My definition of being productive over the summer entails catching up on movies and books that I did not have the opportunity to enjoy throughout the school year. While I started out watching some quality academy award winning movies, I quickly succumbed to the power of what we all know as “chick flicks”. Whether or not you admit it, chick flicks are every girl’s guilty pleasure (and I’m sure some guys watch them too!).

Chick flicks are often labled as sappy, boring, melodramatic, silly, or cliché. While this may apply to some of them, I find that others tell valuable stories. Regardless of the quality of the film, there are a few key elements that make up the quintessential chick flick.

• Romance, no matter the level of cheesiness, is always necessary!
•  An attractive, and more importantly, a sensitive male makes us weak at the knees.
• Even if it is the most cliché conversation, relationship, or plot there has to be something that makes us cry.
• Strong, empowered females are always a plus.
• A  female bonding situation with friends or family certainly adds to the emotional appeal.  

The next time you’re in the mood for a girl’s night, or you need some inspiration for cute outfits, or you just want to watch an adorable love story even though you know exactly what’s going to happen, then check out one of these films. Feel free to add to the list by commenting below. Grab some popcorn, and chocolate, a couple friends, some nail polish, and a couch, and you’re ready to go!

• A Walk To Remember
• How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days
• The Secret Life of Bees
• The Proposal
• Confessions of a Shopaholic
• My Sister’s Keeper
• Love Story
• Notting Hill
• The Notebook
• Miss Congeniality
• Falling Up
• Valentine’s Day
• Letters to Juliet
• Dear John
• Legally Blonde
• She’s All That
• 27 Dresses
• The Ugly Truth
• 500 Days of Summer
• Bride Wars
• Leap Year

Only a fellow brown girl knows how hard it is to make it. And by make it, I mean, strip ourselves away from the tensions and insecurities that arise from being immigrants, and turn it one of our biggest strengths.

An emerging and supremely talented young artist, Anjulie Persaud (This isn’t official, but it sounds like a variation of “Anjali Prasad”) is slowly making her way onto the music scene. The Canadian singer’s parents who are of Indian descent were originally from Guyana, who then moved to Canada. Talking about turning her weakness into strength – our spotlight brown girl who is slowly “making it” got her first break in the music industry right after being fired from her job at a record studio. Uh.. what?!

She’s got a unique voice for sure – frank lyrics, and deep, catchy melodies that makes you pay attention. If listened to carefully, the lyrics can unravel a very introspective, smart woman. “I think I have something to say lyrically” she writes on her website (www.anjuliemusic.com) “My background is in songwriting, so I’m really invested in melodies, song structure and payoff choruses, but on this record, I tried to loosen up and just express myself how I wanted to. I really write for myself.” And her self-titled debut album suggests, she really does.

On my first look, she reminded me of Amy WInehouse, on my second, Nelly Furtado, on my third a little bit of Lauryn Hill. That makes sense because she has been influenced by an  array of different artists – from Alanis Morisette to Annie Lennox to Kanye West, and it shows in how different and eclectic her music really is. People across the world, are starting to really dig her music, and so we might just be looking at the Next Music Sensation. Her debut album reached Number 2 on Billboard’s Heatseeker Albums and number 108 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The single ‘Boom’ reached Number one  the US Dance Charts.

Here’s a brown girl to watch out for and take inspiration from, and hopefully, one day she will be big enough for us to tell everyone that we knew about her first!

Check her music at www.myspace.com/anjulie

Summer. It’s the time of year when you trade in your books for the beach and snow for some sunshine. Though most of you are busy with internships, jobs, and other extra-curricular activities, there are hundreds of people whose jobs (for our purposes) come to a standstill during the summer. They inhabit a place that I like to call TV land (no relation to the TV channel) and during the summer season most networks rely on reruns for their programming schedules. While this can be great for those of us who weren’t able to catch the original airings of our favorite shows, it can be a huge bummer for those of us who are die-hard fans. So, what’s a TV addict to do? Well, fortunately (or unfortunately in some cases) there are several new shows airing this summer to fill the void. However, since summer shows are notorious for being less than amazing I have done the arduous task of reviewing four of this summer’s “hottest” shows. Here is what I found:

Boston Med (Thursdays 10 pm EST/ABC): Take every medical drama that you know and add a little bit of reality into the mix and you have the storyline of Boston Med. A follow up to ABC’s Hopkins, Boston Med delves deep into the lives of real doctors and residents who work at three major Boston area hospitals- Massachusetts General, Children’s Hospital, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. What I love about this show is that it doesn’t romanticize any part of medicine and gives the audience an honest perspective. After watching, I truly gained a newfound respect and appreciation for both doctors and nurses. Favorite moment from the Pilot: Hearing resident Pina Patel imitate her very Indian parents while explaining their wish for a son-in-law. I guess parents are never satisfied!

The Gates (Sundays 10 pm EST/ABC): Let me preface this entry with the following- I hate the Twilight movies (that means Eclipse, Full Moon, and every other lunar phase) and I am utterly perplexed by the recent abundance of vampire themed movies/tv shows. However, I did find ABC’s The Gates to be mildly entertaining. The Gates is about a normal family who moves into a (drumroll please) gated community without realizing that the community harbors a disturbing secret – it’s residents are vampires and werewolves. Though the show has elements of The Stepford Wives and Desperate Houseives, it unfortunately lacks the intelligence and quality of actors that these two productions had/have. Verdict: Instead of watching Khloe and Kourtney Take Miami, watch this. It’s far less trashy than your average reality show, but requires the same amount of brainpower to watch.

Rookie Blue (Thursdays 9 pm EST/ABC): What initially drew me to this show (besides this assignment) was the fact that Gregory Smith (of Everwood fame, which if you haven’t seen you should!) was in it. Unfortunately for me, not even the hotness that is Mr. Smith could save this show from sinking within its first ten minutes. The best way to describe Rookie Blue is that it’s part NYPD Blue and part Grey’s Anatomy, but without the grit of the former show and the clever script of the later (at least during GA’s earlier seasons). Cheesiest moment from the Pilot: The slow motion shot of all of the rookies enjoying an ice-cold beer at their local bar while celebrating the moments of their lives.

100 Questions (Thursdays 8:30 pm EST/NBC): This is one of those shows that are so predictable and cheesy that you can’t stop watching it. 100 Questions is about Charlotte (cute and British), who along with the help of her friends, tries to find Mr. Right by going to a dating agency. There, she is asked to answer a questionnaire containing 100 questions and each subsequent show is dedicated to one question. Sounds kind of interesting right? Well, it is except for the fact that by the end of the first episode viewers already know who Charlotte’s Mr. Right is (Wayne, one of her best friends) and that the script/acting are horrendous. Verdict: Skip it. Just watch a rerun of Friends. 

Hopefully you guys will find this mini guide helpful while navigating the treacherous waters of summertime programming. Feel free to post comments on which shows were/were not your favorites and to suggest other shows that I missed. Happy watching!

In January 2008, Dr. Renu Khator became the thirteenth president of the University of Houston and the eighth chancellor of the University of Houston System. She joined a handful of female presidents of major universities and is the first South Asian president of a major university in the country.

Dr. Khator is certainly an inspiring woman for the South Asian community to be proud of. I had the privilege to interview her recently on behalf of BG. She took the time to answer my questions about her current position, the criticism and obstacles she faces, and the role of her Indian heritage in her life.

What exactly does the position of President of University of Houston and Chancellor of the University of Houston System entail? Can you describe a typical day at work?

As chancellor, I oversee the University of Houston System, which includes four separate universities – the University of Houston (UH), the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the University of Houston-Downtown and the University of Houston-Victoria.  Each of these is a distinct institution, not just branch campuses, with its own president.  In addition to being chancellor, I also serve as president of UH, the largest university in our UH System with 37,000 students.

Describing a “typical” day is hard because this job is so multi-faceted.  You are the CEO of a large business – the UH System has a $3 billion impact on the area’s economy each year – and the chief educational administrator and a student advocate and a major fundraiser and a cheerleader and a community leader.  I wear many hats – and that’s what makes this position so demanding and so satisfying.  So … a “typical” day might start with early morning meetings with some of my vice presidents and other administration leaders, followed by my observing a class, followed by giving a luncheon speech to a civic organization then visiting with an international dignitary visiting our campus followed by an hour or two returning phone calls and e-mails and performing other office work then attending some sort of social or athletic event – sometimes both – during the evening. Back home, I will probably spend some time catching up on university-related reading.

How do you develop a relationship with the student body to ensure that you are addressing their concerns and remaining aware of the issues that they are being faced with at the University?

From my very first day at the university, I have made it clear that Student Success is my top priority and everything my administration does must support that commitment.  I think my official policies reflect that. But it’s also important to establish a personal connection, which is a challenge with a student body as large as ours.  I make it a point to maintain a relationship with our leaders in the student government association and other prominent student organizations as well as make myself available to the student newspaper. Beyond that, I visit a number of classes each semester – and drop in at places like the coffee shops and restaurants, the bookstore and the residence halls.

