The sound of rebellion, humour and all rounded fun - In conversation with Tshering Bhutia about her new release Hair on My Legs

It's not everyday you listen to music that hits you where it hurts. Playing on the idea of mockery, and that weird, unneeded judgement that comes with something as simple as hair on one's legs, Tshering used her witty songwriting and that smooth sense of musical progression to give us Hair on My Legs. Read on to know more about the release - in conversation with Tshering Bhutia and her artist manager Devanshi Thakore.

Interviewed and written by Zarah Noorani.

Let’s start with the basics, how did Hair on My Legs come about? 

Okay, so a family member, and I’m not going to say who, because they are the product of their times, but they were like “You should shave your legs”, and mocking me for it. I felt really mad about it and I said No, I’m not going to do that, and I went into my room and made a journal entry which was very melodic. The music I was listening to back then was very jazzy and not-the-four-chord cyclical progression type, and so the melody forming in my head then was also very… different, and fun! I then put it aside and came back to it a few days later and went like Yes, this is nice!

What was the process of writing this song, producing it and in-fact, even the managerial part of the release?

Tshering: Well, so when I first started putting the chords to back the melody and lyrics, they weren’t full chords. This was two years ago so I wasn’t a very good guitarist! So I did this a couple of times at live gigs, and then I naturally grew a little as an artist and made the chords fuller and better - with the help of my friends of course!

For the production, Raag [Sethi, from Compass Box Studios] told me I should do this song. Back then, he was still thinking about doing a label thing where he wanted indie musicians to have that space. So once he said we can do this song, I texted him, sent him the demo, and made the chords better. He got Harmish [Joshi] to play the clarinet, Protyay [Chakraborty] did the mixing, Jyotirmay [Menon], who knew the song and also recorded the drums, Anuj did some of the guitars, and there were also some extra lines that Raag composed!

Devanshi: I think, now more than ever, indie music has different ways of showcasing itself. And because this song was also made at Compass Box, so a lot of it came together with the participation of a community there too. The distribution part was not really that difficult because it was putting this song up on a platform and talking to people. Once you’ve made something, you want to make sure that it goes out into the world through the right people who can showcase your work, and ensure the song reaches people the way it should. 

I think what sets Tshering apart is that none of her lyrics ever feel forced. They feel very organic, and you can see a lot of her personality and journey as an artist in how the song comes together. You can see the influences from her time in a choir and a band in her music now. 

I’d love to tie this back to your discography as a whole. Is there a common theme your music shares? 

Tshering - I’d say they are all a little… quirky. I think that is who I am as a person, and I’ve accepted it. It’s an awesome thing. Even for Hair on My Legs, it’s an important message that doesn’t attack people against hair legs. Its humorous, because that is how people go like Oh yeah, she’s standing up for the hair on her legs! It’s a funny song, and maybe this’ll help normalize this. I mean, the hair really does keep you warm. AND it’s a mosquito repellent! I think humour helps, and that’s a common theme with all my writing. 

Devanshi - The way she’s written it, and the way it has been produced, it goes hand in hand. Because when you listen to the song again and again, you realize the beats get you in the groove and the melody sticks in your head. It’s not at all forced, or in-your-face. 

How do you feel now that it’s out? 

Tshering - It’s an old song! Two years in the making. A month before the release, I was playing a gig out of town and it was a trio set up. They were very particular about how I was dressing, especially since I’m the girl and they wanted an “eye-candy” thingy. So they wanted to coordinate outfits, so I told them I have these dresses and we chose one that was the only “tolerable” dress. When I got there, I realised I forgot to shave my legs, and I really felt like I don’t want to shave my legs. The song was due to be released soon and I’m just really feeling it. But, when I reached, I also saw I forgot to pack stockings. So I told her about my situation, and thought maybe I could put on pants under this and make it like a modern y2k look. She said this was unacceptable, and what we could do is get a razor from housekeeping and go shave it before the gig. 

What’s next on the agenda? What are you most excited for? 

Tshering - I’m mainly excited for what I’ve been writing, because I have grown a lot as a singer and a guitarist. I have written a few songs already that I think will make it in the EP, but I’m going to continue writing for another month - because I’m feeling a lot of things right now and I feel it’s very chaotic in my brain. But yeah, my EP is what’s next! I’m working on it, along with growing a community. I think I’ve also found a way to connect with people, who seem to like the process of me writing songs. And that is super fun for me! A few days ago, I saw this video of a dude singing to a cat who was carrying a bag a flour and waddling down the path and the guy was like “if there’s a hole in your bag, you’ll find that you’re leaving a trail of flour behind”, and that was SO metaphoric. Sooo, I turned that into a song and I’m happy about it. 

The song I’m currently working on is about not finding a single couple that I can look to and go like “THIS, this is what I want”, so I’m exploring those feelings right now I’m going to let it cook for some time and it’ll come to me I think. 

What’s your process when you’re out looking for inspiration?

Tshering - I’m very open to feeling things. So if I see something that makes me go “wow, this can be poetic”, or I can relate it to some part of my life in weird spaces. Like the flour thing was like pieces of us, and how everyone can see parts of it. So yeah, I think I like finding metaphors around me, I’m just very impressionable that way. 

With lyrics, I try not to be very in-your-face and not corny. I used to be very corny, so I’m now toning it down. I’m trying to be someone who I would listen to and not feel like I’m listening to this artist because I want to support an indie artist, but because I actually enjoy it. For example, there’s a song by Meera called Homes, and it’s my favourite song of hers. There’s a line that goes like “All my chairs are broken, where will I rest. Maybe if I walk around aimlessly …” and the image stayed with me forever. That’s the kind of music I’d like to make.