Raaginder

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Raaginder
ਰਾਗਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ
Birth nameRaaginder Singh Momi
Also known asViolinder (former)
BornNovember 27, 1992
Bangkok, Thailand
OriginHayward, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Songwriter
  • Music producer
  • Violinist
  • Singer
  • Composer[1]
InstrumentsViolin · vocals ·
Years active2004–present
LabelsRaaginder · WinWin Records
Associated actsFateh · Raxstar · Marcus Orelias · Sodhivine
Websiteraaginder.com

Raaginder Singh Momi (/ɹɔɚɡdɝ/; Punjabi: ਰਾਗਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮੋਮੀ; born November 27, 1992) better known by his stage name raaginder is a Union City, California based violinist, music producer and songwriter of Punjabi Sikh descent. His professional music career began in 2011 when he released his first mixtape Take One... on December 11, 2011, following up with his debut studio album Beach Chair on October 29, 2014[2] and later his first EP, escape released December 28, 2017.[3][non-primary source needed]

Early life and career[]

Born into a musical family, Raaginder's father being a professional sitar player and his mother being a vocalist,[4] Raaginder was exposed to different types of music.[5] He first started playing violin when he was 11 years old. Later in 2004, he became a disciple of a renowned Indian classical artist, after his father found an ad of her in India Currents Magazine and discovered she was teaching in Fremont, California, becoming Chowdhury's pupil, Raaginder has been under her guidance ever since. Being exposed to different types of music, Raaginder has experimented and tried playing different genres of music such as Hip-Hop, Punjabi, Indian classical and more. After high school, Raaginder began producing beats and infusing genres to create his sound. Doing covers, he would post his covers to download sites like mediafire until encouraged to post on YouTube. He cites YouTube as helping to jump start his career.[6]

Raaginder has also played the United States national anthem for the Los Angeles Clippers[7][non-primary source needed][8][non-primary source needed][9] and played at the White House on numerous occasions.[10][11][12][non-primary source needed] In the wake of the 2016 elections, Raaginder also stated his opinion on the outcome.[13]

Music[]

Sound, Image, and Name

In an interview with NBC News[14] Asia, Raaginder stated about his musical sound, "Music can be interpreted in any way. I try to make music that's universal to every aspect ...the one obvious message is my identity. I want my identity to be known with my music. This turban and beard, I feel like, is a big part of why I am where I am today. So even though I'll do a 'Hotline Bling' cover, the fact that there's aspects of the music that are foreign and even the aspects of me – the way I look – I think that makes a difference because it's something people haven't seen, and it's something people need to see."

In an interview with Brown Girl Magazine, Raaginder stated; "the neighborhood I lived in and the school I went to was primarily Latino and Black. Due to that, the first genre of music I was drawn to when I moved to America was hip-hop. Hip-Hop was the gateway for me to be relatable to the other students. Everyone around the school knew all of the hits word for word and I started picking it up as well. I know it was a shock to many kids around me that a little-turbaned boy from Asia listened to rap on the regular. Around the same time, I had started to learn the violin (in the classical and Indian classical tradition). Although Indian classical violin was completely left field from hip-hop, they both instilled resiliency and confidence in me which allowed me to defend myself and be comfortable in my own skin. What started as a tool to connect with others, ended up becoming my identity over the years. It got to the point where a couple of my friends started calling me “Violinder.”[15]

Personal life[]

In 2014 Raaginder's mother passed away from cancer. He sites her as his main inspiration for actively pursuing music.[16] The song "Raindrops" from his studio album Beach Chair was dedicated in her honor. Raaginder is also the eldest of two children.