I am sure that a position of such magnitude and influence also comes with a lot of critics. How do you go about handling the criticism that you must deal with on a regular basis.

Criticism is unavoidable.  If you are not getting any, you are not doing anything.  If it is constructive criticism, I try to make good use of it.  If it is destructive, I try to ignore it.  The challenge, of course, is recognizing the difference.

What are some of the most unexpected obstacles you have been faced with and the greatest challenges you have had to overcome in order to reach the position you are in today?

One unexpected obstacle, if you can call it that, was my own reluctance to recognize my early aspirations to become a leader.  Giving myself permission to follow my ambition was not easy.  As for the greatest challenges I had to overcome… well, as an immigrant woman, I always have known that I had to work harder to climb the ladder.

In your article, Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling, you write about self-imposed barriers and the limits and misconceptions that sometimes come with Asian cultural heritage. Has your Indian upbringing ever given you an advantage at any point? Have you ever felt that you needed to resort to the values, traditions, and lessons from your youth to get you through a certain situation?

Always!  I have always viewed my Indian heritage as an advantage and have always used my values and lessons to form my leadership and management style.  The biggest mistake people make is to either hide or deny their own heritage.  People often label my leadership style as inclusive, people-oriented and consensus-building.  I believe it is the result of watching my mother navigate through multiple players in a joint family and eventually accomplish her agenda. As examples of my pride in my heritage:  I frequently use stories from Indian history and quotes and poems from Indian authors.  My fashion style is also a fusion of Indian and American styles.

Dr. Khator with her husband, Suresh Khator.

South Asian culture obviously places a large emphasis on family values, and many times an individual’s identity is greatly distinguished by their relationships and who they are to other people. As a mother, do you feel as though your children have contributed to your success? Are there certain lessons that they have taught you that have helped you along your journey?

My daughters are a big part of my life, both personally and professionally.  It always felt like we were all part of a team with each of us pushing others to achieve their maximum potential.  Today, they are my soul mates and brainstorming buddies when it comes to difficult situations.  They have certainly helped me grow socially and culturally.  They truly are my eyes when it comes to seeing the world of today’s youth. Their pride in me is an inspiration in itself.

If you could give one piece of advice to young South Asian-American women about anything, what would it be?

If you are going to dream – and everybody should dream – dream big.   If a teenage immigrant girl in an arranged marriage with no knowledge of English can become president of a major American university, who is to say you can’t achieve what you set out to do as well?

What is your favorite or most memorable experience you have had while being University President and University Chancellor?

I’m pleased to say there are so many to choose from, it’s a difficult question.  Certainly the investiture ceremony, which celebrated my appointment as president, is one of them.   Another was the voters of Texas approving an amendment that will make funding available for UH to become a Tier One, nationally competitive research university.  Watching the proud faces of 7,000 students being awarded their degrees at our latest commencement exercise was thrilling.  And, I must confess, UH being ranked in the country’s Top 25 football teams last season was very special, too.

You are a role model for scores of people of all different backgrounds. In your article, An Ode to my Mother, you graciously credit your mother for your success. Apart from your mother, do you have any other role models that have taught you valuable lessons to help you become the person you are today?

Without a doubt, my husband, Suresh, has been a beacon of wisdom and the architect of my career.  Beyond that, I have also received important guidance and support from my mentors in the academic arena.  I don’t think you can underestimate the benefits of having a mentor.

The magnitude of your position and the rigorous schedule it involves probably do not allow for much free time, but when you do have the occasional moment to yourself, what do you enjoy doing?

Practicing yoga.  Keeping up with my family and friends. Just taking a walk around the neighborhood. Cooking, when that’s possible.  As you say, there’s not much free time –fortunately, I find that most of what I do professionally is also very satisfying personally.

If you would like to read the full articles referred to in the interview, follow the links below:

Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: http://www.uh.edu/president/about/articles/pdf-files/Khator_ACE_bambooceiling.pdf.

Mother’s Day Special: An Ode to my Mother: http://getahead.rediff.com/report/2010/may/08/renu-khator-an-ode-to-my-mother.htm.
**correction to last post. Dr. Khator is not the first female president of a university in Texas. There have been a few before her. However, she joins a handful of amazing women who run universities across the US.

With the recent release of Bret Ratnor’s controversial movie ‘Kites the remix’ I though I’d throw in a few ‘cross cultural’ movies that every Indian-American girl should see.

