Harvin and Tak – Taking it to the next level


Project collaborations, of all sorts, are nothing new in the entertainment industry. It happens all the time. To witness a collaboration between a comedian and musician is rare. One would think, “What could a comedian and a musician collaborate on together?” The answer? Just look to former Hollywood Laugh Factory comedian/actor, Harvin Sethi, and Styles of Beyond/Fort Minor member, Takbir Bashir (a.k.a. Tak). Once you see them work and perform together, you will clearly see how it is possible. Together, the two men bring a new meaning to innovation, creative and talent.

Asiance caught up with the two to find out more about who they are, what they have been working on, together and individually, and how their collaboration has been taking their careers to the next level.

ASIANCE: First and foremost, it’s been a few years since I’ve seen the both of you. I believe we saw each other last at a magazine party in L.A. in 2006? How have you two been?

Harvin and Tak: We have been great! Thanks for asking! We’ve just been busy collaborating on several different music and comedy projects.

ASIANCE: For those who don’t know, how did you two meet?

Harvin and Tak: Aiiight, well here’s the quick and dirty. Usually summed up in one word: Synchronicity. Tak was performing with the group Fort Minor at NBC studios at the Carson Daly show, and through some serendipitous events, Harvin was not only at the studios, but also at the taping of the performance, and the two met. To make things a tad sillier, the exact same thing happened the next day at The Jimmy Kimmel Show at ABC. And since then it’s just been a growing relationship, artistically and bro-mantically.

Harvin at The Laugh Factory. Pretty funny!

ASIANCE: Both of you are in the entertainment industry, but have different kinds of jobs. Harvin, you’re a comedian/actor, and Tak, you’re a musician. Can you talk about the projects you two are collaborating on?

Harvin: Well, first Tak and I collaborated on several comedic/music video shorts with his character, Uncle Ramesh, who garnered some traction online.

Tak: I just recently finished recording my new album entitled “Theory of Addicts,” with my partner Josy B. My first single “Reveriez” will be released June 22nd. Harvin and I’s collaboration right now is focusing on the same cross promotional video shorts, but now we’re basically bringing that comedy and music element live on stage.

ASIANCE: Do you two feel it’s hard at times to find projects to collaborate on since you two have different professions within the industry?

Harvin and Tak: Not at all, in fact we feel they both go hand in hand. Music and comedy have always shared a close relationship in the history of entertainment, so we feel we are just bringing a fresh new perspective to that. Kind of like when the maxi pad with wings came out.

ASIANCE:In regards to the few performances you two have already done together, what is it like to perform together and to work together?

Tak: One word. Euphoria.

Harvin: Seven words. I have to go to the bathroom.

ASIANCE: Correct me if I’m wrong, but I hear you two have or are about to collaborate on a song? Can you talk more about that?

Harvin and Tak: Yes, in fact we are in the preliminary stages of creating various musical projects right now. One of them being an overseas performance in India, that will feature collaborations with prominent Indian and international artists and some non-profit organizations.

ASIANCE: Besides working together, what are each of you doing individually, in terms of your career?

Tak: Right now I’m focusing heavily on promoting my new project and preparing for international tours.

Harvin: I’ve got several film/cartoon projects in development, and am still performing stand up comedy at various spots around the country. Pari and I have also opened up a film studio in the California Bay area (Silicon Valley Studios) where we produce films, shorts, music videos, and commercials through Pari’s production company Paridym Pictures.

ASIANCE: When can we see you perform together next?

Harvin and Tak: We have a few shows pending for the end of June through the first week of July. You can check for updates online at our Facebook group, RibKat Music, or any of our other personal social networking sites (i.e., twitter.com/harvinsethi, twitter.com/ribkat, and Myspace).

ASIANCE: Harvin, how has the journey been since entering the entertainment industry, from being a stand-up comedian at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory to where you are now?

Tak: Harvin, don’t you have a check that’s been waiting there for 2 years?

Harvin: Yes. Anyway, It’s been quite the journey. I feel like I’ve just completed my first lap on this metaphorical track of the entertainment industry. So on this next time around, you could say I’m pacing myself better, and have learned a lot. I’ve had an awesome time seeing my dreams unfold in front of me, acting in some fun commercials, traveling the country doing comedy, recording a season for an upcoming cartoon, finally getting into music through singing, rhyming and producing… and negotiating for some exciting feature film projects. I also have a vested interest in philanthropy, and feel that through my art and reach I can hopefully accomplish a lot more of my dreams.

ASIANCE: Tak, you’ve been in the industry for a long time now, since the days of Styles of Beyond to Fort Minor to doing your own projects. How has the journey been for you?

Tak: The journey has been phenomenal. I was blessed to travel the world, and perform for thousands of people in other countries, which has always been a life long dream of mine. I have grown tremendously and learned a lot from my experiences. My greatest accomplishment to date as an artist was producing and writing every song on my new album, so for the first time in my career I can finally embark on a journey of my own and have full creative control of my destiny’s child.

Harvin: Throw your hands up at me Tak.

ASIANCE: To each of you, what are your thoughts these days about more and more Asians and Asian-Americans becoming familiar faces in mainstream U.S. entertainment?

Tak: I think it’s a wonderful thing because music is for the world and I feel there are no boundaries. My main goal for the creation of the new record was to unify different cultures with world music, and that’s something I would like to see a lot more of. I’ve had a lot of great support from the Asian market both in the states and overseas. I plan to return to Asia soon to promote my new project because every time I go there I have the time of my life and it feels great to share such an amazing experience with some of the most respectful and loyal fans.

Harvin: It’s definitely great to see the Asian arts world make strides and receiving acclaim (i.e., the Slumdog Millionaire phenomenon). If anything I think it will continue to open doors and allow more artists to feel comfortable creating original and unique art without having to conform to stereotypes and public demand. Instead they will feel comfortable injecting their personal and cultural experiences into their work.

Thanks, Tanya, for speaking with us! Yahtzee!

One thought on “Harvin and Tak – Taking it to the next level

  • I love Remember the Name and Where’d you go!! can’t wait till they make more music!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *