Thaindian News

By Ruchika Kher
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Bollywood and Indian music are often discussed in Hollywood and are slowly becoming a rage, say members of popular American band Backstreet Boys.

“Bollywood is constantly mentioned in Hollywood. Indian music is very influential and is slowing becoming a rage in the US. Even Indian movies are big there like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’,” Nick Carter, a band member, told IANS in an interview during a trip to India.

The band is even open to an Indian association, if they like the music.

“We are always on the lookout for something new. If it makes an impact on our vision, we are open to any collaboration,” said Carter.

The artists were in India to participate in the Romanov Red Rock ‘n India music festival, which was held in the capital and Bangalore last weekend. They belted out their all time hits at the shows.

When asked how they were feeling on Indian soil, Dorough replied: “This is our first trip here and we are so happy to be here. Hopefully, we will be back soon with our own show.”

Formed in 1993 in Orlando, Florida, Backstreet Boys originally had five members - A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. However, in 2006 Richardson left the group to pursue other interests.

The band, which has released seven albums so far, created a place for themselves in the music industry with hit numbers like “Everybody”, “Quit playing games”, “As long as you love me” and “I want it that way”.

So how easy has it been to stay united, especially after 17 years of being together?

“We have a really good bond. We are a family. This is what we are supposed to be doing and we enjoy it. So splitting up never occurred even though we have been together for 17 years now,” said A.J.

Talking about their last album, “This Is Us”, Carter said it spelt quality.

“Our new album has some of our best works that we have done in a long time. Last few years we were in a discovery process and this album has captured all the hard work that we have been doing in the last five-six years.

“The material we have on that album is really quality material. The entire album is our sound, what we represent. It’s a kind of a get back on your feet album,” he said.