5. Kites: the Remix

I haven’t seen the Remix yet but I have seen the original and I should begin by saying Hrithik Roshan and I are in love. Moving on, the movie is an interesting blend of cultures that hasn’t really been done before without being Indian soap opera dramatic. In the movie Hritik Roshan is wounded and dying in the desert and the sultry heroine arrives before I do therefore stirring up a forbidden love between the two. Their love story meets an action packed adventure resulting in a an action movie with love as the ultimate goal.

4. Monsoon Wedding

Mira Nair’s movie revolves around a large Punjabi family gathering from across the globe in order for their daughter’s wedding. The web becomes tangles when the bride to be in having an affair with a married man, stories of sexual abuse, forbidden love between casts, career pressure from parents, stress between family members, and much, much more. The tale is a bold and daring insight to how our culture is faced with modern issues but has a outdate moral code.

3. Namesake

The plot of this movie is based on the concept of people who struggle with balancing their lives as Indians and Americans. Mira Nair and Kal Penn are both extremely talented and the Bollywood/Hollywood cast is a refreshing change. Although the book is exponentially better than the movie, the general idea is still conveyed well in the movie. If you refuse to read then check out the movie, if you’re a nerd like me get this book yesterday.

2. Slumdog Millionaire

This movie defines the cross between Bollywood and Hollywood, directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later) it follows the story of a young boy who was thrown into the slums of India and his journey to eventually be a contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The whole story is extremely touching and superbly made but still provides you with the edge-of-your-seat drama that every movie go-er thrives for.

1. Three Idiots

Unfortunately, I don’t catch as many Bollywood movies as I could, but whenever Aamir Khan comes out with a new movie I’m pretty much in the theatre. Three Idiots is honestly one of the most refreshing and innovative movies that has ever come out of Bollywood. The story focuses on three engineering students who share a room at Imperial college of Engineering, one of the best colleges in India. Each of them has a different motive for attending the university with Aamir Khan’s character being a wealthy genius who is attending for the sheer passion of learning rather than to rank at the top of his class like the rest of the students. Beyond that I can’t tell you much more than it’s honestly one of the most original story lines I’ve entailed in Bollywood.

What do you think? Are there any other movies you would add to my list?

Honoarable Mentions: Bride and Predjudice and Mistress of Spices

Thank freakin’ goodness summer is finally here. For some of us that means countless hours basking in the sun and sitting poolside and for others it means summer internships. Where ever your summer takes you, here’s a list of the BG writers favorite songs Volume 1. Check them out and let us know what you think. Enjoy!

Farah

OMG by Usher ft. Will.i.am

Find your Love by Drake

Ride it by Jay Sean

CarryOut by Timbaland ft. Justin Timberlake

Fall in love by Estelle

Stop for a minute by Keane

Half of my Heart by John Mayer

To the Sea by Jack Johnson

California Girls by Katy Perry

Bulletproof by La Roux

Hey Soul Sister by Train

Airplanes by B.O.B Not Afraid by Eminem

Neethi

Eenie Meenie by Justin Beiber and Sean Kingston
Shark in the Water by V.V Brown
Your Love is Like a Drug by Ke$ha
Boys by Cheryl Cole

If We Ever Meet Again by Timbaland and Katy Perry
Me I Play by Robin Thicke
Daddy’s Home by Usher
I Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Michael Buble
Priya

Tighten Up by The Black Keys
Summer Romance by Incubus
Deadbeat Summer by Neon Indian

Take it Off by Ke$ha
The Sun Ain’t Shining No More by The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
Total Eclipse of the Heart byGlee cast (I know, totally dorky)
Cousins by Vampire Weekend
Ambling Alp byYeasayer

Married Life by Up SountrackThe Cave by Mumford & Sons
Tell ‘Em by Sleigh Bells
Komal

Impossible by Shontelle

I Like it by Enrique Inglesias/Pitbull

Gravity by John Mayer

Can’t be tamed by Miley Cyrus

Ridin Solo by Jason Derulo

Sway by Michael Buble

Feeling Good by Michael Buble

Everything by Michael Buble

Crazy little thing called love by Michael Buble
Aditi

Mykonos by Fleet Foxes

Heartbreak Warefare by John Mayer
Hot in Here by Nelly
Don’t let me fall by B.O.B.
Fall in Love by Ya Boy (feat. The Cataracs)

Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi
Dull Life by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Our Swords by Band of Horses
When Did Your Heart go Missing by Rooney
Reshma

The High Road by Broken Bells
Heavy Cross by the Gossip

Summertime by REM

Ottoman by Vampire Weekend

Paper Thin Walls by Modest Mouse

Fences by Phoenix

Alejandro by Lady Gaga

Jimmy by MIA

Time to Pretend by MGMT

When love takes over by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland

Nothin’ on You by B.O.B.

