Raghav

Raghav looks to grow beyond dance hits the single life

raghavmathur — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:21:13 +0000

By Mike Bell, Calgary Herald

Photograph by: Grant Black, Calgary Herald

SPOTLIGHT

Raghav’s new album, The Phoenix, is released today.

It’s tough, in this day and age, being a single guy. Especially when you want to be so much more.

Calgary musician Raghav Mathur appreciates the dilemma, because it’s one he’s dealing with as he gets set to release his debut North American full-length The Phoenix, which drops today in Canada, on the Victoria-based Cordova Bay label.

To many in this part of the world, the artist, who performs and records under his first name only, is known for dance hits such as Fire, Top of the World and the track So Much featuring Canuck hip-hop artist Kardinal Offishall, but he’s hoping with the release of The Phoenix, people will get a more complete picture of what and who he is.

“For those that have heard the singles, the album is nothing like the singles,” Raghav says, while sitting in Mount Royal tea house Steeps. “I often wonder if the day of the album is dead, and if this is something very few people will actually get to listen to and care about. But it’s important to me because the depth, musically, to me, on the album, supersedes that of the singles. I’d like people to know there’s more musicality to me than simply the singles – which I am proud of.”

And, it’s difficult not to look favourably on those tracks – all of which are included on the new album – and at the dance-pop side of his career, and it would be foolish not to note them.

There’s Fire, which earned a number of radio award nominations and got some play in the Dome during games by his be-loved Flames; Love, which was originally written for Michael Jackson, who died before he could record it; and then there are the three songs he recorded with rising superstar U.K. producer Labyrinth, which Raghav is particularly excited about, considering the producer was signed by Simon Cowell and has just released his own album, which is expected to top the charts overseas. “I’m proud that he was able to give me the time when he’s at the top of his game,” Raghav says.

But still, the 31-year-old is hoping that those who may have dismissed him or even embraced him as merely a pop artist might look past those to see some of the ballads and more adult contemporary tracks on the record, which show off his greatest attribute and the reason he got into music as a child and seriously in his teens.

“The one thing that gets lost in the mix when you hear a (song) like Fire or Top of the World – which are fun singles – is that sometimes I forget I’m a singer. And I forget that what I actually do is sing. I do so much else throughout my day to keep my head above water, to have a career, even after selling a million records, sometimes it’s frustrating that you forget what you do is you sing,” he says. “And the album, I’m glad when I sit down to listen to it, I go, ‘Wow, I’m glad that (song’s) on there’ so that people who go, ‘That’s a cheesy (song),’ or, ‘That’s a pop (song),’ they can say, ‘Actually, this guy can sing.’ “That will hold me in good stead if I get the breaks.”

Again, his reference to selling more than a million records would seem to indicate that he’s had his share of breaks over the years which he admits he has. That’s especially true in Britain and more notably in India, where his two previous releases – Storyteller and Identity – were massive hits and made him a household name in that region a half-decade ago.

It also has led to another huge opportunity, which has nothing to do with the release of The Phoenix, but should, nonetheless, keep momentum going for the artist. Recently, Raghav began collaborating with A.R. Rachman, the Academy, Grammy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, etc. award-winning composer, songwriter and producer and man behind the music for Slumdog Millionaire. And as a result, Raghav should get some huge exposure thanks to an “international project” that’s in the works down in Los Angeles, as well as a Bollywood project they’re collaborating on for the Yash Raj production company in India.

“Those are the biggest films in Bollywood. They’re the epic films in Bollywood,” he says, noting he’ll have at least one, possibly two tracks in the film where he provides his voice and the com-poser provides his music. “With Rahman’s pedigree, the fact that he’s taken me in on some projects is pretty awesome,”

It says a great deal to Raghav’s talents that while attempting to break big in the western world, he can still keep his image up in South Asia where he had previous success. In fact, that skill is one he even shows off, proudly, on The Phoenix, with, among all of the material, a Hindi tune, Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya.

“I think it was hugely important to have that song on there,” he says. “I think it just finishes it off and says this is what this artist is all about. That’s what an album has to be all about, it has to tell a certain story about your range, your abilities, in a number of different way.

“So for me it was important to have that on. . . . And hopefully it helps show people who I am as an artist.”

