Krameri

Musicmandir is very pleased to feature 'Krameri' who was kind enough to talk to us about her latest release titled 'Hampstead'. Set in the leafy haven of Hampstead, each song in the album is a perfumed love letter to the listener. Like pages out of a diary entry, the songs are based on themes of personal ambition, scented memories of a lost love and haunted dreams.

Krameri's music is a mix of emotions and a deep rooted devotion to allowing her music to lead the way forward. Trained in classical Indian and Western music from the prestigious KM Music Conservatory in Chennai it was a pleasure to talk to her.

Musicmandir - Tell us a little about yourself? 

Krameri - My name is Damini Chauhan and I am 23 years old. Currently in London, where I just graduated from Middlesex University since it has a tie up with KM Music conservatory. We do three years in Chennai and the final year in London. I am also doing a short course in music production and sound engineering from point blank while recording my album titled ‘By The Sea’ which will release sometime around November.

Musicmandir - How was your experience in the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai?

Krameri - The best thing about KM are the teachers. The faculty is just exceptional and really what made me what I am. Adam Greig, who is the program leader inspired me so much, not just musically but also shaped my thoughts and opinions, about how I want to be as an artist and how I want to express myself. Gabriel Jones taught me piano and really just made me fall in love with it. Jimmy, who heads the composition module (he is a fantastic composer himself and is absolutely crazy who drives everyone crazy too),  introduced me to many composers/musicians such as Steve Reich, John Cage, also Sufjan Stevens. There are so many other mentors who have had such a huge contribution to my education at KM Music Conservatory.

I have a special place in my heart for the Hindustani faculty - Asawari ma’am, who was like a mother to everyone, Shruti ma’am, Humble Shine Sir, Rajesh Sir and Munnaji who apart from being so exceptionally talented of course, introduced me to their their spiritual side. The entire Hindustani faculty unknowingly or knowingly had this wonderful spiritual energy which i am lucky to have experienced and learned from. And last but not least, my production teacher Deepak Sugathan (who doesn’t teach there anymore) without whom there wouldn’t be a Krameri because I wrote my first ever song ‘Head in the Clouds’ as part of an assignment for his class and he was the one who encouraged me to write more and later on, acted as a manager, so of course he has been very instrumental in my journey and continues to be so, he is the one I turn to for any advice regarding my career.

Musicmandir - Can you tell us about your latest album 'Hampstead'?

Krameri - One prominent theme in the album is that of dreaming, dreaming so headily that it becomes a fantasy. Part real part fiction, all the jumbled thoughts in our minds make us who we are. Sometimes we dream so much that it feels as if it has already happened. Those memories are kept in a special, often visited part of our minds where all our desires go. The area of Hampstead represents that space; a secluded safe space; an oasis where the scene is set.

Listen to the album here.

Musicmandir - In very simple terms what's your approach to making music, is it instinctive or you write the lyrics first?

Krameri - My approach towards making music is quite intimate and personal. More of non - musical things inspire me to make music than actual music itself. Like a painting, place, film, an emotion, a person, a smell…something like that. Especially if something has an aesthetic- a place, photo, person, I will want to try and capture that and translate it into a sound medium if it inspires me. I love listening to songs in different languages-especially French, because I love the way the words sound. 

So the songs are just like thoughts, but I guess its like an expression of what I’ve absorbed subconsciously and I try not to take them too seriously as I wouldn’t say they define me. The production part is just like gift wrapping paper, its how you present the story to keep the listener engaged.

Musicmandir - How important is the lyrics of your music to you since you’ve described your music intimate and personal?

Krameri - Lyrics are the most important element for me in music, so the more of them, and the way they are worded and phrased, the more it excites me, which I why I love rap. I love memorizing it, I can’t help but want to know it by heart so I can sing along when I find my flow. I love words and sounds.

Musicmandir - Do you have any favorite Indian artists?

Krameri - I think Sandunes is so amazing. I saw her perform live a few years ago even before I started making any music of my own and when I saw her, I felt like it was something to aspire to. I remember she was dressed so simple in just jeans and sneakers and she put on the whole show by herself and it was just so refreshing to see a woman do what you usually see guys do. And she’s just so beautiful and humble too, and just really passionate about her craft and it shows. 

Also such a huge fan of Nucleya and Ritviz - i love their music.

Watch the music video for All This Time by Krameri 

 

Musicmandir - Where can our readers follow you? 

Krameri - You can follow me on the following channels - Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

 

If you wish to listen to and discover more independent artists such as 'Krameri' head over to our Spotify playlist!