Sea of Love by Cat Power

The sounds of ringing phones, chattering voices and looming deadlines, that sounded suspiciously like the clicking of the spacebar key, wouldn’t leave me alone the last couple of days I was in Bombay. It was all for a college project that I needed to get done and I had immersed myself completely in the project, putting my family and friends in the backburner for those couple of months. While the two months were professionally challenging, I felt unbelievably tied down during that period. Tied down by being around my family, after living an independent life for many years; tied down by my “multicultural-ness” and the snide way that it was talked about by people that came from living in another country for a good part of my life; tied down by my large suitcases filled with things that I picked up everywhere I went, things that were now refusing to fit into the bag.

One of the last few days I was in the city, as I was getting back from work, it was raining heavily – the usual Bombay rain. After treading through calf-high water and getting completely and totally drenched, the 30-something cycle rickshaw I had stopped finally took pity on me and decided to drop me home. I rushed home with my useless umbrella over my head and got inside my nice, warm, if small, room and felt safe.

After drying myself off and getting myself a cup of chai, I looked out of my window and saw a familiar annoying pigeon sitting under it.

There are very few things in life that I encounter that I happen to detest at first sight. But these things, as few as they are, usually incite in me strong feelings – hate being an understatement. Pigeons, as far back as I can remember, have always been one of these few things that make me hate life in general.

I cannot stand pigeons. To me, they’re dirty, disgusting, filthy little creatures that exist to make my life hell. I thought I hated them before, but the hate escalated to whole new level recently. Over the summer, I developed an unbelievably intense negative reaction to the birds – especially since I was living in Mumbai, a city that has been infiltrated by them. They’re everywhere. When you wake up at 3 in the morning and you really need a smoke and you step outside and accidentally touch pigeon crap that has molded itself like second skin to the railing, you will tend to want to physically hurt these pigeons too. Especially if you have to pay extra money to have it cleaned up.

It doesn’t help that they practically live the life that I want to lead, and at that same moment, was dying to lead. They fly. I would kill to fly, to be able to take off on will – to not have to worry about tickets or passports or visas or laundry or buying beds and clothes; To take off an a whim and land up in a different place; To not have any ties to other people or places. They don’t belong to one place. They’re of the world – not of one country or two countries. They don’t have to keep defining themselves in terms of where they were born or where they lived for two years or what their accent is like.

They just go guttergoo and fly away.

I want to go guttergoo and fly away.

All of this negativity doesn’t just stem from being around pigeon crap – though that definitely contributes to it. I was personally at war with this pigeon in Bombay. He or she, lived right underneath my window and we’ve had problems ever since I moved into my room. I thought we got off to an okay start. I smiled – and it grunted and I thought we were good, but apparently it took to disliking me immediately.

It woke me up every morning at 6 am. Every morning. And every morning, without fail, I used to wake up in a rage and try to shoo it away. It would hop three steps away, just out of my reach and look at me mockingly. It would stand just out of my reach and cock it’s head to the side and look at me with a mocking expression that fit perfectly with those golden-brown eyes. I would growl in frustration and it would grunt at me merrily hoping from one foot to the other as I stared at it completely frustrated.

It’s as if it were telling me that I couldn’t do anything and it probably was in it’s own unaccented language.

Today, I stared at, willing it to disappear. I had absolutely no energy to fit with an extremely annoying pigeon, this time of day. I shooed it away like I always do and in the process looking a little crazy, and it hopped the same three steps that it always does. This time though, a big trickle of water poured down on its head and it hopped the three steps back.

I shooed at it again and it flinched and looked at me imploringly. I stared into the gold flecked eyes and determinedly shooed it away again, waving my hands closer. It hopped a step and the rain rushed down at it again and it hopped back, pleading me with its eyes.

I sighed and lit my cigarette and watched it as it courageously shifted closer to me, watching me cautiously the entire time. I’d given up  though -  that nice part of me that makes an appearance once in a while took over, and so I let it sidle up to me as much as it had the guts to.

I looked at it and it looked back at me and we shared a moment, to my disgust.

And we also shared a lesson, to my… more extreme disgust.

I looked at the chai in my hand that warmed me, the bed that would later serve to rest my tired body and the family and friends I had acquired through these non-wings that I had, that I could completely depend on and then I noticed the envious gold-flecked eyes that studied me intently, and the wings weren’t worth all that anymore.

