Name: Armaan Malik
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, producer, actor
Current release: Armaan Malik's new single "Sleepless Nights" is out via Always Music.
Recommendations: The Creative Act: A Way Of Being (Rick Rubin book); The Flower Garden (Joe Hisaishi OST)

If you enjoyed this Armaan Malik interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit his official homepage. He is also on Instagram, Facebook, and twitter.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?

I listen to music with my eyes closed and instead of shapes, objects and colours I tend to see people, places and food.

I believe every song embodies a feeling related to someone, someplace or some particular food.

What were your very first steps in music like and how would you rate the gains made through experience - can one train/learn being an artist?

When I was 3 or 4 years old, my parents recognised that I had some musical talent and they immediately put me into music lessons. It’s unreal how fast I started to learn music and singing. By the age of 7, I had already made up my mind that I wanted to be a singer and take up music as a full-time career.

My professional journey began when I was 8. I started singing for advertisement jingles, sync stuff and doing voice acting for animated and feature films. That’s how it all started for me.

I think I learned and grasped most of my technical know-how on the job so I would recommend all upcoming musicians to gain as much experience as they can by assisting someone or just being part of other artists’ sessions.

According to scientific studies, we make our deepest and most incisive musical experiences between the ages of 13-16. What did music mean to you at that age and what’s changed since then?

I believe that the musician I am today is all because of the music and artists I listened to between the ages of 13-16. At that age I discovered how music was so diverse and global in nature.

I listened to artists ranging from John Mayer to Blue Stahli, Metallica to Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé to Justin Bieber. It was such a wild time for me!

Music for me at that age signified an unknown new world where I was an alien trying to discover as many new things as possible.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and what motivates you to create?

I like writing music that relates to people and their lives. I pay close attention to relationships, friendships and general energy around me. The people I hang out with tend to be my inspiration to tell real stories through my music.

The ability to move someone with my voice and my music is what really motivates me to create.

To quote a question by the great Bruce Duffie: When you come up with a musical idea, have you created the idea or have you discovered the idea?

I believe we create nothing. We are mere collectors and stitchers of ideas floating in the infinite universe.

Music is an art form that has its own angelic realm that feeds us with ideas. It’s how we catch it and interpret it that makes all the difference.

Paul Simon said “the way that I listen to my own records is not for the chords or the lyrics - my first impression is of the overall sound.” What's your own take on that and how would you define your personal sound?

I don’t have a fixed sound. I’ve never really wanted to box myself up and restrict myself to a particular genre or sonic universe.

I love experimenting and trying new ways to arrive at a feeling that I am feeling at a given moment. That’s what keeps things fresh and interesting for me.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? And how far would you describe them as “musical”?

Oh interesting question! I feel like the animal kingdom and nature in general are extremely musical. There are many bird species that have mating / emergency calls that are so melodious and synchronised, that it’s hard to believe they aren’t actual human musicians.

On many occasions I’ve recorded certain natural sounds made by animals which I then tweak back in the studio. Our planet is deeply connected to and rooted in music.

From very deep/high/loud/quiet sounds to very long/short/simple/complex compositions - are there extremes in music you feel drawn to and what response do they elicit?

I believe a good song always requires some kind of dynamics. It helps the listener connect with a song in an immersive manner.

These extremes of deep, high, low, loud sounds etc also help to further elevate the storytelling. It gives meaning to the in-between feelings. Sometimes pauses or abrupt stops add so much colour and vibe to a certain track.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of one of your pieces, live performances or albums that's particularly dear to you, please?

My creative process whilst making a song is very methodical yet authentic. I like things to flow freely but also in a pre-determined direction or according to a theme.

I don’t think any creative process can ever be mechanical. For me it’s always what’s my frame of mind and the mood of the project that I am building.

Do you conduct “experiments” or make use of scientific insights when you're making music?

I’ve never done such a thing in my life. Keen to try something though, do send me some cool ideas!

How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?

Music is a very powerful tool. Sometimes a good song can take your head and heart of a troubling situation and bring you the much needed calm and stillness.

The human body reacts to music as if it were a natural occurring pain-relief medicine.

Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Ah, this is an interesting one. If we go by this analogy, coffees can be prepared uniquely for different consumers. For instance, some may prefer instant coffee, others may opt for a french press, and a few might desire an extravagant combination of obscure ingredients. Each of these variations will offer a distinct taste to different people. Ultimately, it's still caffeine that is being consumed, but in diverse ways.

Similarly, the same song can evoke cherished memories with one's significant other for some, while serving as a party banger for others.

Moreover, I strongly believe in expressing myself through art, where seemingly 'mundane' tasks fail to articulate a specific feeling. The exact nature of these feelings will always remain a secret, haha!

Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a way that you can't explain?

Yes! We all have that one song that makes us feel all our feelings.

For me that is an instrumental track ‘First Morning’ by Kurt Bestor.



It touches my soul and heals me inside out.

If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?

I would definitely want Indian music to be recognised on a Global level.

We need better and stronger legislation in favour of artists in India. Including a transparent royalties system that helps incentivise young musicians to put out more new music.