The Real Raj
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Raj is one of the musicians in Southampton that I have known the longest. I met him around 2004 when I had been regularly attending The Candle Club, the popular weekly open mic at The Talking Heads. It was Raj’s first open mic.

From the first time I met and heard Raj I was absolutely overwhelmed by his voice, songwriting ability and genuinely modest and humble nature. We became close friends and I booked him for many shows over the following years. Raj has had a constant presence on Southampton’s music scene and I have had the pleasure of seeing his unique style of songwriting develop over the last 16 years.

I have admired him as a friend and an artist over these years. He has always been an incredibly reliable artist. I can’t remember a single time when he hasn’t played a show I have asked him to perform at. Whether he’s had a cold or had to rearrange his plans he has always turned up and delivered a smashing set.

When it comes to writing songs Raj is the most prolific songwriter I have met. It has long been a running joke of ours whenever we meet when he says “I have a new song to play you” and yet most of the time he has several new songs written. It has become a trademark of his to play with a tambourine at his feet. He is a multi instrumentalist switching between ukulele, mandolin and acoustic guitars. He often plays songs that combine harmonica and kazoo too.

His style is individual and completely unique. His songs range from delicate folk songs with lyrics that tell inspiring stories to catchy foot-stomping blues numbers that make you get up on your feet and sing along. Songs that stay with you and you find yourself singing in your head for weeks and months later.

So this recording is personally special to me. Since I have known Raj I have constantly encouraged him to get his songs recorded, mainly to back up my belief that he will inspire and move people equally as much as I have been inspired and moved by his music. To this day and to my knowledge he hasn’t recorded or released any of his songs.

So needless to say, when he agreed to record a version of Tricks I was ecstatic.
He recorded this at Blackhill Studios with producer Tom Gibson. It was a proud moment and emotionally moving for me to watch and hear him record, his wonderful version of this song. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart and I hope that this is just the beginning of his recording journey and it isn’t the last we will hear from him. I’ll keep nagging him 😉

Raj frequently plays live shows and I fully recommend that you go and see him. I am honoured to play alongside him and Jack Dale for a unique music show we do called Three Guys One Egg so keep an eye out for those.

For now here is Raj’s rare and stunning version of Tricks.