I smiled at it grudgingly and shifted a little more so it could hop in closer and then sighed as I realized…

… that the most annoying part about this was that I had to learn all of this from a crap machine with gold flecked eyes.

God, I hate pigeons.

Recently, I was able to interview Anand Wilder, a member of the increasingly popular indie band Yeasayer. Wilder plays guitar, keyboards, and contributes to vocals as well. Yeasayer has a greatly unique sound and their recently released second album, Odd Blood, has been generally well received and praised throughout the music community. Spin Magazine, in a review for the album, described the music as a “masterful mash-up of ’80s synth pop and tribal-beat tickles,” among other things (like I said, pretty damn unique).

In a about a week, Yeasayer will begin an international tour after finishing up playing all over the US (and selling out many of the venues). Personally, I’m a huge fan of the band, and being able to ask Wilder a few questions about his life and his music was a great treat. Although, I had to remind myself to not get carried away with the whole fan-girl thing and ask dumb questions like “zomg, like, do you have a girlfriend???”

Check out the interview (he gives some really interesting answers), as well as the video and their website, www.yeasayer.net. At the website, you can download their single “O.N.E.” (for free!), as well as get updates and touring info.

PP: How did you get your start in music? Early influences?

AW: I have always been interested in music as long as I can remember. I started playing cello when I was 4 1/2, so I had all that classical music as an influence, but I always had a love affair with pop music. From an early age, I was obsessed with all of my mom’s classic rock, The Beatles, Dylan, Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Simon and Garfunkel. The first contemporary music I discovered on my own was stuff like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Beck, all that 90′s alt rock. My sister was really into TLC, Kriss Kross, Boyz II Men, so that was a big influence on me too. But it was really those rock bands that made me want to learn guitar, and in a totally different way than I had learned cello, all by ear, learning from friends in the hallways at school, or at summer camp around a campfire.

PP: Tell me a little bit about your background (you know — childhood, hopes, dreams, fears — typical life story stuff).

AW: I had a really happy childhood. I always loved performing, whether it was cello performances or school plays. I think I was just a big show off, still am. I always wanted to act or be a rock star.

PP: I know you have been touring regularly with the band these past few years — what has been your favorite city?

AW: I really loved touring in New Zealand and Australia. There are a few places that I never thought I’d enjoy, but have been pleasant surprises, and have become some of my favorite places to visit, like Austin, and Texas in general, and Minneapolis- the Walker Arts Center is a great modern art museum there. Of course LA and San Francisco area always fun to visit. Paris is great because I get to practice my french a little. Norway and Sweden are beautiful, and Italy and Spain are great fun too.

PP: And speaking of touring, how was Coachella? Did you have any favorite acts?

AW: I thought Fever Ray was amazing at Coachella. Great costumes, lighting, the sound was great, and I love her music.

PP: What do you think of South Asian artists who have also broken into indie/mainstream music success, like Natasha Khan (Bat for Lashes), M.I.A., and yourself? Is there a different responsibility or consciousness involved with being South Asian and a musician in an industry environment where there are so few?

www.pinkushion.com - Photograph by Pascal Amoyel

AW: I love M.I.A. and Natasha Khan’s music. I would add that Das Racist engage South Asian and “brown identity issues” in the most sophisticated and hilarious manner of any contemporary artists. Truthfully, I don’t feel a burden of responsibility as a South Asian musician in an industry where there are so few. I am half Indian, so if I want, I can identify with the multitude of ridiculously talented mixed breeds out there: James Brown is part Apache, Bob Marley’s dad was white, Prince is definitely something weird. And Freddie Mercury is the greatest singer of all time, and he’s a Parsi, born in India. But, I guess you could say that those first guys I mentioned identified themselves as Black, and Freddie Mercury did everything he could to play down the whole Asian thing and is remembered as a British pop star.  But then there’s still trailblazers like Tony Kanal from No Doubt and Kim Thayil from Soundgarden. One could argue that those were sidemen though, and that’s what so great about Natasha Khan and M.I.A.- their brown faces are front and center.

I’m sort of halfway there. I’m not the frontman, but I’m not exactly a sideman because I do sing lead on a bunch of our songs, and I really try to put myself out there. If I wasn’t singing lead on at least a few songs I’d be really disappointed in myself. But I really think that’s enough, as far as my burden of responsibility. Indians who live in America are not a downtrodden minority. I could write a song about being brown but I would feel like I’m bitching about something that doesn’t really upset me. It’s fine as a subject for stand up comedy, and I think there are a lot of great movies about Indians growing up in America that haven’t been written yet, but it just doesn’t appeal to me as a subject for a song.

