Q) Black Sapphire is a very interesting name. How did you decide on the name?
A) The name Black Sapphire comes from our favorite color black and our attraction to the positive vibes emanating from the sapphire stone. Before coming together as Black Sapphire band in 2021 we were independent artists. I and my sister Ancy were performing solo and duo acts for over a decade. Ancy, now, is the lead vocalist in our band. Black Sapphire essentially came together after the pandemic. This was because there was much demand for music bands for weddings. It was also time to get into the circuit because we had by then recorded four independent works.
Q) Can you tell us about your band members?
A) We are 6. Chico on the drums, Cyrus is our bassist, Cio Carvalho is our keyboardist, on the Synth he also does backing vocals, Brendon is our lead guitarist, Ancy is the lead vocalist and I’m the lead singer composer of the band.
Q) What are your topics and inspirations for the songs you write? Is it any social situation or drawn from personal experience that stimulates your creation process?
A) There are various factors that go into the making of a song. It could be a social experience or anything that ignites romance in most cases. Personal experience also plays a part in many of our creations. As far as the process of creation goes it where is from artist to artist. What works for someone is for them to decipher. I mean, i may come up with nothing when I put in the effort by taking my guitar or the piano. I may get a melody phrase in my sleep, which I then voice record or make a note of. I think when you think of music all day the subconscious mind also is activated.
Q) You are credited for popularizing Konkani music. How did this come to happen? Is it your early influences or a much later phenomenon?
A) Music was always around in my childhood. Cassette players,CDs and VHS . Also , the fact that every house is brimming with music goes a long way in making music a part of the culture in Goa. Lorna, Chris Perry, Alfred Rose, among the local greats along with international artists like Brian Adam’s, MLTR ,UB45 were a part of my growing years . I started off writing music in English. But then Konkani is a beautiful language and it had obviously made its impact on my thinking.
Q) Tell us about your song Rosalina?
A) Our song Rosalina has certainly caught on everywhere. I started writing Rosalina in the UK in 2024, and it took me a year to complete. During our performance tour I realized that Goans settled in Britain truly miss Goa and are nostalgic about it. It was this element that inspired the making of Rosalina. It was the vintage goa they pine for that I wanted to evoke through the song
Q) What is your usual manner in selecting the songs for an audience?
A) A lot of it is dependent on the crowd we perform for. Broadly speaking, there are audience categories like Goan weddings which call for a different local flavor. There are corporate events, destination weddings, that we perform for. Such audiences call for a mix of western and Bollywood music. When it comes to events like music festivals, we are more than happy to unleash our original creations.
Q) It would be interesting to know how you balance your acts. Can you tell us about your repertoire?
A) We are adept at several languages and have a mix of Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Portuguese, Spanish and also a sprinkling of Italian melodies in our bouquet. Often for our Hindi songs, we collaborate with performers from Bollywood. We try to cater to a wider audience on a regular basis. Because that is from where we garner our funds and produce the music recordings we want. Regular performances help us sustain and invest in the music recordings we want to be known for.
Q) Do you see yourself more as a live band or is the studio also equally critical in your vision?
A) The studio is the place where we create the magic. The stage is where the magic is unveiled, but it is the studio that makes it happen. As a creator it is my dream to go beyond singing covers and create my own music. I want to put to positive use the support we continue to receive from our listeners.
Q) What about listening. How do you think it helps an artist grow?
A) Listening is a critical aspect of the artist life. We spend hours in the studio trying to arrive at the sound, we visualize. Listening to other artists’ helps you brought your horizons and give you new perspectives about the way you can approve your work. I think listening is a very important part of the artist musical journey.
Q) Which are the Indian bands or independent artists that have become a part of your musical growth?
A) As I grew up it was Remo Fernandez, Colonial Cousins, Indus Creed, that helped us pick nuances. Their whole act on the big stage was something that we absorbed. I also listen to the songs of lyricists like Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bhattaharya who produce evocative emotions in a most candid manner.
Q) What is the ideal you are chasing as a band especially when it comes to live performances?
A) The idea of having a full house for our shows where we will perform our creations is something very special. The size of the crowd comes later, but the very fact that do they have come for you makes it truly worth going for.
Q) How do you choose your repertoire?
A) If it is a private setting the band meets with the host to get an idea of the kind of audience and there is less of guess working. The same approach towards research for an event happens.We try and get a feel of the crowd and tailor our act accordingly. Shuffling does happen quite often, but it is always better to have a decent idea of what the crowd would expect.
Q) How has your sound evolved is it only the sound or also the melodic pattern that has undergone a metamorphosis?
A) I released our first Konkani love song into 2019. The basic melody and the chord progression that appeared in the song was basic. Presently, with the number of tracks; often more than hundred, obviously, there is a sea change in the way we sound today. As a band we’re always open to learning and imbibing everything new. It is a phase from which we get to learn a lot.
Q) How open are you to the office of composing film music?
A) Film music is something that I’ve already delved into and have won the state award for best lyricist and music composer for the Konkani film Crazy Mogee. Film music is obviously something that I would like to do more and more. I’m open to all kinds of opportunities and won’t close the door to any.
Q) What is your take on the independent music scene in India and its future?
A) This is a very good phase for independent artists. With Arijit, the top Bollywood artist also announcing his desire to get into independent music, there is a clear indicator of the way things are moving for independent artists.
Q) What would be your advice to the youngsters who want to set up a band like yours?
A) Putting up a band together calls for common likings as a team. Another thing is handling the egos of the musicians which can be quite a handful. Performing with a 5-piece band means in a way handling five fragile egos. Apart from this when it comes to the music, I think every band member should know that practice may not make you perfect, but can take you closer to perfection. This is something I have come to discover over the years.
Q) As a band what are you new offering in the coming year?
A) After the release of Rosalina, we are out to record the complete Konkani album. We have titled it “Local Goan” and it will feature around 8 songs. They’d be released as singles because that offers better traction. Most of these would be fun melodies out of which around 2-3 will be dedicated to Goa.
Vibhav Rao