Tuesday

A Diamond in the Rough, a Star in the Making

Karen David is not your average “girl next door.” This exotic star has everything you’ve been looking for: talent, sex appeal star quality that shines through everything she puts her passion to. The stylish actress, singer, and songwriter’s budding career has been going from strength to strength. Born in Shillong, at the foot of the Himalayas and raised in Toronto, Canada, by a half Chinese/Khasi mother and a father from Chennai, the ever-alluring Karen was never one to be confined by the expected boundaries.

Karen has been back in the studio in L.A recently, writing additional songs for her album project with Qura Rankin, and also in London with Paul Barry and Carl Ryden. Her debut album is in production and features collaborations with an A-list team that includes the beautiful, eclectic Bombay Dub Orchestra (Garry Hughes and Andrew T Mackay), and songwriter-producers Johnny Douglas, Rob Wells, Damian Legassick, Andy Bradfield and, of course, A R Rahman. The breathtakingly original songs marry her velvet smooth voice and quirky insights, set against an exotic backdrop that could only have been painted by Karen David. Her “Live Sessions” EP received critical acclaim, and her much anticipated album will show off what KD is all about.

So what’s next for Karen? Check out Karen’s exclusive interview with Karen David and you’ll find out

Born in India, raised in Canada, and educated in London, you have lived three different lifestyles in three different places. Which of those three do you think had the most impact on your upbringing?
I think being born in India, and living and growing up in Toronto and London have ALL played a huge part in who I am as a person. I’m very lucky to have been blessed with the opportunity of experiencing different cultures, and I think you often learn so much about yourself when you see what the world has to offer and where you fit in, in this big but small world!

Being an actress, singer, and a songwriter, you are the quite the package! What inspired you to pursue both acting and music?
It’s all Olivia Newton John’s fault…and mainly my older sister too. Having an elder sister meant that as the little sis, I had to listen to whatever music she listened to, and I had to watch whatever tv shows she liked watching. One Saturday afternoon, she made me watch Xanadu with her, and when I saw Olivia Newton John singing like an angel and acting in movies too, I wanted to be just like her….I even wanted to be blonde and blue eyed like her….but that of course, was never going to happen. Lol So I stuck with pursuing my childhood dream of wanting to sing great music, and acting.

We’ll talk about your musical side first. You worked with A.R. Rahman, and together you two created the main theme song for the Aishwarya Rai film Provoked. How did it feel to be working alongside one of India’s most famous music composers?
I’ve known Rahman for about 9 years. He discovered me when I was in the original cast of Mamma Mia! In the West End in London. So we have gotten to know each other very well and are very comfortable with working creatively together, so it was really just another day in the studio with him, writing a great song! Writing songs with Rahman is ALWAYS going to be a wonderful creative experience. He brings out the best in me as a performer and as a songwriter.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My life, my family and friends, my travels, people that I meet, great stories….life is full of great stories and adventures, and I keep them tucked in my heart and when an idea hits me for a song, I grab my pen and writing pad, and dictaphone, and write, write, write. And for acting, I draw upon all those life experiences and use them for the different roles that I play…that’s when the fun begins…when you are creating a whole new character.

Tell us a little bit about your debut album Me vs. Me.
I’m still deciding whether I want to call it Me vs. Me, so let’s use that as a working title. My album is a reflection of my “exotic” roots mixed with mainstream influences both lyrically and musically. It’s feel good music with a kicking beat at times or moving Bollywood strings, which I hope my fans will enjoy as I have in making it. It talks about a lot of my personal life: love, finding love, losing love, fitting in, being different….very raw, and very open at the same time.

Is there anything special you do to exercise your vocals?
I always have trained my voice since I was 13, be it with singing lessons, or singing in choir, to taking my classical voice lessons at the conservatory. It’s like exercise….you always have to keep your voice in shape, and in good condition. I do vocal exercises everyday, and sing everyday as well.

Moving onto your acting talents, your fans will soon be seeing you in your latest movie, Couples Retreat. Tell us a little bit about that?
I have a cameo role in Couples Retreat, working alongside Jean Reno at the couples resort spa. All my scenes are with Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau and Kristen Davis, and I got to film in Bora Bora for a few weeks. It was such a beautiful place to be filming, and Vince and Jon were sooooo funny. It was hard to keep a straight face in between takes. Lol

Which actor/actress(s) do you draw your inspiration from?
I have so many actors and actresses that I love, but if pressed, I would say…Sally Field, Helen Hunt, Natalie Portman, to Jason Bateman, Liam Neeson and Michael Caine. I think a perfect sotryline matched with the perfect performance is in itself “perfect” inspiration.

What do you think is the most important thing to know about acting?
To just “be” the character and not over think things…to exist and breathe into the character, and listening is soooooo important. The greatest actors are the ones who listen to the other characters.

Are there tips you have for our aspiring singers and/or artists?
There is a huge difference between singers and artists. There are tons of talented singers out there who can sing the pants off anyone, but it takes an artist to be different, unique, and genuine in who they are as an artist, that stands out from the crowd.

Any last words for the readers of Bravura Artist Magazine?
Thank you for all your support, it means so so much! Come and say hi or drop me a line on www.karendavid.com, I’m even on Facebook, and I have a Fanpage too! XXXX