Stafford unsigned artist Vidorra discusses his debut album
It all began at the age of seven. Vidorra picked up a saxophone at school and that was it, a life-long love affair with music began that has seen the 19-year-old from Stafford recently release his debut album You Matter.
It’s been a journey that’s seen him studying the professionals in LA, working with rappers from Detroit and splitting his time between his home town and London.
“I started taking saxophone and drum lessons aged seven, so they really formed my root styles, which are strongly shown in my music to date and I think will always be,” says Vidorra, real name Chanakya Kathuria. “I like change and I love growth so my style will always be changing, but, yes, my roots are very present.”
Vidorra classes himself as an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist who’s been getting support from BBC Introducing. He’s had his work featured as the Record of the Week on local BBC stations, as well as having singles featured on Radio One.
Music experts there have even described him as ‘one of those people in life who are so talented that it makes you feel a little bit sick’.
“By the age of eight I had picked up piano and the drums too, joining various music groups including school concert bands, orchestras and big bands, as well as rock acts.”
But it wasn’t playing instruments that interested Vidorra. A keen eye for the arts also meant he wanted to be able to do it all, from conception to the finished product.
In 2013 he contacted Stoke-based sound and production engineer Matthew Ball in order to learn about that side of the industry. He took lessons and, working from home, wrote tracks in the week and mixed and mastered them with Matthew at weekends.
“This lead to a number of SoundCloud releases, catching the attention of BBC Introducing from Stoke, my local BBC outlet,” he says. “These were followed by a number of independent releases under my own label called WhatSheOrder. These included Love I Recognize, featuring Stoke-based singer-songwriter Samantha Lloyd, which surpassed 60,000 streams on Spotify.
“Right now my label gives me a platform and foundation to build on. We can release music, throw events, create clothing, and many more things. I want to wait until I can really offer other artists great opportunities before I expand the roster.
“My older brother Kartiké has been in the booth recording with me a lot so he will likely be the newest addition to the roster.”
His first independent release Make Them Pa$$ Out hit more than 80,000 streams on SoundCloud in it’s first couple of months, followed by Talk 2 Me hitting 230,000 streams.
Then came his single After Hours, which was featured on BBC Radio Stoke as its Record of The Week. Following these releases, in September 2016 Vidorra dropped Get Down, a track showcased on BBC Radio One. This kick-started Vidorra’s journey into the BBC Asian Network, as that too became an outlet for his music.
And the artists he liked to listen to work alongside was growing too.
“There are a number of artists who really inspire me. Early on, Diplo was a big inspiration and still is. He is a great pioneer in the music industry.
“I look up to Kanye West for pushing boundaries in all creative fields, and the artist Young Thug too for forming his own lane in music and fashion.
“January 2017 was a busy month. My single entitled M.I.A featured American hit singer-songwriter Mickey Shiloh, who was first signed and developed by Rodney ‘Darkchild’ Jerkins. Mickey has featured on records for Britney Spears, Iggy Azalea, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J. This record attracted immediate support from a number of other well-established media outlets.”
That kicked off a busy period in which he released his first EP – Riches – with Detroit-born rapper Young Twaun, took home Best Young Act and earned a nomination for best Electronic Act at The Music Awards for Staffordshire and played a main stage slot at Lymelight Festival in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
He also continued his self-education. In July 2017, Vidorra flew to LA for two months where he learnt about recording and mixing in Westlake Studios, West Hollywood, which has hosted artists including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Britney Spears and Madonna.
It’s all built up to the release of You Matter last month, which he launched with a special evening of food, drink and music in Stafford on July 13.
“The You Matter launch party was fantastic,” he adds.
“As for upcoming live shows,” he adds, “they are to be announced shortly.”
For all the latest updates, follow Vidorra on Twitter @VidorraUK and Facebook @vidorraofficial
