Bangladeshi artist / producer Pavel Areen discusses his origins and influences

Over these last few years, Bangladeshi artist and producer Pavel Areen has been a rising star on the scene. Bringing together a dynamic array of influences into his fold, he has quickly established himself as one of the more innovative names doing the rounds recently.

So we caught up with him to discuss his background and what has been the biggest influences to his sound to date.

You’ve played at world-renowned venues like Madison Square Garden and SXSW. What have those moments meant to you personally and professionally?

Both of these experiences were life-changing for me—something I hold close to my heart.

When I first found out we were selected to perform at SXSW in the USA, it felt surreal. We were going to be the first band from Bangladesh to take that stage—and I knew this was our chance to bring the sound of Bangladesh, deeply rooted in our folk traditions, to a global audience. It wasn’t just about music—it was about cultural expression. I still remember the faces in the crowd, the way they responded to our sound. That connection gave me a sense of purpose and inspired me to keep pushing boundaries while staying true to where I come from.

Then came Madison Square Garden in the USA, performing alongside the legendary Scorpions. Just saying it still gives me goosebumps. Again, we were the first from Bangladesh to step onto that iconic stage. The moment I hit my drums during soundcheck, it felt almost spiritual—like the stage had always been waiting for us. The sound, the lights, the energy—it was overwhelming. And the entire team was so kind and supportive.

Personally, it was one of the proudest moments of my life—not just as a musician, but as someone representing my country’s spirit and folk-infused sound on the world stage. And I must say, I’m incredibly grateful to my bandmates in Chirkutt. Without their dedication, passion, and belief in our shared vision, none of this would have been possible.

Your new collaboration with Sidonix explores spiritual themes through music and visuals. Can you walk us through the creative vision behind this project?

Sidonix is a young Bangladeshi talent with a powerful voice and rare lyrical depth.Collaborating with her opened a new creative journey for me—blending spiritual themes with pop-rock.It’s inspiring to see such bold writing from someone so young.This project pushed me to evolve my music and production on a global scale.

As a founding member of Chirkutt and the force behind Butter Communication, how do you balance being a performer, composer, and producer across such diverse platforms?

Honestly, there’s no perfect balance—I just keep moving with passion.I'm deeply grateful to my bandmates, my studio team, and the young talents I work with.Their support makes it possible to juggle performance, composition, and production.I’ve also been shaped by guidance and collaborations with legendary global musicians and sound engineers, which continue to expand my vision and push my creativity forward.

How has your Bangladeshi heritage influenced your approach to fusion music and global collaborations?

Growing up, Bengali folk music was always in the atmosphere—at home, on the streets, in every celebration.It’s deeply soulful and uniquely expressive, and it became a natural part of my musical identity.As I got exposed to global music through technology, travel, and collaboration,I started to see beautiful parallels between different musical cultures. That inspired me to fuse global sounds with the rich traditions I was raised in.

But I’ve always been careful—not to dilute the heritage, but to respect it, preserve it, and present it in new forms.Whether I’m working with international musicians or experimenting with production, I try to stay authentic to both worlds—bringing the soul of Bangladeshi folk to a global stage while embracing new creative possibilities.

You’re known not only as a musician but also as a highly respected sound engineer. What role does engineering play in your overall creative process?

Sound engineering completely transformed how I approach music and composition.It taught me to listen with depth—to understand frequencies, textures, and balance in a way that guides every musical choice.It gave me the wisdom to know what not to do, which is often more powerful than knowing what to do.Even on stage, it’s made me more confident—knowing which instruments translate best live, and which shine in production has helped me make better creative and technical decisions.

What inspired you to launch a media campaign in the UK now, and what are you hoping to share with British and international audiences?

The UK has an extraordinary musical legacy—it’s one of the most culturally rich and globally influential places for music. So many of the artists who’ve shaped my musical vision, from David Gilmour, John McLaughlin, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran to Jacob Collier and Dua Lipa, all trace their roots to the UK.The legendary studios like Abbey Road and AIR Studios, and iconic platforms like Glastonbury Festival, have long inspired me.As I begin a new chapter with major UK-based collaborations, this media campaign is my way of building a meaningful connection with British and international audiences.I’m excited to share a new, genre-blending sound—rooted in my heritage, but produced with a global mindset—that I believe will resonate deeply with the UK music community.

You’ve composed for award-winning films like No Bed of Roses and Saturday Afternoon. How does scoring for film differ from your work as a performer or producer?

Scoring for film is a completely different world—it’s like stepping into a vast emotional and creative space.It’s not just about making music, but about serving the story and enhancing the visual narrative through sound.For a composer, it’s a huge canvas—a chance to explore multiple genres, emotions, and techniques within a single project.Every cue is a new challenge, and every film brings a different mood, culture, or musical language to learn from.To be honest, it’s one of the toughest but most rewarding parts of music—because doing it right means disappearing into the story, while still making the audience feel everything.

Your Living Room Session reimagines Bengali music in a modern context. What has been the most exciting part of reviving these classics for a new generation?

For me, the most exciting part is finally hearing my favourite classic songs come to life with modern sound production and arrangements I’ve dreamed about for years.It’s like blending nostalgia with imagination—bringing my personal vision to songs I grew up loving.I always felt these timeless pieces could shine in a fresh way if reimagined carefully, and fusing them with today’s sonic textures has been an incredibly fulfilling experience.It’s about honouring the past while making it speak to a new generation.

Having worked across borders and genres, what do you think defines your musical identity today?

At the heart of everything I do is originality—staying true to my roots while constantly evolving.What defines my musical identity today is the balance between authenticity and global sensibility.I aim to create music that carries emotion, depth, and cultural identity, yet feels sonically universal.Whether it’s a massive international collaboration or a simple, intimate production, I try to keep the soul intact while crafting something that resonates across borders.

What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or performances UK audiences should be looking out for?

I’m currently producing a brand-new English album featuring some of the most legendary British musicians alongside fresh, rising talents from the UK’s top music schools.

It’s a truly exciting blend of experience and innovation, and I believe UK audiences will really connect with it.

There are also a few major projects and collaborations in the works—big plans that I hope to unveil soon.

And yes, I’m looking forward to performing at some prestigious UK festivals next—though I can’t reveal the names just yet!

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