Montreal’s emerging talent Balkirat just released his dynamic new single “Fire in the Mind.” Following his earlier release, “Hourglass,” the Punjabi-Canadian artist showcases his vocal prowess in this indie rock ballad.
Self-produced and co-crafted with Sunny Diamonds and Taabu, the track kicks off with captivating drums, setting the stage for Balkirat’s heartfelt rendition.
Review
“Fire In The Mind” kicks off with a powerful, rocking beat that instantly grabs the listener’s attention. The song not only rocks hard but also encapsulates the spirit of unwavering determination and the chase for dreams.
The lyrics highlight a fiery determination burning deep within, expressing intense passion and unstoppable drive. The recurring phrase “You could have fooled me” adds a fascinating twist, hinting at a clash between what seems true and the actual reality of the situation.
Fear and vulnerability are delicately threaded into the story, with lines such as “terrified” and “scared of losing control.” These moments of raw emotion add a human touch to the energetic melody, revealing the internal battles that frequently accompany the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Overall, with its infectious beat, passionate lyrics, and a touch of skepticism, this track stands out as a compelling anthem that speaks to the challenges and triumphs of pursuing one’s dreams.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, my name is Balkirat, I am a singer and producer from Montreal, Quebec. I make a mix of Alternative, rock, indie, and R&B but I personally don’t like categorizing my music, I just try to make something good!
You have unveiled your new single, “Fire in the Mind.” Tell us a bit about the writing process behind the release.
“Fire in the Mind” was written a couple of weeks after I quit my corporate job. I was making good money but didn’t feel necessarily fulfilled. I felt trapped because I needed the funds to invest in my music, but at the same time had to commit to a world that did not speak to me. Every 2 weeks I got paid, and my hatred for the job would go away, but after 2 and a half years I asked myself if  I could do this for another 2.5 years and not progress in life.Â
I wrote the song based on the doubts I had in myself and the questions I asked myself before quitting such as “If I quit will I really become a full-time artist? Or is that just a delusion?” These questions didn’t come from me I think, these were thoughts in my mind-insecurities if you will- that I had given power to, to the point where I almost gave up my artistry. I quit, but a lot of people don’t. And that’s why j thought this song would be important, to make people realize their potential, and that everything you think about, is just your thoughts. You are the captain of your life.
You worked with Sunny Diamonds and Taabu on the release. How was that experience?
They are both mentors in my mind. I’ve never really had any before because I work alone in my basement studio, and have always worked alone. But having the chance to work with talented and experienced people like them, elevated my confidence and knowledge. I may have been a little annoying with all the questions I asked whenever they did anything, but that’s just how I learned. I didn’t want to be ignorant of the fact that I was around people who could teach me so much if I just spoke with them.
Furthermore, being able to hand them over my project and let them work on it, allowed me to explain ideas I had that I couldn’t personally achieve alone, which was very beneficial to the potential of the song.
Being self-produced, what aspects of the production process did you find most rewarding or challenging?
My brain composes ideas that I cannot physically always capture myself. The biggest challenge in my opinion was to convince people of the scale of the idea. If I showed you the first-ever demo I composed of “Fire in the Mind,” it sounds like shit compared to what it is now. BUT, needless to say, the essence of it was always there. I stepped out of my comfort zone and started working with other collaborators on this track which was truly an experience. I hired a bassist to re-record the basslines, asked my guitarist to record the acoustic sections, and experimented with different mixing engineers, and different versions of the song. I was open to anything, because the more you try, the more likely you’ll find success somewhere I believe.
What’s your favourite thing about being a musician in Montreal?
Here’s a question I’m not so sure how to answer haha. Not that there isn’t anything good about being a musician from Montreal, but I’ve just never really asked myself that.
I would say that the diversity is a beautiful thing in Montreal. Not saying other cities don’t have that, but Montreal is very small in comparison to other larger Canadian cities. So you’re closer to people even when you walk on the streets of downtown. I’m not saying it’s easier to convince people of your talents, but for me, it’s more like I can learn about so many people and cultures from a much smaller pool of people. I tend to write and compose based on how I feel, but also how I perceive others and what I’ve learned from them. So Montreal is a great place for that, amongst many other things.Â
Last but not least, what inspired you to transition from being a licensed accountant to pursuing a career as a singer and producer?
So correction: I don’t really know if I can pass as a “licensed accountant” but I studied accounting and business before trying other stuff. After my studies were done, my natural path would have been to work in an accounting firm, and then if I wanted to, proceed with the exam that would make me a licensed accountant.
Regardless, I’ve always been a musician/artist. Even when I was studying in college all I did when I got home was work on my EP or singles to release. I was a really good student too, and probably would have made a killer accountant. But forget all that. I want to make music and live off of that, and I’ll make it work no matter the challenges.
Last note to add, I’m happy to have studied business for, if you spend enough time talking to people in the music industry, you’ll soon realize that everyone is a business person!
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