Ivan Singh: The Argentinian Bluesman with an Indian Lineage

The musician, who has his roots in Punjab, marked his India debut at last month's Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai

- DAVID BRITTO

A head of his debut gig in india at the Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai this weekend, we caught up with U.S.-based Argentinian blues artist Ivan Singh and talked to him about his country winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, how he got into blues music, his India connect and more. 

Before I get into your music, I wanted to ask you about your thoughts on your country’s big achievement this past December.

I wasn’t there, but I know how it was. It was a party and was something that Argentina needed so badly. Argentina is nothing but football. It’s not been great years. The last 10 years of the country, our economy and politicians… at some point it might be one of the reasons why I looked for a better place. I was just traveling around the world too before I got to Chicago. Things are not getting better [in Argentina] and for one day or two days or something, people can forget about everything. Everyone was hanging out on the street. Five million people got out to celebrate Argentina as world champions and I think of how [Lionel] Messi inspired the people after trying four times in 16 years to get this cup and keep persevering, keep going even when the people say don’t play for Argentina. He keeps going. He gets his family straight to the stage. I love [Diego] Maradona too, but I’m happy the Argentinian kind of male idol idea changed too because he’s [Messi] inspiring. We all can be Messi in our life, we just need to try to keep going and do the best we can, and don’t let things get you down. Just try to become better and work as a team. I think Argentina this time had a good team. There was not only Messi. It was happiness and I think it was a bigger message for the perspective of life. So, I’m super happy Argentina are world champions.