Tejas Shankar, the lead singer of Lagori, takes our volley of questions…
If you had to choose one song as a pick-up line, what would it be?
Aaja Meri Gaadi Mein Baith Ja by Baba Sehgal.
Musicians you admire?
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as he’s God! To me, he’s the most soulful singer. I also admire Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden — he’s the most energetic performer I’ve seen. Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam is another favourite.
Million bucks or true love?
True love — it could be for anything — from music to nature to human beings.
Your biggest pet peeve?
People who unnecessarily bring down other artforms or genres of music. I get irked by people who are judgmental about something they don’t understand.
Most memorable incident as a singer? I have had many, but if I had to pick one, it would be our last week’s show at Delhi Technological University. When we were performing our River Song, nearly 10,000 people were flashing their mobile lights and syncing with us. They looked like stars in the sky.
A celebrity you’d like to date?
Baba Sehgal — he’s the funniest guy ever. He’s one of the craziest people I’ve ever met.
An artiste you’d like to collaborate with and why?
My dream is to collaborate with Radiohead as they’re diametrically opposite to what I do and they’re my inspiration in Western music. Other artistes would be Sigur Ros and Abida Parveen.
A song you’d never delete?
Allah Hoon by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
A trait about you many don’t know?
I like silence. People think I’m this guy who loves madness, but when they see me silent, they’re really surprised.
A superpower you wish you had?
To become invisible, because sometimes, it’s nice to be away from everything.
— As told to Ikyatha Yerasala
