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Radha Thomas

 
 

A Tribe of Noise Spotlight Interview with a multifaceted talent.

 

On Radha’s profile you will find:

She is a jazz and blues singer who trained in Indian classical vocals. Her fluency in switching between genres is unique and has made her unique and she is considered one of the foremost indie/jazz vocalists in India.

In America, she performed extensively with musicians such as Ryo Kawasaki, Frank Tusa, John Scofield, Michael Brecker, Alex Blake, Badal Roy, Buddy Williams, Joe Farrell and others, showcasing her music at popular venues.

Back in India, she collaborated with leading Indian jazz musicians  before forming her own band UNK: The Radha Thomas Ensemble. Based in Bangalore is rated #1 nationally on Reverbnation. Their first album 'I Only Have Eyes For You,' has received excellent reviews and airplay all over America.

She performed at all major Indian jazz festivals including Jazz Yatra, ICCR Delhi International Festival, Indigo & Blues Festival, Bangalore International Arts Festival, Bengaluru Habba, iSai Festival, goMad Festival and others, besides gigging all over India.

She has performed recently in Romania at EuropaFest and in New York at the South Asian Performing Arts Festival.

She also hosted a weekly jazz show on Radio Indigo in Bangalore.

But how did Radha adapt to the industry, what has been her biggest surprise along the way and what advice would she give her past self?

 

Featured Songs

 
 
 

KEEP READING…

… and watch one of Radha’s performances at the bottom

 
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Can you describe your music in three words?

Real, heart-felt, jazz

 

How have you adapted musically?

Music cannot exist without constantly adapting and changing. Whether it’s with a new set of musicians or a new audience or simply a new mood I’m feeling, the same song can sound different from day to day. That’s also the nature of jazz, which focuses on improv.

 
 
 
 
 

Is there any other aspect of the industry you’d like to dabble in?

Composing, writing and performing take up most of my musical reserves and it would be great if I could stop at that. But I also manage my own career and my band, so sadly a lot of admin duties fall on me.

 

What has surprised you most about the music industry?

I am somewhat surprised at the violence, especially towards women, if you listen to the lyrics of some of today’s rappers and hip-hop artists. It’s odd that no one has started a movement against this.

 
 
 
 

What is one thing you’d like to change about the music industry?

The industry is what musicians and the audience want. It’s not something one can change. One can only evolve and adapt, I think.

 

If you could go back to before you started out and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?

Think with your head and not your heart, you stupid creature!

 

What’s the best part about being a musician?

I’ve been singing professionally for 45 years. It’s quite wonderful that I’m still getting gigs and people claim they like to hear me sing. That is the most gratifying thing about being a musician.

 
 

Watch Radha’s Performance

 
 
 

Like to learn more about Radha Thomas?

Check Radha’s online presence!