Tune in: Melody matters

Ram Sampath started his music career by composing advertising jingles for Mumbai-based advertising industry. He calls himself a musical schizophrenic and is one of the few Indian composer-producers who had mainstrean success outside of Bollywood with his desi-pop albums. We chat with Ram Sampath about his musical favourites:

One song that you listen to on repeat mode on your iPod these days: California by Grimes.

Five songs in the soundtrack of your life: Today they are: Tom Sawyer by Rush for its spirit of adventure Weather with you by Crowded House for its sense of freedom My Way by Frank Sinatra for its attitude Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd for its melancholy Rim Jhim Gire Saawan by RD Burman and Yogesh for its romance

A song that you love to listen to when you’re: Happy and upbeat: Hangover (Ba Ba) by Buraka Som Sistema Really low: Anything by Richard Bona gets me out of a bad mood. Working out: The Prodigy or Tool is perfect workout music for me.

Music that you used to love as a kid or a teenager that you’re now embarrassed by: Yes, I really liked the first Spice Girls album. I still dig it.

You would describe your taste in music as: Eclectic. I’m a collector and have bought a lot of music over the years and I’m really proud of my collection.

Favourite time to listen to music: I can listen to good music all day, even after having worked on music the whole day. If you start playing Drake, I’ll probably complain.

One band/musician you’d want a private concert from: Peter Gabriel, without a doubt.

One live act you would love to see at least once in your life Nine Inch Nails