A coming-of-age for Dameer
Recent times have truly been a coming-of-age story for 21-year-old Dameer, who is winning hearts with songs like "Amar Jaan", "Bashbo Bhalo", "Sun", "Michelle" and more. From a very young age, he has lived and breathed music, and now that his songs are internationally acclaimed on various mediums, he also faces scrutiny for every step he takes. We talk to the young musician ahead of his first solo concert on December 14.
You're becoming a star in a generation where the art of doing music is vastly different. Do you have a gameplan?
I want to push Bangladeshi music forward. I want to make it easier to become an artist as a Bangladeshi. As it stands now, you have to fight for your right to be an artist in most cases.
Honestly need more diversity in our music. We need more voices, more styles, many Bangladeshis do not feel represented (and therefore emotionally connected) to a lot of our current music. Fortunately, it has never been easier to produce, engineer and distribute music, so I am expecting many new faces to show up in the scene.
You have a solo concert at ICCB on Wednesday, which is amazing for someone your age. What do you expect from it?
I expect people to have the time of their lives. The people can expect a massive production with not only their favorite songs, but some new songs, new visuals, new fashion pieces and more. We're not just here for the Bangladeshis at home, but all over the world.
Talk to us about your upcoming releases.
I have more Bangla music coming up, plus some songs that explore a more grand, upbeat, 'dancey' vibe. I want to make summer anthems as much as I want to make indie ballads. After seeing "Bashbo Bhalo" do so well, I have been writing in Bangla so much more. I've just been waiting for the right time to show it, and what better time than at the ICCB in front of thousands.
A recent video of you went viral, where you sang "Amar Jaan" a bit off tune during your performance. Does it bother you?
Not at all. I sung off-tune because that was my first ever live performance and when I heard everyone singing the words to "Amar Jaan", I started crying. I am not ashamed of this at all and everyone who was there at that show will tell you that the atmosphere in the room was electric. We all had a great time. I'd rather show than tell, so I ask everyone who doubts my abilities to come to my show on the 14th and see for themselves what the hype is about. The fact is that I have the most wonderful, compassionate fanbase and I know they're going to come to my show with the most positive energy, so I am not bothered by this at all.