The problems facing Indians in America are what? Parents pressuring their kids to become professionals, parents valuing academics over social lives, parents pressuring their kids to marry. When you think about it in the grand scheme of things, these problems are really not that bad! I’m pretty sure Indians are America’s wealthiest ethnic group – I think if I was fully Indian, statistically I’d be a richer man! At least more educated. So the only thing holding us back from being in the spotlight is ourselves. Sure there’s probably some institutional racism out there, but I’ve been around the world, and there’s no place as open as America. Europe is an ass-backward, old school place. Everyone who wanted to do something new and interesting with their lives left Europe for America at one time or another. Don’t let all that supposed progressiveness fool you, they’re xenophobic as hell. And I love to visit India, but come on – it is a dusty, corrupt, and chaotic country, with an even more despicable gap between the rich and poor than America’s. Did I mention the dust?!

I embrace being different from your average white musician. That’s part of what I love about my band; we all have different personalities or backgrounds and we try to throw them all into the mix to create something new and interesting sounding. If I can be onstage and inspire some brown kid out there to pursue something artistic, something other than being a doctor or engineer, then I’m doing a good job. And if they want be a doctor or an engineer, good for them! Less competition for me.

PP: What is the one instrument you would love to learn but don’t know how to play?

AW: I would love to actually know how to play the piano.

PP: Do you get groupies? What is the fan-base like? Any crazies?

AW: We have some crazy fans that we sometimes have to kick out of the backstage when they come creeping in. But so far nobody’s been that crazy. We don’t have bodyguards yet…

PP: What is the most embarrassing thing in your iPod right now? Quick! No time for thinking — only first reactions count.

AW: Coldplay

PP: What is your opinion on the state of the music industry today? Has the internet hindered or helped Yeasayer and other indie bands?

AW: I don’t think we would exist without the internet.  I don’t think Yeasayer would have had the same rise without the exposure and support of bloggers, or webzines, or youtube. The internet was our first press, our first video, our first live recordings. The record industry is a sinking ship, especially the major labels, because of illegal file sharing and their unwillingness to cater to the shifting paradigm of how people access music. There’s this democratization in the music industry, where Independent labels can have as much sway as the Majors, and a small unsigned band can have nearly as much cultural significance as a huge pop act, if their music video or song becomes a meme.

So this shift is a good thing, but it also hurts record sales, which means in order to make a living, I have to tour my ass off. Now touring can be fun, and of course I’m grateful that people want to see my band play, but it’s difficult to make long term life and family plans when the only way you can make a living is if you’re away from home for half your life. So it’s a double edged sword I guess. I wouldn’t exist without the internet, but the internet will eventually destroy me.

PP: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians/artists?

AW: Work hard, play live as much as possible, try to sound as unique as you can, wear something interesting onstage.

PP: If you weren’t part of a pretty kick-ass band right now, you’d be…?

AW: Working some crappy job and struggling to make people notice how amazing my unsuccessful band is.

PP: What’s the last song that was playing in your head/iPod/general vicinity?

AW: Ken Seeno’s unreleased album

PP: Favorite genre of movies? And do you have a Bollywood fave?

AW: I don’t have a favorite genre, different genre for different moods. Bollywood fave is Sholay for sure. (PP: Mine too! zomg)

PP: And finally, what is the one thing you miss from being a teenager?
AW: My mom’s cooking!

*band photography – Alexander Wagner

Naeem Khan’s gorgeous designs have graced the likes of Beyonce, Michelle Obama, and Carrie Underwood (to name a few of the rockin’ women who have embraced Khan’s dresses). Saying his gowns are gorgeous seems like an understatement.

Khan grew up in India where he worked closely with this grandfather and father in the textile industry. According to Khan’s website, his father and grandfather were both well known in India for designing and dressing royal families.

Khan’s designs usually include bright fabrics with intricate embroidery, a unique and beautiful way to incorporate his background into his designs.  His designs are handcrafted and can take weeks to complete. During the Obama Administration’s state dinner for the Indian Prime Minister and his wife, Michelle Obama wore a jaw dropping Khan design. The dress itself took over 40 people and 3 weeks to make!

Recently, BG sat down with Iram Zaidi, the Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Profound Aesthetic. The hip young t-shirt company had recently caught our eye not only for its fashionable tees, but for do-good attitude.

According to Zaidi, Profound Aesthetic is a clothing brand designed to inspire and spark innovation as a creative outlet of expression delivered through the universal language of art on a “t-shirt”. Each piece is carefully designed by the staff to be visually appealing and also present a positive message.

