Exclusive 'Zeus' Interview
SimplyBhangra.com finally managed to track down one of the biggest stars in Bhangra to bring to you this Exclusive interview from one of the biggest producers around, Zeus!
So Zeus…were the hell have you been all this time?
I’ve been working and just touring around the world.
Your new album is currently out now titled ‘Back Unda Da Influence’ tell us a little about it and what can we expect from it.
Well this is my personal album after 3 years. It incorporates a bit of everything. Everything I have experience in clubs from meeting people outside to all over the world. There is something for people into Hindi, Hiphop and Desi. T
here isn’t one crap song on there really.
You’ve always been one to push through new artists, it’s interesting to see that you have not used any known vocalists on this album, was this conscious effort to differentiate yourself from the rest of the industry.
Not really, its something I get a kick out of doing. I get more of a kick making a name than working with a name. I’m not trying to be different just trying to do my thang.
The album features a new vocalist called $harmilla, how did you manage to come across him?
Through my spiritual connection.
After the whole folk attack/original edit fiasco are you now more wary of whom you work with?
Yeah I’m definitely more wary. Some people I work with were all about money. Now I work with people who are all about music.
This album has been a long time coming for you, from the process of getting the vocals together and mastering the album how long did the complete album take?
9 months. It took the same care and time that would be taken over a baby. 
Since the release of Unda Da Influence back in 2003 your international fame has grown immensely, is there a chance that Zeus will go completely Bollywood? Or produce for movie soundtracks?
I won’t go completely Bollyood, but it is already happening. We are already working on movie soundtracks. I’ll still be doing my own style it won’t be completely Bollywood it will have a Zeus edge.
How do you feel you have grown as a producer since releasing Unda Da Influence, As your previous albums pre-2003 featured heavy sampling do you think this is now a thing of the past and Bhangra producers need to create new innovative music?
Yes definitely is a thing of the past. The only reason I did it was to fit in with what was selling and blasting in the clubs. Its just part of growing and understanding the industry and changing how things are moving. You have to move as well.
Is there anything that you’ve listened to this year from the Bhangra industry and thought ‘wow this is good music’?
My home boy’s coming thru bubble and kru, watch this space.
Considering how well the ‘Original Edit’ did without any real backing through a video, do you think good quality music is able to promote itself without the need of videos playing constantly on zee or b4u?
Definitely, good music don’t necessarily need visual. Before video how were albums selling 50 thousand? Good music is always going to sell. There would have been a video for original edit, but with the budget for the lighting and makeup it was too much.
English it would be rappers, snoop, The game & 50 cent. The Indian side, Sukhwinder Singh, Lata & Asha ji because those people are really highly respected for there musical talent.
The song ‘Sas ri akal’ has been doing the rounds on radio for a few weeks now, the lyrics to the song are very interesting and refreshing, do you make a conscious effort in picking lyrics that are not featured on every other Bhangra song?
Definitely that’s what makes me different. I pick and choose lyrics and change melodies.
What are your plans for the future and will we be kept waiting another 4 years for another Zeus album?
Yeah Dre keeps you waiting 7 years so three years is nothing. It’s enough time to launch other people and launch unknowns, in 3 years launch 1or 2 people guaranteed.
Any final words for the readers of SimplyBhangra.com?
Keep it safe and keep it simple
A big thanks to Zeus for taking time out and conducting this Interview! And Congratulations to him and his wife on the birth of their new born baby.
The brand new album by Zeus is out NOW titled 'Back Unda Da Influence'
Click Here For The Album Review
