Music

Hargo and the Rock Band

It's not an everyday occurrence when a father pulls his son out of college and tells him to start a band, but that's exactly the case with Hargobind Singh - popularly known as Hargo for short - a musical fixture around San Diego, California.

Hargo, whose sound is described as a cross between Coldplay and his musical hero John Lennon, was pursuing a degree in psychology when his father gave him some advice that a student rarely hears.

His father, Gurshabad Singh Khalsa, recalls, "When Hargo began his third semester at Mesa College, our talks about music came to a halt. Our conversations instead were about psychology; Freud's cocaine habits, English essays and astrophysics, not songs and lyrics and what's happening in the music world. I knew that if he was serious about the music industry, he couldn't do both. So, being the best dad that I thought I could be, I told him to quit college and start a rock n' roll band."

Hargo had been playing from an early age. Even at age 8, Hargo had composed an original song called "Giving" which went on to be the official theme of the 1999 South Africa Peace Conference. Throughout his whole young life, Hargo has been writing and performing thoughtful original songs and impressing everybody who would listen. The timing seemed right to give an honest shot at a real music career, not just starting up some garage band.

Says his father, "The time is now or never. The music industry doesn't wait for people. You have to strike while the iron's hot and he's at an age where he can always go back to college if the music thing doesn't pan out."

This kind of family support at home is really paying off for Hargo. With his band together for well over a year, they have already played major local venues like Canes and Humphrey's in addition to showcases at the John Lennon tribute, KLSD radio events and also sharing the stage with the B-52's Kate Pierson, who is a fan of his music.

Hargo has other famous fans such as Grammy-Award winner Seal and also New York Times Best-Selling Author Terry Goodkind who has become close friends with the young singer/songwriter. Hargo's music and message has also won over the likes of California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamonte and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Hargo's John Lennon connection is strong. He has played at a star-studded KLSD radio tribute to John Lennon. The most popular song on Hargo's new CD, In Your Eyes, is the single "Crying For John Lennon", its emotional message striking chords with Lennon and Beatles fans everywhere.

The plan for success is to do everything possible to bring his songs to the masses and see if Hargo can make a significant musical impact and carve out a place for himself as a major performer and songwriter.

It's a similar plan to his paternal grandfather who played baseball in the St. Louis Browns farm system and was willing to give it five years to make it to the big leagues. His grandfather made it in his third year. Says Hargo, "We're giving it that five-year period. At that time, if I'm performing acoustic songs in front of two people and an espresso machine, then I'll reconsider." All indications appear that it won't be the case.

The same sense of empathy that initially led Hargo to pursue a degree in psychology also is found in his songs. That's why he's been lauded with praise from industry veterans such as "moving", "inspirational" and "your music is a pure reality."

Whether or not Hargo hits his ultimate personal five-year goals, he's going to move some people in the process. Like a true artist, he feels compelled to write, sing and say something while he can.

Hargo sums it up with a sly smile, "You only get one chance in your life ...."


[To find out more about Hargo, his shows, or his CD, "In Your Eyes", visit his website at http://www.hargo.net or call 1.800.838.2343.]

read other articles in Music