Sharni (Time Productions) joins Raj Kaul for his first ever interview on The Pursuit of Musical Excellence.
In this powerful conversation, Sharni opens up about his Handsworth roots, family influences, and the journey that shaped him into one of the UK Bhangra scene’s most respected producers. From learning dhol as a kid to recording with legends like DCS, Kanwar Grewal, Moneyspinner, and Tru-Skool, Sharni shares stories of Birmingham’s golden era, his studio philosophy, and why respect and preparation matter more than ever.
He also reflects on what musical excellence means to him today — balancing tradition, authenticity, and community with the modern realities of music.
Follow Sharni: @timeproductionsmusic
Follow Raj: @rajkaulofficial
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with Chirag Rao – a UK-based Bollywood and jazz singer with a remarkable journey. From growing up between London and Nashville to training under legendary maestros in Mumbai, Chirag shares how his unique upbringing shaped his artistry.
The conversation dives into:
His family’s musical legacy and early influences 🎶
Training in Mumbai with renowned gurus and the challenges of Indian classical learning 🇮🇳
The evolution of Bollywood music from Rafi and Kishore Kumar to Arijit Singh 🎤
Fusing Bollywood and Jazz in his "Bollywood Brat Pack" project 🎷
Insights on practice, discipline, and the true meaning of musical excellence
If you love Bollywood classics, Indian classical music, jazz fusion, or inspiring artist journeys, this episode is packed with wisdom, nostalgia, and performance insights.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with world-class musicians and creators.
Apache Indian joins The Raj Kaul Podcast for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about his journey from Handsworth, Birmingham to becoming a global music icon.
We dive into:
His early influences from reggae, Punjabi, and multicultural Handsworth.
The story behind Move Over India, Chok There, and Boom Shack-A-Lak.
Touring the world, seven UK Top 40 hits, and Hollywood placements.
Hard truths about the Asian music industry, radio gatekeeping, and award show politics.
His vision for unity, a Handsworth “Coke Studio,” and giving back to the next generation.
🎧 Whether you know him from reggae dancehalls, Bollywood soundtracks, or Hollywood movies, this is Apache Indian like you’ve never heard before.
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with legendary artists.
🔗 Follow Apache Indian: @ApacheIndianHQ
🔗 Follow Raj Kaul: @RajKaulOfficial
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with multi-instrumentalist, producer, and mentor Luke Victor to unpack a truly unique musical journey. From classical piano at age 6 (with no TV in the house!) to punk bands, DJing in London, and launching a full-time studio in Leicestershire, Luke’s story is one of raw passion, deep faith, and relentless pursuit of musical excellence.
Discover how Luke's experience in bands pushed him into production, why he walked away from the DJ scene, and how his faith transformed his approach to music and life. This conversation is filled with golden insights on consistency, collaboration, worship, and finding purpose through creativity.
🎧 Topics Covered:
Why no TV launched his piano career
Playing punk gigs at age 14
Crashing into London’s indie scene
The reality of band politics and breakups
Building a homegrown studio from scratch
Why serving God redefined his music
Luke’s neoclassical piano releases & future projects
🎹 Artist Page: @lukevictormusic
💬 Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes about the pursuit of musical excellence.
In this must-listen episode, Raj Kaul speaks with the brilliant Jason Bavanandan—UK songwriter, producer, and mentor who's worked with global icons like Calvin Harris, Diana Ross, and Noel Gallagher.
Jason opens up about:
Getting a 6-figure record deal within 6 months
Building a band from scratch with zero contacts
Why perfectionism kills music careers
How he accidentally became a top-tier songwriting mentor
The rise of AI in music and what it means for artists
Why GarageBand is more powerful than most think
They also get real about hustle culture, fatherhood, and why most artists are distracted by the wrong things.
🔊 Whether you're an artist, producer, or music lover—this is a raw, deep-dive conversation you won’t forget.
📌 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow Jason: @bavanandan
🎤 Follow Raj: @rajkaulofficial
In this powerful episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with singer, composer, and producer Sanj V, whose voice has graced major Bollywood films like Sultan, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, and more. From humble beginnings in Punjab to training under legendary music director Jaidev Kumar, Sanj V shares:**
His early musical journey and family legacy
Struggles breaking into Mumbai’s music scene
Recording iconic tracks like "Aj Jani Dil Nahi Lagda" and "Doli Wich Tu Aayi"
Behind-the-scenes stories with singers like Javed Ali, Kavita Krishnamurti, Alka Yagnik, and more
Lessons from 10+ years of grind, rejection, and quiet success
💥 This is a must-listen for anyone chasing a music dream.
