Vivek-Mervin on track to create a new indie platform

When Orasaadha, a peppy number hit digital platforms, music composers Vivek-Mervin were four films old in Tamil cinema. It was the time when the Tamil music scene was at an interesting crossroads of sorts. From then, we have seen many frontline music directors diversifying their reach to find newer avenues to gain audiences. It was not just about film music anymore. Independent singles were the in-thing, and Vivek-Mervin found themselves delivering an instant chartbuster in that space in 2018. After composing for more films, and other music labels in the independent scene, Vivek-Mervin recently took things into their own hands and started a new label under their name. After the success of Addictive, their first production, the duo is back with Na Na Na Na, which is set to be launched on June 14. “Be it Orasaadha, Gaandu Kannamma, and even Na Na Na Na, we are always focussed on making these songs instantly likeable. In fact, all our indie numbers can be film songs too,” says Vivek Siva, one-half of the popular composer duo behind albums like Pattas, Sulthan, and Enna Solla Pogiraai.  

“We wanted to create a platform to showcase not just our talent, but provide opportunities for the talented musicians who send us their music and are looking for guidance in reaching the right spaces. Every 2-3 months we want to put out a song, be it our own, or other indie artists,” says Vivek, who reveals that they are planning to start a series of independent songs. “Although we do have terrific talent in our state, the system is stacked against independent music. We do not have a thriving indie space like how it is in, say… Punjab,” points out Vivek, who realises there is a long way to go, and they have reached a place to push the envelope and experiment. “In fact, when we do film stuff, it is easier to market and position the songs. When we do indie music, it is still a lot of effort from our entire team to even get the songs noticed. Also, both of us come from the band scene, and we love making independent music. So the drive to create indie songs is always high.”

Just like all their songs, Na Na Na Na, picturised on Saraswathi Menon and Antony Hadlee, will feature a cameo of Vivek and Mervin. “Na Na Na Na is about rains and romance, and considering the heat in Chennai, we went to Kerala and Karnataka for scouting possible locations. But we found bright sunlight wherever we landed,” says Vivek with a hearty laugh, adding, “Finally, we shot the video with artificial rainfall, and it was definitely strenuous for Saraswathi and Antony, who had to be dancing in the rain for 12 hours straight.” Did Vivek-Mervin too get drenched working on the song? “Not at all. We will be featured in the non-rain portions of the song. But we were completely hands-on in the production and filming of the song. The song is coming out under our name, and it is all on us, right?” says Vivek.

Written by Vishnu Edavan, known for his work in Vikram, Na Na Na Na is choreographed by Doctor-fame Apsar Rafi, shot by Shervin Ebenezer, and directed by Hariharan, who helmed Enna Solla Pogiraai. “We are a bunch of good friends who came together to make music that we love. That’s what our label will be all about,” signs off Vivek.