A single man. And so much more.

mbell@calgaryherald.com Follow on Twitter @mrbell_23

http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/movie-guide/Raghav+looks+grow+beyond+dance+hits+single+life/6434021/story.html#ixzz1rfPOnNl5

Raghav is On Top of the world as ‘THE PHOENIX’ comes to life

raghavmathur — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:27:40 +0000

After setting the stage on fire at the Canadian Radio Music Awards, Raghav has officially stamped his name in the minds of the Canadian music industry, proving what hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide already know….this guy can sing!

Raghav is poised to released his first full-length album, titled The Phoenix, in his home country of Canada tomorrow. The lead up to this moment has already seen him nominated for a Juno, three Canadian Radio Music Awards, and an Indie Award. His single Fire was certified Gold with 50,000 copies sold and has been spun 30,000 times at radio. His latest single Top Of The World is set to follow in its footsteps.

With producers Labrinth (#1 song in the UK w/Tinie Tempah) and Jim Beanz (Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, Chris Brown) on board and a collaboration with Kardinal Offishall, The Phoenix has 11 smash tracks that will not only have you on the dance floor but will establish Raghav as Canada’s freshest pop sensation.

When asked what the album means to him, Raghav had the following to say: “It is truly a momentous day for me to have finally reached the goal of putting out an album in Canada. I am so fiercely proud of my first commercial release in my home country. For years, as I had numerous single and album launches worldwide, I would envision the day when I could “come back home” with my music. I’ve put all my creative energy into making this album. Hope you love it Canada.”

Click on the album cover to buy now!

Raghav to perform at surrey’s Party for the planet April 27!

raghavmathur — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:34:38 +0000

SURREY – Down With Webster, Raghav and The Boom Booms will headline Surrey’s Party for the Planet, April 27-28 at Central City plaza.

“B.C.’s largest Earth Day celebration” will feature two days of environment-related activities, plus a diverse range of performers on stage.

Admission is free at the event, expected to attract 20,000 people.

A bike-powered stage will generate electricity needed for all those amps on stage, mostly for the bigger name acts on the evening of Friday, April 27. Rap-rock sextet Down With Webster will play at 9 p.m. that evening, following sets by Calgary-raised pop/R&B singer Raghav, The Boom Booms, Shawn Hook and Surrey-based band Good For Grapes. DJ Jay Swing performs in a dance tent sponsored by Port Metro Vancouver Energy.

The stage is set Saturday, April 28 for daytime performers that include Bobs ‘n’ Lolo, DRS B-Boy Crew, Surrey’s Celebration Dance Team, Ta Da Lady, SuperChefs, Mike Battie and others, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TD Bank Group has been named presenting sponsor of the second annual Party for the Planet, which will feature “Meet the Backyardigans” sessions, Kids World zone, a live broadcast of CTV News, Safeway Country Farm area, a Community Corridor hub of social sustainability, energy alternatives, Nature Nook, Landscape Lane, Water Way and other Earth Day-related attractions.

More than 150 volunteers are needed to stage Party for the Planet, and exhibitor opportunities are available. Event info is online at www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet.

‘Fire’ nominated for a SiriusXM indie award!

raghavmathur — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:14:39 +0000

Raghav has added another nomination to what is already a long list of achievements in his career. Now in their 12th year, the SiriusXM Indies acknowledge, promote and honour achievements of Canadian and international artists in the independent music sector. Raghav is nominated among a field of amazing fellow nominees.

Raghav’s hit song Fire is nominated in the SINGLE OF THE YEAR category:
Alyssa Reid – Alone Again (Wax)
Crystal Castles – Not In Love (feat. Robert Smith) (Last Gang)
Kristina Maria – Let’s Play (MapleMusic)
Raghav – Fire (Cordova Bay)
The Sheepdogs – I Don’t Know (Dine Alone)

You can help out by voting for Raghav as well as showing your support for other great Canadian talent. Voting is permitted once per email address.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

The winners will be presented on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, beginning at 8:00pm. The full list of nominees and award categories can be found here.

Raghav to Release ‘THE PHOENIX’ April 10th

raghavmathur — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:08:51 +0000

Raghav is set to release his first album in Canada on April 10th, 2012.

On The Phoenix, fans will appreciate the connection to his past musical genius, and new listeners will discover a melodic, well-spoken, charismatic artist. Proving he has an ear for hot young talent, Raghav hooked up with artist and producer Labrinth for a writing and producing session last year that yielded first single So Much, featuring fellow Canadian Kardinal Offishall, and album tracks Don’t Look Back, and One In A Million. Labrinth has since gone on to become the first artist signed to Simon Cowell’s label Syco, and produced the UK #1 hit single Pass Out, for Tinie Tempah.