🎧 Subscribe for more inspiring artist journeys.
📱 Follow Sanj V on Instagram: @sanjvsinger
In EP35 of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with UK Bhangra keyboard legend Harry Matharu—a musician who’s played with Ashoka Group, XLNC, Safri Boys, and most recently, joined Diljit Dosanjh’s world tour.
🎹 From growing up in Handsworth surrounded by music to performing live with a 100-person tour crew, Harry reflects on:
His musical roots in the Ashoka Group
The golden era of UK Bhangra and the band explosion of the '90s
Why the live band scene declined—and how to revive it
What it's really like performing with Diljit Dosanjh in front of 20,000 fans
How today's live bands can compete with DJs using loops & technology
A call to the next generation to pick up real instruments
Whether you’re an old-school Bhangra fan, aspiring musician, or lover of Punjabi music, this episode is packed with real stories and hard-earned wisdom.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review to support the scene and help push live music forward.
In this episode of the Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with the legendary Punjabi artist Amrit Saab. They discuss his musical journey from Punjab to the UK, how he unexpectedly became a singer, and the story behind his famous albums like Mindro and Kabza.
Amrit reflects on the mentorship he received from the iconic Sabar Koti and shares insights into his lyric writing, including songs like Kangna. The episode also dives into industry challenges, personal integrity, and the role of family in sustaining his career.
It’s a powerful and deeply personal conversation full of rich stories from the world of Punjabi music.
On this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with electronic music producer and DJ Vizano, whose journey from investment banking to global music stages is as inspiring as it is unexpected. They explore how Vizano transitioned from DJing at weddings to producing genre-blending electronic music, the importance of structured learning, and why having a clear vision and goals is vital in today’s music industry.
Discover how Vizano fuses South Asian sounds, Afro house, and electronic elements to create a unique signature style—and how discipline, mentorship, and mindset have shaped his career.
🎶 A must-listen for producers, DJs, and artists serious about building a long-term, purpose-driven music career.
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj Kaul connects with rising Punjabi artist YoBoy Love — an independent voice emerging from Kapurthala, India, whose heartfelt lyrics and gritty sound are catching serious attention.
We dive into YoBoy’s journey from school stageperformances to crafting tracks in his bedroom, inspired by his family’s musical roots. His debut song "Yaad" sparked unexpected love, setting him on a path of continuous self-discovery and hustle.
Love talks candidly about:
He even performs a raw, emotional verse live — giving a glimpse of the depth behind his lyrics. With a growing Instagram fanbase and an upcoming UK show, YoBoy Love is a name to watch. Whether you’re into Punjabi music, indie vibes, or just love hearing how real artists break through the noise, this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
📱 Follow @YoBoy_Love and @RajKaulOfficial for more updates.
In this vibrant Punjabi episode of the Raj Kaul Podcast, we welcome the soulful and incredibly talented Sharmila to the mic. Switching from English to Punjabi, this episode is packed with raw vocals, heartfelt conversations, and cultural humour that celebrates Punjabi identity and musical heritage.
🎤 Sharmila opens up about his musical journey, drops some vocals live on the mic, and shares his thoughts on music, life in the UK, and the love for his roots. From spontaneous shayari to rich traditional singing, this episode is a tribute to Punjabi virsa (heritage).
💬 Topics include:
Sharmila's early inspirations
Singing live with raw desi energy
Thoughts on Punjabi language, culture & faith
Raj’s reflections and closing messages
✨ Whether you're Punjabi or just love good music and real talk, this one's for you.
🔁 Don’t forget to leave a review, follow the podcast, and tag us when you share on Instagram or TikTok!
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, British Indian alt-rock artist Maya Lakhani joins Raj Kaul to discuss her journey in the music industry. From fronting school rock bands to becoming a self-taught solo artist, Maya shares how she embraced her passion for rock music and built her career independently. She reflects on her experience performing at Glastonbury, the challenges of self-producing music, and the importance of representation in the rock genre. Maya also offers valuable insights for aspiring musicians and talks about her upcoming projects.
