(July 31, 2007) PCM's Katelyn recently 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!