November 2024: ‘My Life Be Like’, in its essence, is about my lifestyle: Parmish Verma

From high energy party anthems to music with depth & intent, Parmish Verma has seen an evolution over years, especially during and post COVID pandemic. His music speaks about and connects with dreamers who are rooted in authenticity. Genuine story telling has been a hallmark of his work and this is what makes him connect with his fans, who can swear by him. He has collaborated with T-Series, and his first song ‘My Life Be Like’ is out recently. We took some time out from him to have a candid chat for our November cover story, here is what he has to say:

The song ‘My Life Be Like’ has two sides to it, Starry & Glam and Thinking & Lonely. Tell us about it a bit more.

When you start making music, you talk about the fantasies, lifestyle, etc., that you would one day achieve, something to look forward to. But, when you are actually in the business for certain number of years and you start living the life that you aspired to, you start reminiscing your past. This has been my story too. What I have tried to showcase in the song is the two sides of mine, one which is very commercial and starry, the other that is me being rooted and vulnerable, and wondering if all this is worth it, when I am watching or wandering on the beach, all by myself.

Watch ‘My Life Be Like’ here:

What and how has been your evolution as an artist?

Initially you are just seeking success, you just want your first big hit, and you want to start making money. After your first hit, you make a few more songs around the first hit and you keep doing that for a while. Beyond a point, you realise that your wealth is not just the money you are earning, it is also the stories that you are telling. I had to tell these stories and when I started doing that, there was deep sense of genuine happiness. My evolution has been from an artist who was creating what was commercially selling to creating what I want to genuinely talk about.

How did you decide to go independent?

Independent music came as a deep-down desire to tell stories which were not being thought viable, commercially, by many in the industry at that point of time. ‘Aam Jahe Munde’ is one classic example. It was rejected by everyone as it was a very simple song telling the story of a regular guy wanting to be successful in life. Today, this is one of the most successful songs from my catalogue. It was one of the most played songs on YouTube for two years. There is a song called ‘Ni Kudiye Tu’, a female motivation anthem, then there is a song called ‘The Hanuman Drill’, and more, which were only possible when I went independent. Having said that, collaboration with a label like T-Series comes with its own pros. This collaboration doesn’t limit my creative independence, so I can go from a 100% commercial song (which is My Life Be Like) to various other emotions that I want to talk about.

How did the collaboration with T-Series happen? And how did you narrow down on this song?

‘My Life Be Like’, in its essence, is about my lifestyle. We were in Dubai for a show and my team was shooting videos for my Instagram reel. While superimposing audio, this song was taken in the video edit. ‘My Life Be Like’ found its perfect synch with actual video edits from my life and my lifestyle. Simultaneously, T-Series approached, and I shared this audio as well as the video. They liked the song and the video; however, we reshot the video on a larger scale. This was a song which was lined up for an independent an, as luck would have it, my and T-Series roads crossed and here we are releasing this song together as a stroke of luck. From here on, we are planning for music together, working our way forward.

Your thoughts on collaboration in general, what makes it work?

When two artists collaborate, its not necessary that the collaboration will work well, purely basis the expectation of adding the individual followership to the collective work. A collaboration will work if you are ethically aligned, like it happened between me and Paradox. We have same work ethics, relentlessness, hard-working, authentic, and more. Once these basics match, the collaboration has a higher chance of success. What I am working on with T-Series is also like a collaboration. I bring forward my talent, T-Series brings in their demography and we work together to reach out to a wider audience. If your conversations are streamlined and clear, collaborations will work well, in all probability.

Watch ‘Check It Out’ here:

What makes an artist being liked by the audience?

Your core shouldn’t change, it has to remain authentic. In all my songs, regardless of genre, there is always a reference to gym, to working hard-relentlessness-hustle, etc. More than what you are wearing, hairstyle or driving, in the song, there are ethics that you have grown up with. If you stay authentic to those ethics, the audience is smart enough to appreciate your honesty. If you have noticed, the videos of the last 6-7 songs that I have made, finish at my village. This is because my real friends are in my village. If your onscreen self is closer to the offscreen self, then your audience will like you for being yourself.

When did you understand the commerce of the industry?

I come from a very humble background; my parents (both) are professors. I never had financial literacy, growing up, that might be needed in the practical world. But I was conscious of the fact that financial discipline is important. I never had a very big ambition monetarily; I was looking to have a reasonable life. I started understanding commerce of our business during COVID, when the shows dried up completely and I had time to reflect. During the COVID lockdown, we started experimenting and working further on our craft. During those two years we came out with newer scripts & songs. After a few ‘commercially non-successful’ songs, came songs like Rubicon Drill, Aam Jahe Munde. It was during this time that we understood how the commerce of the industry actually works, having lived through it via independent releases.

What are your plans with T-Series?

I am transitioning towards an international sound but keeping the authentic Punjabi essence intact. With T-Series, I will be able to reach out to a wider audience.

What kind of Brand does Parmish Verma represent? And what would you tell the emerging artists who are looking to create a Brand of their own?

I see myself as common man who is pursuing hard to make his dreams come true. People look themselves in me, and I can say this with my own lived experiences. My brand is about making it happen through hard work, relentlessness, perseverance. To all young artists, lead by example, be authentic and never say ‘this is it’. You should always strive for further growth and evolution. Don’t be scared to take risks, be willing to accept failures like you are willing to accept successes, else there will be untold stories that you would regret having not shared with people.

How would you like to describe the T-Series Team in one sentence?

In one sentence, they are available at 2:00 am and that’s the best part of them! That’s what I would like to say, and it speaks a lot about their work ethics and commitment to the artist.

Well, the song as well as the video tell a story that is hard to resist. While we look forward to his next release, here is a BIG UP to Parmish for his perpetual desire for growth, evolution, hard work, perseverance and staying rooted!

Credits:

Editor: Vishwa Deepak Dikshit

Photography: Beej Lakhani

Styling: Medha Bahuguna