Raghav also teamed up with legendary producer Jim Beanz (Timbaland, Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado) on a number of The Phoenix’s tracks. Beanz co-wrote and produced You Should Be The One and current radio single Top Of The World. Check out the new video for the song here. The record features the track Love, which was also written by Beanz, and originally optioned by Michael Jackson. After never being recorded, Love became available, with Raghav as the producer’s choice to finally record the song. Beanz produced the album’s second single Fire, which has been played relentlessly on radio stations across Canada, was certified Gold, and spent over 20 weeks on Billboard’s Canada Hot 100, and 44 weeks on Billboard’s Emerging Canadian Artist charts. The track has earned Raghav nominations for CHR and Hot AC Single Of The Year at the Canadian Radio Music Awards, where he will perform on March 23 in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York.

New Video!!

raghavmathur — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:21:39 +0000

Raghav has released the video for ‘Top Of The World‘, the third single from his upcoming album, ‘The Phoenix’. In this video Raghav demonstrates how to keep a positive attitude and enjoy the good things in life by throwing a killer party in the back of a truck! The video was filmed in Vancouver and directed y S6 Boy.

You can watch the video on YouTube and buy the track on iTunes now!

raghav receives TWO nominations at canadian radio music awards!

raghavmathur — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:12:16 +0000

The Canadian Radio Music Awards announced their nominations for the 15th Annual awards this morning. The awards, celebrating first-time top charting Canadian artists, will be hosted by radio personality Jay “Mad Dog” Michaels and will feature performances by nominees Alyssa Reid, Dragonette, Fefe Dobson, Kira Isabella, Neverst, Raghav, and The Sheepdogs.

The CRMAs will honour nominees across eight distinct categories. This year’s music categories include: Mainstream AC, Hot AC, Rock, CHR, Dance/Urban/Rhythmic, and Country. Nominees comprise artists who have hit the Canadian charts for the first time and who have achieved airplay in different formats based on radio “spins”, as recorded by Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS) in 2011. Votes cast by program directors, music directors, and on-air personalities determine the winners.

Raghav is nominated in two categories:

CHR
ALYSSA REID – ALONE AGAIN
ANJULIE – BRAND NEW CHICK
MARTIN SOLVEIG & DRAGONETTE – HELLO
RAGHAV – FIRE
THESE KIDS WEAR CROWNS – JUMPSTART

HOT AC
ALYSSA REID – ALONE AGAIN
KRISTINA MARIA – LET’S PLAY
MARTIN SOLVEIG & DRAGONETTE – HELLO
NEVEREST – ABOUT US
RAGHAV – FIRE

Raghav to perform at CityTV’s New Year’s Bash!

raghavmathur — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:39:00 +0000

On December 31st Raghav will be ringing in the New Year with his fellow Calgarians. Raghav will sing his hit songs Fire, So Much and Top of World live on the Citytv New Year’s Bash which will be broadcast from Olympic Plaza!

If you live in Calgary you can join the festivities. The show will feature tons of fun for the entire family and it is free!

For those of you living in other parts of Canada this nationally broadcast television special will air live on Citytv. A live stream of Citytv’s New Year’s Eve Bash will also beavailable online at www.Citytv.com/newyears2012.com and on the Citytv iPad app. The party kicks off at 9:30pm MST.

The event will be hosted by Tara Stone, Ted Henley, Andrew Schultz, Jill Beland and the entire Breakfast Television team. This is the first ever Calgary-based New Years Eve Bash and it is already being labeled one of the hottest New Year’s parties in Calgary.

Two shows this weekend!

raghavmathur — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:29:58 +0000

Friday, November 25th

Raghav is performing at Barracuda Pretty in St. Catharines, Ontario.

30 Ontario Street

CLICK HERE FOR THE FACEBOOK EVENT

Saturday, November 26th

Raghav is performing at The Vue in Toronto, Ontario as part of the International Fashion Festival’s exclusive after-party.

Only those with tickets to IFF or pre-book booths can attend.

Buy your IFF tickets or book your booth packages now by calling 416.88.7615 / 416.875.4465 or purchase online at www.absoluteculture.ca

IFF Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/IFFToronto