FROM PLAYING ALONGSIDE WILLOW SMITH TO CREATING HER OWN OUTFITS — INDIAN ORIGIN BASSIST MOHINI DEY TALKS ABOUT HER JOURNEY
Mohini Dey Hartsuch is a Bengali Indian electric bass player. She has performed on Gaan Bangla's Wind of Change, Coke Studio India, and with A. R. Rahman.
Music isn't just about what we hear; it's a deep dive into emotions, cultures, and creativity. Every song that moves us has a story — crafted through the art of music production. One such story in the world of music revolves around Mohini Dey.
A mere search for "Indian bassist" on Google is enough to see her name lead the list of results. Ever since her debut in the world of music at the tender age of 9, Mohini set out with a clear aspiration, to collaborate across genres with an array of artists.
In a lively exchange with indianexpress.com, Mohini Dey offered us a gateway into her world. She unravelled the essentials of music production, discussed the pivotal role she plays, and delved into how she scored the collaboration with Willow Smith for NPR’s Tiny Desk concert.
A family of musicians
Music has been a constant presence in her life from a very young age, thanks to their upbringing. With a mother who was a singer and a father who played bass guitar, she was surrounded by music right from the start.
“My early years were filled with various genres as my parents always played different kinds of music at home. Exposure to traditional forms and Western jazz and fusion artists like Marcus Miller and Jaco Pastorius shaped my musical identity,” Mohini said.
She believes learning is a continuous journey that requires years of hard work and experience.
Music — An inseparable part of Mohini Dey’s life
She added, “I started playing bass at the age of three, encouraged by my parents; and my passion only grew.” Growing up in this environment instilled in her an appreciation for discipline and dedication, values that are integral to her musical journey. These early experiences and influences have shaped her love for music, making it an inseparable part of Dey’s identity and a lifelong pursuit.
Mohini Dey debuting on Amercian TV alonsgside Willow Smith for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.
Delving further, Dey said, “I don't like to categorise my music too much; I approach it with my fusion style. I create groovy music with singable melodies and big band arrangements for a larger-than-life sound.” Mohini writes all her music on bass, creating drum grooves and playing chords and melodies.
Over the years, Mohini devoted herself tirelessly to enhancing the work of others while quietly nurturing her own compositions on the sidelines. However, as time progressed, a pivotal realisation dawned upon her; her true passion lay not just in performing, but in the intricate realms of music direction, production, and composition.
Her inspirations
“My inspirations include my father, Victor Wooten, Gary Willis, and Jaco Pastorius. I mix Konnakol with my slap abilities, bringing a unique voice to the bass by treating it as a melodic and harmonic tool,” she responded.
Her music often incorporates complex time signatures inspired by Indian classical music with different ragas. When asked if she had a music ritual or a quote that keeps her motivated, she said, “I now take small breaks to avoid burnout and stay motivated. I stay in creative spaces, engaging in activities like painting, stitching, designing clothes, and home interiors when not making music.”
On collaboration with Willow Smith
Mohini Dey moved to Nashville for peace and quiet, where her fame grew. Touring with her international band, Dey released a praised album in August. On how she got a chance to play alongside Willow Smith for NPR’s Tiny Desk, Mohini explained, “Willow discovered my album through mutual friends and reached out after falling in love with my music. Her team contacted me, expressing that she wanted me for her gigs. I was initially shocked but was excited to join her new band. This opportunity led to performing at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert and the Jimmy Fallon show. Willow gave the band a lot of freedom, making it an honour to represent diversity globally.” Dey viewed it as a chance to expand her musical range even further.
After a week of rehearsals for NPR Tiny Desk and ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’, Dey was amazed by Willow's creative talents. All the performances you've seen with the band were completely live. There were no pre-recorded tracks or click tracks, Mohini Dey disclosed.
Not just music
Dey is passionate about fashion designing and personally creating all her stage outfits for performances and tours and she finds it therapeutic. Besides music, she's deeply involved in social media marketing, content creation, video production and crafts like interior design and painting. However, her love for music is deeply rooted in her passion for bass.
Dey also creates her own outfits for her shows and more.
She believes the bass is one of the most crucial elements in the band. It gets people dancing, grooving, and really locks them into the rhythm. When you're in the pocket with the bass, you draw people in effortlessly.
What Mohini Dey is currently listening to
She shared that she is currently listening to Dirty Loops, Knower, Willow's album ‘Empathogen’, and Greg Howe's ‘Extraction’ album in preparation for her upcoming performances.
On being asked if she has any dream collaborations she'd love to make happen, she excitedly said, “Bruno Mars! Hopefully one day!”
On if she could talk to any musician, dead or alive, she said, “Michael Jackson. I wish I could have played with him or for him.”
Her best moment
Sharing about her best performance, Mohini Dey said, "It's hard to pinpoint my best performance as I am always striving for more. However, playing on Steve Vai's album and performing live with him, touring with Guthrie Govan, and the NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Willow Smith are some memorable milestones. Each of these moments holds a special place for me.”
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2024-06-25T13:44:03Z dg43tfdfdgfd