Born to parents who emigrated from Kenya in the 1960s, Champaneri came to qualify for the semi-finals of the BBC’s talent program ‘The Voice UK’ (2014). We caught up with the young singer to talk about his passion, taking the western stage and what those vocal chords have been doing since. Feisty and forthcoming, talking with Champaneri was as much a treat as champagne. It is no wonder- a sparkly spectacle though it may have been – he was given pop star Pink’s iconic hit ‘Get This Party Started’:
How did you first get into singing, were you always drawn to musicality?
Well, I’ve been singing for almost twelve years now, and it’s always been a part of my life. I used to play the drums as a child so it’s always been an influence. It was a small Dhol-type thing that my dad got me; more a toy than an instrument, but an instrument none the less. I actually started singing when I was on a family holiday in India. We saw all these child superstars on stage and I said ‘dad, I want to sing like that.’ They were singing in Gujarati so in order to get it right I had to learn the language. This led to me build a repertoire of Bhajans as a hobby; something I loved. If I had any spare time, I would try and conquer songs that I found difficult. The western aspect in my music has only just entered over the last few years.
Yes, tell me about your experience on the ‘The Voice’?
To be honest, I didn’t feel like I was given the exact opportunity I was hoping for. It does hurt a little. I felt I was made into a joke act at some point and I was supposed to be performing as a musician. Both my acts had a theatrical, gimmicky sort of element imposed on them and I sometimes wonder if without that, I would have made it to the finals. They had a circus theme where I was placed in a hoop and lifted – practically flying- a few feet into the air and that distracted me from being able to focus on the singing. I can’t act to save my life! It wasn’t a cultural thing - Thank God, or I don’t know what I would have done. In that way maybe it wasn’t a bad thing being knocked out in the semi-finals. I now have the chance to reflect on myself as an artist. When I got on the show I was vocally perfect, but when I performed it was not the case. When you start catapulting people and introducing flamboyant dance routines, you destroy talent.
Were you confident about applying to the show?
Very much so. On stage it was different for the reasons I’ve stated, but I’m naturally a very confident person. I knew I belonged on a stage, I just didn’t know which one. ‘Voice’ was the platform that helped me recognize my talent and it is because of them that I’m in a stable place. I’ve sung to thousands of people. If you take into account the studio audience, that’s almost 5000 people altogether. So going on the show was more a confidence booster. At the end of the day, I may have been given the wrong routine, and songs that weren’t so ideal, but I’m still happy.
What have you been up to since?
I have a single coming out this year called ‘Feeling is Gold’. I’ll also be performing at Glastonbury festival. I’ve paid my dues in the music world and now is the time for me to shine. For me, it’s the chance for people to see exactly what my voice can do. There may be a little theatrical element like the odd confetti bomb, but I will be focusing on the songs.
How did it feel to get to the knock-out rounds?
Amazing! I didn’t expect to get through to the quarter finals of a national singing competition. Will-I-Am gave me that life-line and when someone as iconic as Tom Jones calls you a ‘stunner’ you’re not going to take it lightly!
Were you driven by your cultural background at all?
I think lots of people are stopped from what they want to do. Parents say I don’t want my son or daughter being a singer. I don’t like defying people and I am very respectful of my parents but when it comes to my career, it’s what I want to do so let me face the consequences by myself. I think with them it was more a question of ‘must you go?’ I had to prove it was going to be worth it. However I have also been taught a strong work ethic from them. I’m never lazy about my ambitions- well, I am at home with the house work, I’m not going to touch it!- but with work I’ve been taught you will not get the rewards unless you do it. My parents are workaholics, and my father is really my backbone. It’s moving. He is an engineer for BT and he will tell everyone I was on television. My mum was my emotional support because when she became pregnant with myself, she suffered a stroke and lost her talent. So I really inherited the singing from her and sang for her. It’s emerged as a fairytale ending where everybody knows who I am and all the years of struggle have paid off.
What was your favourite part of singing live?
Well it was such a blur. I remember watching the performance and thinking where has all the time gone? Every occasion was memorable in itself, and it all meant one thing to me – that I was pursuing my dream. My blind audition for ‘The Voice’ was probably my first gig, and by the quarter finals I was actually getting somewhere! In addition to that, all of us went on the show to face rejection. Be it by the judges or the UK public – you get the hate online, the odd horrendous comment - and it gives you a thicker skin. That’s what they taught us about: to never read the negative comments. You can only make yourself better by reading and focusing on the good things.
What does music do for people?
In times of happiness or sorrow - music is a good healer for anything that’s broken; not to say it repairs broken limbs – but it is always there as a confidante. It helps you get in touch with what you’re feeling.
Do you have a favourite Artist?
I have a few, and I believe Britain has some of the best artists in the industry. Sam Smith, for example, has worked his way up from the bottom and I always have such admiration for people like that. It’s exactly the same for Adele. Then there’s the cream of the soul such as James Brown. He was there through the racism in America, through the heartache and fighting, singing and pushing his dreams.
Finally, what is your vision for the future?
Personally I don’t like to picture it until it happens. The moment you say I want albums, and sell out arenas gigs, you’re inviting something that is out of your hands. I was a telephonist for a chauffeur company and still am. I’m a strong believer in luck and it’s just a case of waiting for something concrete to come along.
Vikesh will be performing at our Anand Mela over the 6-7 June weekend.
Motto: Don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you want because in the end you’ll regret it.
