Known as the one-half of India’s pioneering pop act 'Colonial Cousins', Lesle Lewis the multi faceted artist has come a long way. From his first gig when he was 19 years old, playing for a local ‘dada’ in Mahim and earning a princely sum of Rs 30, Lewis has gone to producing music and jingles, promoting artists, making albums and earning lakhs for his shows.

In a quick tete-a-tete with Radioandmusic.com Lewis talks about his Christmas wish and his plan for 2013.

Excerpts:

What are you plans for Christmas?

I have a booking for a show in Kolkata. Actually there could be two shows in one night. So I am trying to work out the deal between two hotels.

How are you preparing yourself and how is the Kolkata audience?

I will be performing with a 6-7 piece band complete with bass, drums and percussion. We will be playing a mix of the old songs and new material. The old songs - originals like ‘Pari Hu Main’ 'Jaanam Samjha Karo' and Bollywood classics- will be reworked to give a different version. The Kolkata audience is very musical- they know their stuff- you can’t fool them. Music is an important part of their lifestyle and they are appreciative of good music.

Now that Christmas is near and also the New Year, any wishes?

I don’t see myself as belonging to any particular community, but for 2013 I would like to reinvent myself from what I use to do and re-present myself to my audience. I am known as the ‘guitar player’ of Colonial Cousins, as a jingle maker, I have a band, been involved in Coke Studio. I have promoted a number of artists also. Now I want to present myself as Leslie Lewis ‘The Singer’.

How unifying is music in cutting across cultures and generation?

I had a recent concert in a college at Bengaluru. It was an ‘English’ college and I had a one-hour slot. I played only Hindi songs with just an acoustic guitar and the audience loved it. The show went on for two hours.

You have come a long way from your first gig at Mahim. As an established artist, you must be making enough for your talent.

We charge lakhs for one show but it’s not about the money (or price). You can’t slot a Fiat car in the same category as a Mercedez Benz. 

What are your plans for 2013?

We (with Hariharan) will be touring and promoting the new Colonial Cousins album- ‘Once More’. I want to go back to what I was doing when I was 18, making music. I will still be producing for other artists- I am showcasing a talented 19 year old artist. But making music and playing, I can do that till I am 80 years old.