THE VOICE

Rhythm vocalist Loire Cotler, whose haunting vocals in the Dune franchise made her a household name, talks to Tanzim Pardiwalla about her Indian connection and more...

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"I'm so pleased to meet you," I tell Loire Cotler. But I'm looking at a blank screen. The American rhythm vocalist is somewhere in Dubai and informs me she doesn't have a video setup for our early morning call. In a way, it feels fitting. The musician may not be the most famous face out there but her voice sparks instant recognition. She is, after all, the voice of the Dune Suite.

When her iconic chant fills the soundscape of Denis Villeneuve's acclaimed films, it's impossible not to feel the goosebumps. Loire seems unaware of the effect she has on millions of moviegoers. She isn't on social media and makes a concerted effort to drown out the noise when she's at work, most of which involves jamming with stalwarts like Hans Zimmer. It's particularly interesting that she has made her Bollywood debut with Sonu Sood's Fateh, a cyber-crime thriller. Over the next half an hour, Cotler takes me through her process, what rhythm means to her and her fondness for the late Zakir Hussain. Excerpts:

Tell us about your connection with Indian music...

I have to mention something that's happened recently. I don't want to get too sad but because I'm a rhythmist and rhythm vocalist who has been studying Konnakol, the art of vocal percussion from South India, specifically the Carnatic tradition, this is something that resonates deeply with me. Zakir Hussain passed away recently. I knew him.

It's an especially moving moment for the global musical community. I just want to take a moment to honour him and celebrate his soul journey.

He inspired all of us.

Throughout my journey, I've been following him.