I had the opportunity to speak with Suphala, a Tabla
artist, composer and producer about her recently released her
album "The Blueprint".
Katelyn: Hi Suphala
Suphala: Hi.
Katelyn: How are you doing today?
Suphala: Good how are you?
Katelyn: I'm doing very well, thanks. So I just
have a few questions for you. While going through various websites
I've been very impressed by what I've read most notably I see
that you were the first female musician to play in Afghanistan
since the fall of the Taliban. What was that like for you and
were there any challenges or obstacles you had to overcome to
do so?
Suphala: Yea I went to play a concert and when I
was there I discovered that no one had really been playing concerts.
The musicians had just come back to live there the ones who had
fled and we had this common language of music- they play the same
as Indian classical music and of course. So we were immediately
able to sit down and play together and play the same rhythms and
there was a lot of immediate common knowledge.
Katelyn: Were you received pretty warmly there?
Suphala: Yea I was I was very well taken care of,
I think they were just happy that someone came from outside to
do this because they were just trying to revive. So they were
very appreciative.
Katelyn: That's great. So when did you first become
interested in playing the Tabla?
Suphala: I grew up on the piano then started to
dabble with other instruments like the drums, violin, and some
other things and then wanted to try the Tabla. I had a couple
of teachers in the beginning and then once I discovered Zakir
was in the country I was able to go study with him and then with
his father. It just sort of took me in completely and took over
everything I was doing.
Katelyn: It seems like you go back every year to
refine you techniques is that correct?
Suphala: Yea I go back to India every winter. So
as soon as I started to study with Aki and his father in India
from whom he learned from and so I went there that year and it
just became a pattern to go back every winter.
Katelyn: That's great. So what message do you feel
you are trying to relay with your album, "The Blueprint"?
Suphala: The record is something more palatable
for people in general. It has tabla in it, but my compositions
involve everything from stings to electronics to all these special
guests like Edie Brickell and King Britt. So it's another way
of expression I can use the things I've learned and the instruments
I've played and the production techniques I've learned to play
anything that comes to mind. So that is what the records about.
Katelyn: Sounds fun, so you had mentioned you had
some people you had collaborated with is there anyone in the future
that you would love to collaborate with that you have in mind
as of now?
Suphala: Well you know I like the people I work
with currently I'll probably keep working with them, but I think
you never know until you meet them. Maybe someone I admire, but
until you meet them and see if there's a musical chemistry it's
hard to say.
Katelyn: How did you decide on the title for "The
Blueprint" is there a hidden meaning?
Suphala: It's not a hidden meaning, but the concept
is that these recordings are blueprints and prototypes that we
can interpret in many different ways. So we can take the piece
and recreate it live with different interpretation and improvise
based on that theme. So that's the idea it's also something that
allows each individual listener to have a different take on what
they hear and will have their own experience. Although the recording
is finite it's infinite in the sense of interpretation.
Katelyn: During your live shows do you find that
you tend to improvise a lot or is it pretty much what the listeners
hear on the CD is what they will get?
Suphala: We improvise quite a bit. Lately we've
been playing songs like they are on the album, but within every
set you'll find something that is improvised because it keeps
things interesting for us and for the people who come hear they
get to hear something new each time.
Katelyn: Right- a unique experience for everyone.
So what is your favorite type of music? Is tabla something you
listen to on a regular basis or is there another genre that interests
you?
Suphala: I listen to everything- the tabla, the
Indian classical, but music comes my way and I check it out and
I like listening to music to hear the production quality in different
compositions for many different reasons so I check out all sorts
of genres of music. I also really need there to be times when
your ears get a break. So actually just silence alone is something
important.
Katelyn: Oh definitely, as far as pop music goes
are there any particular bands that interest you?
Suphala: Yea there are quite a few like Prince who
I always listened to and it's always nice to hear what he is coming
up with and I'm from Minneapolis. So he was part of the soundtrack
to growing up there.
Katelyn: Sounds good, so previously to music did
you hold any jobs before that or were you always just in music?
Suphala: I mostly pursued music, you know everything
in the arts was something that interested me from making films
in college, but music was something that was always going on.
Katelyn: Now do you prefer to perform live on stage
or do you have nerves and just like working in the studio?
Suphala: Yea I love performing because then you
get to see your audience in that same moment and interact with
them just through music. So there's something special about that
and I always grew up with music teachers that were training me
for that purpose. So it's something I've been doing since I reached
the age of 4, it was on piano then, but it's definitely something
that I like to do. The studio is another world it's much more
a lifestyle which I like so I love to go back and forth.
Katelyn: Sounds good. So how has it been being on
an indie release, has it affected your view of the recording industry?
Do you prefer to have the no holds bar freedom of the indie release?
Suphala: The freedom is definitely important for
how I'm releasing a record, but with all the changes in the record
industry it's a very good time to do something on your own and
with the help of a good team. I definitely prefer doing it this
way.
Katelyn: It seems like it could be a little bit
more rewarding being able to do it on your own as well.
Suphala: Yea.
Katelyn: So is there anyone special in your life
at this point or are you still mainly focused on your career?
Suphala: Well there are a lot of special people
in my life.
Katelyn: Good answer! Well thank you so much for
talking with us. It's been great to hear from you and I'm sure
we will be hearing a lot more, what's your plan from here any
albums or more concerts coming up in the near future?
Suphala: Yea I think both more concerts and new
recordings.
Katelyn: What kind of venues do you usually play
at?
Suphala: Well the next show is at Joe's Pub in Manhattan.
Katelyn: Well good luck there and thank you again
and hope to hear from you some other time.
Suphala: Thanks Katelyn!
