The Artiste featuring musician Vicky Kayce – Episode 1
What is it like to struggle in a world full of independent musicians trying to make a mark? How do you get your music out into the world when you have no ‘godfather’ in the industry, no big label backing you?
Vicky Kayce revealed exactly what that feels like in a tete-a-tete with us. He has been on the performing circuit for a few years now and understands how the business works. “I started doing gigs about five years back. Back then, I was doing maybe one paid gig in two to three months,” he says. So how many does he do now? “In the past one month, I did about 10 gigs.” One would think that’s a pretty huge jump. But for him, the struggle is still on.
“Thankfully, I had friends to support me, and who are still helping me a lot. I did not have to struggle like many others who do not know anyone in the industry.”
Vicky recalls how he first started singing. When he was in the 7th grade, his best friend got called up by the teacher to sing in front of everyone. That’s when he thought, “If he can do it, I can definitely do it too!” And that is when he started singing.
His art
Over years of practice and learning under different gurus, Vicky has now found his voice. On being asked what kind of music he most enjoys creating and performing, he tells us that he likes soulful and meaningful music. And that is how his own works in progress are.
The audience
He admits that because he performs at various types of places, he often has to cater to the audience. In fact, he has many funny anecdotes to share. “Once, I was performing with my band in Udaipur at a mehendi function. And our song list had ‘Lag ja gale’. In the middle of the song, one aunty came up to our guitarist and said, ‘What kind of song is this to play at a party?’ Poor guy, he got stunned and stopped playing!”
Reality shows
Many aspiring musicians decide to try their talent in reality shows as well. And Vicky did too. In fact, he even won a reality singing show in Nepal while he was staying there for two years. But he does not believe that reality shows boost one’s career. “One learns how to sing in front of an audience and face the cameras. That helps develop confidence as a performer. But it isn’t like you get flooded with work after doing a reality show.”
Vicky decided to try his luck in the glitzy Mumbai entertainment industry like many others. He considers the months spent there among the lowest points in his life. But his time in Mumbai inspired him to create some beautiful music before he decided to come back to Delhi.
To know more about Vicky’s experiences, determination, and hard work, watch the entire video here.
