As the sole judge of MTV India’s Next Big Thing, Luke Kenny’s job has been demanding.
A month ago, 83 South Asian acts from around the UAE auditioned and 13 were shortlisted. Every Saturday, they performed at the Music Room in front of Kenny. The winner will get studio time in India and a music video aired across all MTV platforms.
“I’ve been absolutely pleasantly surprised by the level of competency that has been displayed by all the musicians. People have been enthusiastic and courageous,” Kenny said. He will perform on Wednesday night, during the show’s grand finale.
His history in the music industry goes back to the mid-90s, when he was the first Indian man to become a VJ on Channel V. (A VJ, also known as a video jockey, is the announcer who introduces music videos on TV.) A few years later, he became head of music programming and artist relations, a position he held for 10 years.
Kenny has been known as a rock star in his own right, and played a fictional one in Bollywood’s Rock On!! (2008). Lately, he’s focusing more on being behind the camera. He told tabloid! what he’s been working on and why he might be in the upcoming Rock On!! 2, despite the death of his character.
Today you’re a competition judge. Do you remember a time when you had to prove yourself, too?
When I was in college, I went through to the finals in a dance competition and I was told one of the judges was a big-time Bollywood choreographer. I thought my performance has to be above and beyond. At the same time, you can’t let the pressure get to you — you’re doing what you’re doing because you enjoy it. That has to come through when you perform. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and danced like nobody was watching.
A sequel to Rock On!! is being made. Will you be in it, despite the death of your character?
There’s talk of me popping in [for] a couple of scenes. Maybe a flashback kind of thing. It’s still a while away, it won’t be out until next year, maybe mid-next year.
Is the sequel going to move the story forward?
Every three years, there’s kids who turn 13, 14, 15. That’s the age when they begin to explore the entertainment world and their music preferences. Largely, they choose music as a profession and vocation at that time, as well. The second story will represent that. New characters will be introduced; it will not just be another story of the three surviving guys.
Who are your three favourite contemporary music acts?
The band Tame Impala, they have a new album out. Tycho, he’s an electronica artist — very dubstep, glitch pop. I like Adele as a songwriter — her visual persona doesn’t appeal to me in some way or the other — but I like the music.
Guilty pleasure music?
I’m partial to the Europop of the 90s, stuff like 2 Unlimited and Ace of Base, because that’s the time that I was in college, I was a DJ, and I used to play that stuff. Early New Age stuff of the ’80s — the cheesy stuff, like Funkytown [by Lipps Inc.].
What’s next for you?
I’m developing a music film [in the scripting stages], which is going to showcase what it is to be a woman in the music industry. The journey of a male in the music industry is different to the journey of a female in the industry. The story that I’m working on takes a look at four singers who come from various parts of India, who have a certain global exposure — and some don’t. It’s a juxtaposition of those worlds.
Don’t miss it
Luke Kenny’s December 2 performance at the Music Room is free of charge. Event begins at 9pm. 21+. The final 13 contestants include bands Rooh, Steel, Rajiv & Johan, Sur Aikhtalaf, Raag Addiction, Dhruv, Mohsin & Shahid and solo artists include Mohammad Zeeshan, Irawati Mulmule, Ricky George, Ranjini Hannah, Vaibhav Saxena, Morries Mana.