Raaginder also studied at the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in world music performance.[17]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

  • Beach Chair (2014)
  • (2020)

EPs[]

  • escape (2017)

Mixtapes[]

  • Take One... (2011)

Singles[]

Promotional and Album Singles
Year Title Album
2014 Dhlona Ve (Feat. Tina Mann) Beach Chair
2014 Raindrops
2014 Bonfire/Coastin' (Feat. Sodhivine & KinG!)[18]
2017 Mind Right escape
2018 Mirage (Feat. Dalbir Singh)

Features[]

Year Title Album
2013 Naiem – Henna Girl (Feat. Raaginder)
2013 Marcus Orelias – Katie's Requiem (Feat. Vinnie Anastasia & Raaginder) [prod. by Felly] Rebel of the Underground
2014 Tanu Arora – Mahi Ve (Cover) (Feat. Raaginder)
2014 Blossoms Interlude (Feat. Raaginder)
2015 Echoes (Feat. Raaginder)
2015 Bliss (Feat. Penn Masala, Kavita Seth & Raaginder)
2015 Lean On / Jind Mahi (Mashup) (Feat. Ricky Jatt, Raashi Kulkarni & Raaginder)
2015 PARLOQUE x TOMFW (Feat. Raaginder)
2015 Mud Aaja (Come Back) (Feat. Violinder)
2016 Fateh – 100 Bande (Feat. Raaginder) Bring It Home

Music videos[]

As Main Artist and Featured
Year Title Album
2014 Dholna Ve (Feat. Tina Mann) Beach Chair
2014 Raindrops
2014 Bonfire/Coastin' (Feat. Sodhivine & KinG!)
2016 100 Bande (Feat. Raaginder) Fateh – Bring It Home
2017 Mind Right escape
2018 Mirage (Feat. Dalbir Singh)
2019 Butterflies Single
2019 Inferno Single
2019 Summer Nights (Feat. Wisechild) Single
2020 Echoes Single
2020 Fade Away Single

Voice Over[]

Year Title Role
2017 20s A Difficult Age[19] Citizen (uncredited)

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Janiak, Lily. "Too many parts in 'The Parting'". San Francisco Chronicle. SF Chronicle. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "Violinder releases his second album 'Beach Chair'". Chakdey.com. Chakdey.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  3. ^ Momi, Raaginder. "escape". Twitter. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Radio, Vinyasoul. "Vinyasoul Interview Sessions: Raaginder". Vinyasoul Radio. Retrieved April 3, 2018 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ Kaurista, Miz. "THEY CALL ME VIOLINDER". kaurista.com/. kaurista.com. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  6. ^ Des1 Media, Product of Culture. "1Des Media: Raaginder Interview". Retrieved April 3, 2018 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "Next up at #ActToChange is our final performer @violinder". Twitter. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  8. ^ "WATCH @raaginder played national anthem to 19,000 at @LAClippers game + TV viewers. Sikh Awareness Month". Twitter. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  9. ^ "Los Angeles Clippers Host Second Annual Sikh Awareness Basketball Game". sikhnet.com. India. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  10. ^ Pancholy, Malik. "Engaging Artists, Community Leaders, and Youth to #ActToChange Against Bullying in Los Angeles". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved October 30, 2016 – via National Archives.
  11. ^ "White House Performance(Excerpt)- Raaginder "Violinder"- Raag Bhairavi". Retrieved April 17, 2016 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "So good to hear from @violinder". Twitter. White House AAPI. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  13. ^ Ding, Kevin. "Not Easy for NBA Players to Focus on the Game in Wake of Stunning Election". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  14. ^ "From Classical Music to 'Hotline Bling,' Meet the Sikh American Violinist Creating 'Universal Music'". NBC NEWS. NBC NEWS. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  15. ^ "How Raaginder 'Violinder' Overcame Adversity to March to the Tune of his Own Violin". browngirlmagazine.com. Brown Girl Magazine. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  16. ^ Thomas, Mae. "Maed in India". podtail.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  17. ^ "About". raaginder.com. raaginder. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  18. ^ "Raginder "Violinder" feat. Sodhivine & KinG! – Bonfire/Coastin'". The Times of India. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  19. ^ "Marcus Orelias – 20s A Difficult Age Credits". Discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved July 31, 2021.

External links[]

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