Leslee Lewis: Music then was a heartbeat, now it's just a checkbox
Composer-singer Leslee Lewis, best known as one half of the iconic duo Colonial Cousins (alongside Hariharan), offers a candid perspective on the evolving landscape of Hindi film music.
Leslee, who has composed for films like Rockford, Mela and Apna Asmaan, reflects on how music was once the heartbeat of storytelling in movies. He says, 'The soul of cinema used to dance to the tune of its music. Music and songs in our movies would always add value to the film in a special way. But today, the ones releasing these new-age songs are often not musicians at heart. They may enjoy music, but they don't necessarily possess the golden ear to recognise a classic when it's born.'
Leslee contrasts the risk-taking passion of yesteryear producers and directors with today's more commercial approach to filmmaking. He says, 'Earlier, producers and directors were deeply passionate. They would risk everything, take loans from open markets, just to give life to a song or a story.' This emotional investment, he shares, is what gave timeless songs their staying power. 'Music then was not a checkbox; it was a heartbeat.
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That's why songs from that era still echo in our lives. Today, most songs don't linger. In a world of instant releases, AI and algorithm-driven decisions will always need real minds and hearts. But like every revolution, AI too will reshape the music landscape. The trick is to stay grounded in your art and not let the tools redefine the artiste,' says Lewis, who is currently working on a six-song series. About his future plans, he shares, 'Phir Se Rock & Roll is my heart's new rhythm. Apart from that, the stage is calling me. I am into my new live concert series 'Leslee Lewis — The '90s Experience', which is a celebration of music that never left your soul.'
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