The 21-year-old guitar prodigy is touring the globe, and is planning two albums in 2017. Read more about him here
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"At a gig in New Delhi, when AR Rahman was introducing the band to the audience, he looked at me and could not recall my name. Ranjit (Barot) uncle told him, 'He is Rhythm, how can you miss him?"'he says. Not every young musician rubs shoulders with stalwarts but Rhythm Shaw is gifted. The 21-year-old from Kolkata toured with Rahman, played on the same stage where Carlos Santana was up next (in San Francisco) and is currently working on two guitar albums simultaneously. Music is in his genes; his father, Nepal Shaw, is an eminent guitarist who has worked with RD Burman.
Excerpts from an interview.
How did AR Rahman happen in your life?
Bassist Mohini (Dey) shared my work with Ranjit uncle last year. A few days later, he connected with me to check if I wanted to record for an album with him. Before I could believe what was happening, he called me back in a few minutes, asking if I wanted to play with Rahman sir. I was out of my mind. Apart from touring with him, I also recorded with him for a Tamil film, called 24, last year. I also worked on Dangal recently. My name went as Ridu Shaw in the credits because Pritam calls me that.
RhythmâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Shaw in a performance with his band at the NH7 Weekender last year; (Insert) As a toddler
You've been spending a lot of time in Germany. What takes you there every year?
The audience appreciates acoustic music. It is a lot more than any other country. I did an 18-concert tour last year and will be doing a 22-concert tour this year.
You released your first album, Opening Act (in 2015), under a German label too.
Yes, Acoustic Music Records recorded and produced my album. It is owned by German guitar great, Peter Finger. He was one of the judges at the All India Finger-Style Guitar Competition in Bengaluru that I won in 2014. In the after-party, he informed that he wanted to sign me up. Apart from owning a label, he also makes guitars and runs a magazine, Akustik Gitarre. He is managing me in Germany now. The album had 11 tracks, which is available online.
With AR Âu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Rahman
How did the other tours in Europe happen?
A group of musicians found my work interesting, through YouTube, and wanted to collaborate. Since I am on Facebook by my nickname (Ridu), they couldn't find me there. But somehow, they got hold of my e-mail ID. It was an interesting collaboration, with a few women singers from Iceland and musicians from US and Europe. We travelled to the Czech Republic and Iceland. Everyone played their tunes, which we had shared within the group through the Internet before meeting. We also played covers of Chick Corea.
Tell us about the two new albums in the pipeline.
Since I was the best seller in the Germany tour last year, I am working on my second album, which will also be produced there (laughs). But there is something for my friends in India too. I have teamed up with the bigwigs to record my first electric guitar album, which will be recorded here. There will be Gino Banks (drums), Sheldon D'Silva (bass), Mohini (bass), Darshan Doshi (drums), Jay Row Kavi (drums) in the album. I am also into Steve Vai and John Petrucci apart from acoustic music.
At 21, what inspires you to compose?
I don't think visually while making a song. It is only after the completion of the song that I think of a name. The song, Day Of A Soldier, fits a guy who is fighting a war. People also loved All I Was Thinking Of You, Titan,âÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088Valore and Forsaken Lady. But the Opening Act, the title track of the album, is the first tune I ever made on an acoustic guitar.
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