NC: I would say that im a british asian exploring sounds that have been around me my whole life - from indian devotional to bollywood to electronica to hip hop to even pop. It just seems like a very natural thing to me - to bring together my influences - as eclectic as they are being British and Asian in order to project my identity within my music.

QV: One thing people mention when they hear your name is that your musical work is very cinematic in its strongly emotive effect. Does visualization play a part in composition for you?

NC: I find that visualizing a scene or image helps the creative process greatly - When composing i place myself in a mind space where i can trully feel the emotion that im trying to portray through the music. I believe that (for me) music is an emotive process more so than an intellectual one.

QV: Tell me about the Stratford theatre production you organised of Baiju Bawra last year; what did the project entail and how was it compared to just working with audio?

NC: The baiju bawra project was an awesome experience as it involved bringing together people from so many different arenas - including dancers, singers and actors as well as technical people. It was different from studio work as there was more interaction between people involved in the project. Often in studio based projects im simply left to my own devices.

QV: As a musician, the story of Baiju Bawra must have been quite compelling for you - with the protagonist using music to avenge his father's death. What elements did you pick up on from the story to use in your re-score? Are there lessons you take from the story to use in everyday life/production as well?

NC: Thats a great question - for me the inspiring part of the story is how a common man defeats an educated/trained man with populist music. I feel music should never be elitist and ultimatly great music -no matter how 'academic' will always prevail.

QV: Of late, Sean Dinsmore's DumDum Project has picked up a great deal of momentum. Tell me about producing with DumDum and the sound you are developing with that project.

NC: Me and Sean are having a lot of fun producing the next dum dum record - its sounding awesome. Its always really inspiring going into the studio with him as we bring such different things to the table and most importantly we have a lot of fun doing it. The dum dum sound on this album is probably gonna be hip hop led with a tinge of reggae and of course the DOPEST indian elements. Its all about great samples and wicked hooks.

QV: I hear you're one to be spotted in outfits by Diesel of late?!

NC: I was cleared of those charges :P

QV: And then there's work with Mark Hill's studio, Outcaste and your solo album!

NC: Working with Mark has been great - Hes a trully great musician and ive learnt alot from him. Outcaste too was a great period for me - they are an inspiring group of people there. Regarding my solo album - Its happening its half done and im looking to have something together by march/april 2004 - so watch this space.

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