Photos: Pritiza Barua
Saar Punch, aka Saransh Batra, has released a new album based on his life experiences. Being true and vulnerable to his music is one of his strengths. He says, “Not a single paraphrase in this album is a lie.” Taking inspiration from his idols like Kanye West, Mac Miller, ASAP Rocky, he has learnt the art of musical and cinematic storytelling, seeped in his real encounters. This seven-track project, Oopar Neeche, serves as a reminder to keep moving forward despite the inevitable turbulence in life. It talks about sensitive topics of anxiety, depression, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and the journey of coming out stronger. He has tapped into very unique zones, both sonically and lyrically, to reflect these extremities.
We’re in conversation with the musician about his work and more.
Tell us about yourself and what led you towards music?
I am a rapper/songwriter from New Delhi, India. I have always been surrounded by music, courtesy my Naana ji (maternal grandfather) and my sister, who had trained in Kathak for ten years while I was growing up. I started singing at the age of nine in my school choir. Since then, I have been involved in sports and theatre, but I always found my way back to music. I penned my first song while brainstorming with my theatre society in college — a rap jingle. The jingle didn’t make it to the play, but I fell in love with the process, and didn’t stop writing after that.
Take us through some of your biggest musical influences.
I am a huge fan of Mac Miller, Asap Rocky, Frank Ocean, and the legendary Kanye West. In India I really admire Amit Trivedi and Divine for the body of work they have put out so far. It’s stellar.
What were your initial thoughts for Oopar Neeche, and were you able to fulfill the vision you had for it?
Initially, I had not planned for it to be a long project. I was writing and talking about everything that has impacted my life, be it falling in love, heartbreaks, anxiety, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. This project sums up the ‘ups and downs’ I have seen in the last three years, and the fact that I wrote it during the pandemic, intensifies all the emotions.
I believe I did not approach Oopar Neeche with this preconceived notion of making it an EP/album. I was dealing with it ‘one song at a time’, and it shaped itself effortlessly. Which is also why the transition from one track to another is quite effortless and smooth. The vision was to create a smooth yet intense, and I think I was able to fulfill it quite well.
Take us through your creative process.
During lockdown, when everything suddenly went haywire, making music was the only thing that kept me sane. I wanted to talk about everything that has impacted/shaped me, be it falling in love, heartbreaks, toxic coping mechanisms. I believe while I was writing Oopar Neeche, I got certain closures in life, and as I was inching towards its end, I came to terms with myself and finally found the peace within. Which is why I wrote khudbakhud, a song about accepting yourself and being at peace. I also wanted to keep the album somewhat cinematic through different elements like sonics, effects and skits, which help listeners to transcend from music and draws visuals in their head. All the songs shaped up very effortlessly and organically, and the album feels like a smooth roller coaster ride.
Finally, what's keeping you busy right now?
Right now, I am collaborating with musicians from different genres as I don’t want to stay limited to just hip-hop, I want to expand and explore. I just finished a track called cold fire, which is a collaboration between four artists from completely different musical backgrounds. It's releasing with a music video in a month. Also, after Oopar Neeche, my focus is on performing live across India — that has always been a dream. The response the live act got at JLN stadium was beautiful yet humbling. I am planning a few more shows in Delhi and other cities in the coming months, really psyched about that.
Date 04-10-2022