Mink’s got the groove

Multi-talented, that’s exactly how one can describe Saba Azad aka Mink, who has been in the electro-music scene in India for about five years now. The artist does not just do music but is also an actress and theatre director. She is part of a Mumbai-based electro funk duo Madboy/Mink. While her music career has taken off on the right footing, she is also known for her leading role in the romantic comedy film Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge.

Saba shares her journey in the music industry, “It has been the most enjoyable experience I’ve had and I've received a lot of love from audiences all around the country. Recently, I was doing a count and I discovered that I and my music partner have played in about 25 or more cities and towns across the country. People are open to listening to all kinds of styles of music and though the mainstream still has the most resources, listeners will listen to all sorts of stuff, and no style has a complete monopoly.”

While electro music might be all about the beats and not much about the lyrics, Saba says, “I always aspire to write passionate music. We’re always trying to find an unusual combination of electronic and organic. We want to make the listener dance and think at the same time. We try to intoxicate our listeners.”

Even though the electro music industry has changed, being still quite young, she says commenting on it would not be just. But adds to that, “Listeners are definitely more open to being swept away by an unfamiliar style of music. People obviously respond to music on a gut level, and that’s why listeners are a lot more open minded now. I would definitely love to see a way in which streaming can be channelised so that the artists get a larger share.”

Her dream as she describes in the future is to be able to reach out to listeners around the world, and play shows for them regularly. “Physical boundaries are not as much of a consideration anymore, and people the world over are curious about music from around the world, without it having to fall into the conventional and obvious descriptions of ‘exotic’ or ‘world music’. On days when she needs a breather, the Mumbai lass loves acting and directing feature films as well.

It seems like Saba and her duo partner Madboy have a lot in the coming weeks and months thereafter. As they are about to release their new EP titled P.E.S.F: Persons Elastic Superior Fantastic next week. “We’re playing a set of dates across the country, starting at The Quarter in Mumbai on June 9,” she concludes.