“[The brand] renders a positive message, pushing the limits of intellectual creativity and at the same time fitting an eclectic taste in fashion, suitable for every citizen of humanity,” said Zaidi of Profound Aesthetic’s goals as a business and design company.

The Company began as a collaborative effort between Zaidi, her brother Faraz Zaidi, and her cousin Nabil Zaidi while driving back from a road trip from Chicago in 2007.

“With seventeen hours to kill, a lot of topics  came up and we somehow stumbled upon a general consensus: there is a serious lack of substance in the t-shirt market and we were going to make that change,” said Zaidi.

Profound Aesthetic was officially founded in August of 2008 after the team found a name they all loved.  After that, the pieces seemed to fall into place. Zaidi purchased the domain name, developed the website, and began marketing the brand through Myspace and Facebook. Their first tee, “Peace By Piece” started it all.

“When Ferdinand Porsche, founder of Porsche couldn’t find a car that fit what he was seeking in an automobile, he built his very own. That was our precise motive behind Profound Aesthetic. The three of us are a team of artists, graphic designers, musicians, philosophers, photographers,  and thinkers who are driven by the idea of every individual regardless of race or creed, status or disposition, to be able to pick up a shirt and wear it with pride and appreciate it for its message,” said Zaidi.

Profound Aesthetic is a three person team in which every person contributes their own talents. The respective roles have been distributed to ensure that every aspect of the company’s goals is covered even though. Even then, their roles overlap.

“Essentially, Faraz is the President and designer, turning our vision and concept into a reality by developing a design that is then printed onto a t-shirt. Nabil is the Marketing Director and mainly keeps us informed of any sort of events that will be beneficial to us. In addition to that, he has a “street team” of students from all over the country that help in distribution of flyers and marketing pieces. Lastly, I take care of every aspect of the business from booking events, to taking care of e-commerce orders through our online store, to customer relations, to sales and expanding Profound Aesthetic into retailers all across the globe.”

Faraz, a graduate from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University and a top notch graphic designer that has worked with fortune 500 companies develops all the graphics from scratch. However, many new design concepts are a collaborative effort. Each design has its own story from where the idea come from and how it came to fruition.

“The “Create the Sound” tee was a concept developed after  watching a Spike Lee movie from the early 90′s. We discussed the transitioning of how the creation of music has evolved over the years. It was certainly an epiphany; a keyboard on Nabil’s shoulders as a visual to this magnificent concept. Nabil was the model, I did the photography and Faraz turned it into a graphic. It was magical and a true example of our collaborative efforts,” said Zaidi.

Other design concepts have even been developed by their fans. The “Universal Tee” was developed when Profound Aesthetics did a show in Washington D.C. and a fan handed the team over a piece of paper with the quote “you can bomb the world to pieces, but you can’t bring peace with bombs”.

“We loved the quote! Not to mention it used Peace and Piece like our very  first shirt. We went home, brainstormed and designed a shirt with the universal symbol of peace resting on the bottom corner of the t-shirt. The next day, our email was full of orders!” said Zaidi.

The young company has grown tremendously in the past year and sells its designs throughout the world. Even, Zaidi finds it hard to believe the Company only sold its first shirt November 2008. For the 2010 collection, Profound Aesthetic is looking into even more designs, introducing a premium denim line, winter attire such as cardigans, sweatshirts, jackets and accessories as well as an expanded women’s line.

“At times I am astonished at the progression we have made and I strongly feel that it is due to our tremendous passion and  love for what we do, along with the beauty of present day technology and a solid plan for success. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that we will achieve our aspired goals and it certainly feels amazing when I am reminded of that at every point in my day as I get notifications of purchases on my blackberry from all over the world,” said Zaidi.

Just a short visit to the Profound Aesthetic’s website and you can see why they have had their success. Their shirts are unique and stylish and present a design that’s beautiful and thought provoking. Their best selling shirt, the “Peace by Piece” tee, presents a fun play on words and simplicity of design. The shirt appeals to all, men and women, regardless or race, gender, and ethnicity.

” A great deal of thought is put into each and every design to ensure that it is purely unique and unlike anything. We take an enormous amount of pride in creating the most creative and penetrating designs that exceed anything else that is out in today’s market. We were simply sick and  tired of designs with absolutely no substance or meaning and a t-shirt  in recent years has become a great method of expression and art. It was our perfect opportunity to make a difference.”

To learn more about Profound Aesthetic visit them at http://profoundaesthetic.com/.  Keep up with all their events and networking initiatives through their “I AM PROFOUND” Magazine Blog, facebook, and twitter.