With its distinct blend of pop, rock and Bollywood sounds, Goldspot has made its way through the music industry with an inventive sound and an independent vision. The band recently dropped by NPR for a performance and interview with NPR's Michel Martin.
Named for singer Siddhartha Khosla's favorite Indian soda -- he was born in the U.S. but spent his childhood in India -- Goldspot finds ways to fuse the music of both countries.
"I wanted to bring out ... Indian culture in some way," Khosla says. "It's an important part of who I am -- a big influence."
The group just released its sophomore album, And The Elephant Is Dancing, after parting ways with the major label which released Goldspot's debut, Tally of the Yes Men. For Goldspot, leaving its major label signified a beginning, not an end.
"I'm glad that we went through whatever difficult times, because we grew from it," Khosla says.
Flying solo has proved rewarding for the quintet, whose other members include James Gabbie, Jacob Owen, Paul Jenkins and Dave Sharma.
"It's a very liberating experience," Khosla says. "We can make the decisions we want to. We can have the team that we want around us."
Falling In Love With Music
Khosla says that singing was not always a labor of love.
"When I was a kid, my mom used to force me to sing against my will," he says. "At the time, I hated her for it, and now I'm grateful to her for it."
Still, when Khosla decided to sing professionally, his parents didn't immediately approve of his vision to become a star. He says it's a cultural thing.
"They were nervous in the beginning," he says. "They came to this country and worked their butts off to get to where they are now ... they got really worried."
But that all changed as Goldspot took off.
"When they saw things started happening, they got really excited and they supported it," he says. "[Now] they come to every show."
Culture Vs. Music
Khosla says a highlight of the band's career was a performance in India, where Goldspot performed before thousands in Mumbai. The band's widespread appeal has helped it transcend geographic and cultural boundaries.
Ultimately, Khosla says he just wants people to enjoy what they hear.
"I'd like for people to listen to the music and like it just because they do," he says. "If they know I'm of South Asian descent, that's cool, too."
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