.Did you use a pirated version of Ableton in the beginning since it is a costly software?

Ritviz: I found a trial version in the beginning and started working on it. Then I bought the software with my gig money when I worked as a DJ.

Q. Some no brainers to promote your music for free?

Ritviz: Through your friends!

Q. Hi I’m Dhaval. I’m 16 and really into music but my friends think I’m joking. How do I get them to take me seriously?

Ritviz: Forget what your friends say, Dhaval (laughs). You should know that you’re not making music for them, you’re making music for yourself. Just remember that. Always know your purpose.

Q.When is Roshni coming out? (Roshni is an upcoming collaborative track by RITVIZ & Seedhe Maut)

Ritviz: In the first half of May.

Q. What are your thoughts on attending music school?

Ritviz: I am against it. It’s extremely important to identify your weaknesses and strengths in your own space. You must walk in with no expectations.

As such, conventional education is not needed because according to me it’s just a tool.

I was left with the software for two weeks. I watched a lot of YouTube tutorials and found new ways. It’s all trial and error. There are no rules. If you want to express something, you will have that freedom. Go to YouTube and you’ll find everything for free. AND JUST GET TO WORK!

Q. When did you start earning?

Ritviz: I was 19 when I started doing gigs. But I only started making money off music much later. It was through live shows. Now, streaming aspects can also to be looked into.

If Ritviz filled your slam book:

Favourite films at the moment

Parasite, Dave

Favourite Documentary

The Ted Bundy Tapes

Favourite stand up special

Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette

Favourite books

How To Ruin Everything by George Watsky (2016)

Must follow accounts on Instagram

COMPLEX (Media/News Company). They’ve got a pretty dope sneakers collection called Complex Sneakers.

the.6th.eye ( Rishik ), photography and videography account.