Tune in to hear her story, her influences, and what’s next for her music!
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, host Raj Kaul sits down with the legendary DJ Swami, also known as Diamond Duggal, a pioneering producer, musician, and mentor in the music industry. Diamond shares his journey from growing up in Handsworth, Birmingham, to producing Apache Indian’s early hits, touring with Boyzone and Robbie Williams, and shaping the evolution of Punjabi and fusion music.
Throughout the conversation, he discusses the challenges of maintaining passion in the music industry, the importance of authenticity, and how blending cultures and sounds has been central to his work. He also explores the changing landscape of Punjabi music, the balance between tradition and innovation, and the significance of staying true to one’s artistic identity.
Packed with insights for aspiring artists and music lovers alike, this episode offers a deep dive into the mind of one of the industry's most influential figures.
Listen now and share your thoughts—should there be a Part 2?
In this special episode, Raj Kaul sits down with his wife and manager, Ruby Kaul, for an open and candid conversation about the highs and lows of building a music career. From the struggles of securing gigs and dealing with industry challenges to the story behind their track Saah, Raj and Ruby reflect on their journey together. They dive into the realities of being an independent artist, managing finances, and balancing family life with the demands of the music industry. Tune in for an insightful and entertaining discussion filled with personal anecdotes, industry insights, and a glimpse into what’s next for Raj’s music career.
In this inspiring episode, Raj Kaul sits down with the multi-talented Dipps Bhamrah, a musician, producer, and BBC Asian Network presenter. From his roots in a legendary musical family to his insights on evolving the Punjabi music scene, Dipps shares his journey of passion, persistence, and creative innovation. Discover his unique perspective on embracing technology in live performances, the sacrifices required to pursue musical excellence, and his advice for aspiring artists. This episode is a masterclass in commitment and evolution within the music industry. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation filled with wisdom, laughter, and inspiration.
In this episode, Raj Kaul sits down with Gus Campbell, aka Gussie G, a multi-talented musician and third-generation artist from Birmingham. Gus shares his incredible journey from playing bass in the iconic Bhangra band Satrang to remixing chart-topping garage tracks with the B15 Project. Together, they delve into the evolution of British Bhangra, the challenges faced by live bands in a changing music scene, and Gus’s foray into sync licensing and DJing.
Tune in for insights into music’s golden eras, the impact of AI on artistry, and what it takes to achieve musical excellence in an ever-evolving industry. This conversation is packed with inspiring stories, valuable advice for aspiring musicians, and a celebration of cross-cultural creativity. Don’t miss it!
In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj Kaul sits down with multi-talented musician and producer Pali Mathru. Known for his innovative fusion of funk, R&B, and traditional Punjabi music, Pali shares his journey from self-taught guitarist to a sought-after performer and music producer. Discover how he transitioned from weddings to crafting unique tracks, the influence of legends like Prince and Michael Jackson on his sound, and his approach to creating fresh, organic music. Whether you're an aspiring musician or simply a lover of great music, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice for pushing creative boundaries while staying true to your roots.
In this episode of The Raj Kaul podcast, Raj Kaul is joined by Ranbir Daskai, a talented Punjabi artist with deep roots in the music industry. Together, they discuss Ranbir’s unique journey growing up among legendary musicians, the influence of traditional folk music, and his rise to prominence through platforms like Brit Asia. Ranbir shares candid insights into the struggles faced by UK artists, the challenges of going independent, and the importance of supporting local talent. This episode offers a heartfelt look at preserving heritage while navigating the modern music landscape.
In this episode of the Raj Kaul Podcast, we sit down with Herbie Sahara, the dynamic frontman of the renowned Sahara UK band. Herbie shares his musical journey, from singing Hindi film tracks at the age of three to leading a band that has toured globally, including performances in Canada, Norway, Denmark, India, Pakistan, Kenya, the USA, and Dubai. We delve into the stories behind hits like "Sohniye Ni Sohniye" and "Billo Ni Tera Lal Ghagra," and discuss the band's impact on the Bhangra scene. Tune in for an insightful conversation about the evolution of Bhangra music and Herbie's experiences in the industry.
