The artiste discusses the visual aspect of his latest music video by label KYN Records, his venture into acting, and his creative ambitions.
'Poi' marks Kaber's foray into direction and acting. (Supplied)
If you’re a fan of Tamil Indie music, the name Kaber Vasuki is impossible to overlook. With tracks like Nee Vekkam Kori, Rockstar, and Vasanam, among other soulful songs, Kaber has, over the years, effortlessly claimed a permanent spot in the playlists of Tamil Indie music enthusiasts.
Now, this talented musician is back with a fresh track, Poi. South First got an early glimpse of the unreleased video.
In a freewheeling chat, Kaber shares insights into his creative process, and collaborations, and takes a moment to reflect on whether he has achieved his dream of becoming a rockstar, a pursuit that brought him to Chennai to kickstart his music career.
Q. Poi, has a strong visual and narrative component. Could you walk us through the creative process behind the track and the video?
A. The story emerged from my attempt to visualise an image for each lyric of the song. The energetic beat demanded an equally energetic visual storytelling.
The song itself sets the tone and structure for the plot. Once the plot was established, it provided us with a direction, and as each collaborator joined the project, we improvised on location.
Musician Kaber Vasuki. (Supplied)
Different elements were introduced and removed, and even during the editing and visual effects phase, we reconsidered some elements and added layers.
It was a highly collaborative effort, and everything was focused on serving the central purpose of the story, avoiding any dull moments and keeping the viewers engaged.
Q. In a recent social media post, you mentioned that the song explores how certain life events can transform a person, like a ‘puyal’ (storm). Is there a specific incident in your life that you often reflect on and draw inspiration from?
A. I haven’t experienced specific incidents, but certain relationships have been akin to ‘puyals’ in my life. These experiences have led me to address my issues, heal, and grow. I now view these experiences in a positive light.
The singer-songwriter has led the way in Tamil Indian music for over ten years. (Supplied)
Q. Intriguing imageries have been part of your earlier songs too like Rocket. What motivated you to introduce a sci-fi narrative into Poi, a genre known for exploring intricate and futuristic themes?
A. I’ve always had a fondness for sci-fi, and it felt like a natural fit. I also appreciate fantasy. I enjoy escaping from reality when creating a music video, and I hope the viewers come along for the journey.
Q. Could you share some insights into the visual elements used in Poi?
A. The setting in and around Toronto played a significant role in shaping the visuals.
Nirmal Gylson, our director of photography and editor, deserves a lot of credit for capturing some fantastic angles despite having to shoot on the go most of the time.
Our art director Sapna did a fabulous job with props and some costumes.
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We also used VFX by Sathish and Kishore to enhance certain elements in the video.
Gayathri contributed brilliantly with makeup and costumes, while Franklin’s colour grading set the mood.
Vishnu’s photography and drone shots added scale to the visuals.
Each collaborator brought their unique touch to bring the visuals to life.
Q. As both a musician and a storyteller, what challenges and opportunities did you encounter when merging music with the genre?
A. The track Poi is a high-energy one, and I felt it had a cinematic quality to it.
This naturally led me to create a narrative music video. The challenge lay in finding concepts and images that worked seamlessly with the lyrics and the energy of the track.
Q. Your song lyrics are known for their depth and philosophical themes. Could you elaborate on the ideas and themes explored in Poi?
A. Poi is about recovering from toxic relationships. The lyrics are relatable because we’ve all had to recover from toxicity in our lives.
It delves into the different stages and thoughts we go through to heal and renew ourselves. That’s essentially what it’s about.
Q. This may have been your inaugural foray into full-fledged acting for a music video. Can you describe the experience?
A. It was a lot of fun. I had a great crew that provided tremendous support.
I discovered some things about myself during the shooting process, which was very exciting, and I can’t wait to do it again.
Q. In the music video, you portray an insomniac. Can you relate to such sleepless nights personally?
A. I am the opposite of an insomniac. Even when I stay up working at night, I catch up on my sleep later. I love sleeping, and I fall asleep instantly!
Q. Can you provide some insights into working with other creators to bring the song to life?
A. On this track, after I had set the song and structure, Atiium handled the heavy lifting in music production. He played a crucial role in crafting a banger out of the track.
Anjana Rajagopalan brought magic with her vocal arrangements and singing.
Sahib Singh excelled on the guitars, and Joe Preetam delivered a top-notch mix and master.
Q. Your musical journey has been characterised by creative experimentation. How does Poi represent your evolving style and approach to music?
A. It’s the first time I’ve written and directed my own video, which is a significant step for me.
It has given me the confidence to pursue more creative endeavours.
Q. You’ve written lyrics for a song track in Captain Miller and explored the world of game OSTs with Venba. Could you tell us more about these projects and your creative aspirations?
A. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with diverse creatives who have engaged me and given me opportunities to work on various projects.
I have tasted steel before I have the scars …..🔥🔥🔥 U will learn to fear my name and ur eyes will never see the same .. 🔥🔥
நீ தனியா வந்தா தல மட்டும் உருளும்🔥🔥
நீ படையா வந்தா சவ மழ குவியும் 🔥🔥
Killer killer captain millerrrrrrrrr …..
Audio preparations onway ……
— G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) September 23, 2023
I’m grateful for that and hope to continue working with a wide range of creatives across different artistic disciplines.
Q. Your time in Chennai this year seems to have been truly exhilarating. Looking back on the teen Kaber who moved to Chennai with dreams of becoming a rockstar, do you believe you’ve now fulfilled that dream?
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A. That’s a very insightful question. Yes, in some ways, I’ve fulfilled that dream, but there’s still much more to achieve.
Q. Do you see this as a significant win for indie music? Is there a message you’d like to convey to your fans?
A. I want to express my gratitude to KYN Carti of KYN Records for allowing me to write, direct, and act in the music video.
The existence of labels like KYN Records, dedicated to offbeat work, is indeed a big win for indie music.
I encourage everyone to watch the music video for Poi on KYN Records and have fun making memes!
The most significant poi (lie) you’ve heard or said: I’m not angry.
Current song on your playlist: ‘Puncher aana life’ by MC Valluvar.
The best piece of advice you’ve ever received: Trust the process.
Songwriting or performing live: Both.
Your favourite Tamizh word/phrase: ‘Aram Seiya virumbu’ (Intend to do good deed).
Any pre-show rituals: Soundcheck.
What’s the strangest place you’ve found inspiration for a song: In one of my older songs.
Catch the ‘Poi’ music video set to release on November 11 @kyn_records or YouTube. To follow Kaber’s music journey, visit Instagram @Kabervasuki
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