Edited & Styled by: Janet Shamili Photographer: Pushpesh Dhingra
Euphoric Exclusive The creative world of the entertainment industry is my oxygen, it s the only home I belong in
Things to know about Ramona Arena A Vj, Tv host, radio jockey, film and theatre actor from the many faces of Ramona Arena today we connect with the singer Interviewed by Janet Shamili Post a gruelling six hour shoot for the magazine s fashion pages I had neither the energy nor the will power to get myself charged up for the yet to happen shoot with Ramona, as I just started to take a mini chocolate break, Ramona arrived punctual to the T, startled and somewhat embarrassed having a big chuck of chocolate stuck to my mouth, I jumped up with a sudden surge of enthusiasm running through me, we began the shoot. Devoid of any unnecessary airs and complete with an ease that shines forth her approachability, Ramona settled herself calmly for the hair and make-up, no complains, no nagging, just cheerful babble, a joke here, a laugh there and how we blazed past the shoot is beyond me. We all came to know you as a VJ first for Mtv and you have been a recurring face across television through the years but we now see you blazing through the EDM scene, how did the transition into a singer come about? I've always been a singer I sang before I spoke, all through my school my mom always complained that when it came to songs and lyrics there was nothing I didn't know upon hearing just once, but when it came to my studies it seemed to take forever. I was active in college too with my singing, won a lot of inter collegiate festivals, I sang in the musical Oliver! Where I played the lead role of Nancy, I sang the English bit 'I just wanna be close to you' in Dj Aqeel s remix of Kehdoon Tumhein. So I've always been singing, just didn't really do much about it! Do you have any formal training in music? Were you always inclined towards it? Yes I have in bits and pieces in school, then a lot of training with the musical. Both my teachers the late Ms. Hirjeebedan and Marianne have been phenomenal and incredible. Music is my life. After graduation everything I've ever done has been around music from radio to theatre to Mtv. I don't know life without music, and would never want to. When did the love affair with EDM begin? Did you start off with a different genre initially? What were your favourite bands or artists growing up? Well I've always loved all kinds of music from western classical to rock to jazz and the top 40 pop! The only music I've never been able to get in to is death metal, hardcore rap and country western. I started clubbing way early (was very mature for my age so fooled people, I was 18 when I was 13!) And growing up on the 'Now' series was the 'in' thing.. so those featured 2Unlimited, Eifeel 65, Robert Miles, Scatman John and the list goes on really. Thankfully it evolved from that to the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Chicane, Daft Punk etc and the rest is history!
Your new single Wanna be your only love what was the inspiration behind it, are you planning on launching a music video for the track as well, if yes then do tell us something about what you have in mind for the video? Well I wrote Wanna Be Your Only Love in 2010 at home in Switzerland, a friend of mine Thomas Eggli sent me a rough track and asked if I felt like throwing some vocals over it. So I wrote the vocal melody for it first and then I found a poem I'd written for someone, thought it'd would work perfectly with the melody I'd composed for it, adapted it and voila! WBYOL was born. I've worked my butt off and done so much of the work myself for this video, huge thanks to Red Bull, Vh1 India and all my friends who've helped and supported me to make it happen. It will definitely be out by the time your readers read this they just have to youtube it on 925 Music the official record label! I am going to put you in a difficult spot and ask you to name your top five Dj s? Also is there any one particular Dj or producer that you really want to work with in the future? Oh my god! That s a terrible question.. haha! Ummm.. Ok in no order of priority at all I'll say SHM, Deadmau5, Tiesto, Sander V Doorn, Swedish House Mafia, Michael Woods, Sultan & Ned, Paul Thomas, Mark Knight, Hardwell, Alesso, Alex Kenji, Fedde Le Grand, Armin V Buuren, Protoculture, Zedd, Kaveh Pleasurekraft, Richie Hawtin, Hobo, Spartaque, Fergie, Matt Samuels... okay I can't do this. There are too many besides there are too many sub genres of EDM so in that capacity, I should get to mention at least 30? In your opinion how much has Sunburn festival affected the EDM scene in India? Do you think it helped catapult India as a global destination and paved the way for more events? I think Sunburn has done loads for the EDM scene in India in a very positive way. Look at how much of a bigger scene there is today compared to a few years ago. As Shailendra says, our obsession with the west is so great, why can't we make a product of our own and show the west how great we are! And with Sunburn featuring in the top 10 festivals in the world, it being attended by thousands, viewed live by millions and having the biggest names in scene want to be a part of it, there's just no doubt about it. I'm thrilled to be a part of that family. Having styled you for the shoot I am somewhat aware of what you like and also what you wouldn t be caught dead in, what would be your top five wardrobe essentials? Blue Jeans White Shirt Singlets in all colours and shades Belts Heels You have travelled all over the world for festivals and events, what are your top three travel tips? And top three travel kit essentials? 1. As a third world citizen, don't EVER forget/lose your passport 2. Travel with an iphone (you won't need anything else Guides/ maps/info/camera/ipod) 3. Always check the weather for the time frame you're travelling in 1. Sunglasses 2. Music 3. Credit Card
If there was any one particular artist you would like to get to perform in India, who would that be? Deadmau5 Are you personally active on social media sites? In your opinion how important is it for you on a professional basis? Yes I am, I also have admins on FB page and website but on the whole I have to say, it s all mostly me on twitter. I think it's great because you meet so many new people professionally and at the same time you also have direct contact with your fans and supporters. Was there ever a plan B? If not in this industry what would have been your alternate career path? I'm creative maths, science, economics is where I fail... miserably. Also the kind of person that I am too free spirited, too independent and always looking to try new things and do more, I would just not be conducive to doing anything other than this! There never was and never can be the creative world of the entertainment industry is my oxygen, it s the only home I belong in. Is there anything that you would like to change about the EDM industry? Is there an all time favourite track of yours? Get more people in India to support their own artists, get them to buy singles and our tracks. And stop giving guest Dj's requests!!!! No one cares your favourite song is 'Guantanamera' (yes I swear in the middle of a 'big' Dj s set) it s embarrassing and ridiculous to do that. Tooooooo many tracks to even think of a favourite! Musically speaking if you could, would you want to be reborn in a different era or are you content being in the present day scenario? Actually sometimes I wish I'd lived through the 70's to experience the whole hippie, flower power scene but then I have to say I'm quite thrilled to be exactly where I am because I got to live through times when we had cassettes to Mds to Cds to mp3s etc! I missed out on the LP era but hey my parents had LPs and players so I'd throw them on every now and then for fun. And I've been exposed to Western Classical music through my grand mom, the 60's, 70's and 80's through my parents and the 90's to the present day has been a wonderful journey through time in music that I wouldn't trade for the world. What plans for 2012? What can we look forward from you? I tend not to talk about the future cos life has this way of mocking me. Every time I make a plan or say I'm definitely doing something, it'll slap something else in my face, point its finger at me and go 'ha-ha did you really think you'd do that!?' Basically it's a bucket full of surprises, you never know which one you'll get. Thank you so much for taking time out for us, a few words for the Euphoric readers? Thank you so much for all the support and love! It makes me proud to be the first singer from India singing in English, writing in English and releasing music internationally. It's great to see y'all happy and grooving to the music but we need you to go out and buy the music for us to be able to make it LARGE. Indian Djs & producers have tons of talent and are doing lots internationally too but no one knows of this. Let s all support each other and show the world India's got serious talent, which is at par with international standards. We can all make a change together. Thanks Euphoric mag for the initiative, support and hard work! Hope y'all become best sellers soon good luck to all of you!!! Much love always!