Emotion, not algorithms, still drives great music: Leslee Lewis
Few names evoke nostalgia and musical innovation in equal measure the way Leslee Lewis does. From iconic tracks like Paree Hoon Main, Pal to Janam Samjha Karo, Leslee's journey has been one of reinvention, resilience, and rootedness.
As one of the pioneers of India's pop and indie scene, and one-half of the legendary duo Colonial Cousins, he continues to create music that lingers long after the last note.
In this exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, the singer-composer reflects on the role of artificial intelligence, and how independent music can still rise, if given the wings of visibility.
Independent music seems to be thriving, but is it truly replacing the platform that film music once provided?
Absolutely.
But I believe we're just looking in the wrong direction. Back when we had Paree Hoon Main, Janam Samjha Karo, Krishna, Yaaron Dosti, and Pal, we also had platforms like Channel V and MTV to let the music fly. The content is still very much here — songs like Meheki Khushboo, Tere Bina Love, Doob Doob Doob, and Dil Chahe Desi Girl — they're born to live in hearts. But visibility needs its wings again. The independent space is glowing with talent, it just needs to be seen and heard.
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AI is now composing melodies, writing lyrics, even replicating voices. How do you view this intersection of tech and music?
I welcome it, as I would welcome any tool that enhances the creative journey. When computers first arrived, people feared redundancy. When Auto-Tune came, many said 'now anyone can sing'. But that's never the whole story. Mastering a tool is what makes it powerful. AI is no different, it's the calculator in an exam, not the brain.
The melody still begins with a dream. If you can guide AI with vision, it will serve you. But you must lead it, not follow it.
'
Do you think AI threatens the emotional depth that defines great music?
AI will never replace emotion. It can enhance, assist, and inspire, but it cannot breathe or break the way a human does when they sing a heartbreak, a joy, a memory. The soul of music lies in being human. AI is just an instrument. The player still has to be alive inside.'
Have you personally experimented with AI-based tools in your own process?
Not yet. Meheki Khushboo was born the old way, with clarity, heart, and a vision I could feel in my veins. But I'm open to experimenting. I see AI as a tool that could soon help me create music videos, new sounds, and layered experiences. Maybe next time, AI will join my jam.'
Looking ahead, how do you see AI impacting employment and artistry in the music industry?
Like every revolution, this one too will reshape the landscape.
But real music — music with memory and melody — will always need real minds and hearts. AI will coexist, and musicians will evolve with it. The trick is to stay grounded in your art, and not let the tools redefine the artist.'
You've contributed to India's musical legacy. What keeps your creative flame alive?
Creativity is my constant companion. It doesn't live outside of me, it sings within. From Paree Hoon Main to Meheki Khushboo, I've never tried to chase trends.
I've simply followed the melody that feels honest, that speaks to you. That's my journey, timeless and true.'
What advice would you give to musicians trying to sustain themselves creatively and financially in today's climate?
There's no magic formula. This journey is not for the faint-hearted; it's for those who breathe music even when the world goes silent. You have to be crazy enough, passionate enough, and mad enough to keep moving forward even when failure stands in your way. True talent often shines brightest in its darkest hour. That hunger, that fire, that's what forges greatness.'
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