Meet India-born UK Open Mic performer, Dev Kris:

Hi Dev Kris, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Group

What’s the name of the group?

Contraband

How old are you?

59

Where were you born?

India

Where did you grow up?

India, Germany and UK

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

London has had the biggest influence on my music given the kind of musicians I get to meet in various music events

Where are you based now, and why?

London. I think London is an amazing place for musicians as you get to see and perform in so many amazing venues with so many amazing artists

What got you into making music in the first place?

Sheer passion for music. It has always been my best friend during good and not-so-good times!

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing, Guitar

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Simon and Garfunkel, Crosby Still Nash and Young, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Green Day, Snow Patrol, REM, Pink Gloyd, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

6

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

I start with something that touches me personally and then I write lyrics to bring out those emotions and support them with music

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

I wanted to improve my ability to perform and also to share my songs with others

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Just do it without waiting to become perfect. Every performance teaches you a lot.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Managing the sound system in every venue

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

At the Pianobar in Barbican in London. It was a singer-songwriters night and had an amazing response from the crowd!

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

To be financially independent as a full-time musician is not easy … as initially it’s a tough journey for a musician

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

That I am so driven by music at my age! I still dream of performing at Wembley!

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

To release my songs one by one by professionally recording in a studio

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://instagram.com/hellodev_kris?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!