We caught up with Dr Harpreet Jandu, the globally recognised artist and producer and founder and creative director of new not-for-profit platform Playback Creates

Under his artist name ‘PBN’, Dr Harpreet Jandu has developed his career as an independent artist and producer, releasing multiple albums and singles collaborating with artists and performing for audiences around the world. PBN’s music has reached millions of listeners globally, with more than 100 million views and streams. Alongside Harpreet’s work in music, he has also been involved in projects across theatre, TV and film, contributing creatively to storytelling across different mediums.

Now, through Playback Creates, he’s giving back. The not-for-profit platform is dedicated to developing talent, celebrating culture and creating pathways into the creative industries. He says: “Everything I’ve achieved today comes from those early grassroots beginnings, and it’s why I remain passionate about supporting emerging talent and helping create platforms that give the next generation of artists the same opportunities to grow. It’s what I do.”

OPENING DOORS

Playback is about opening doors creating opportunities for artists to develop their skills, gain confidence and access the industry through mentoring, live showcases and collaborative projects. Harpreet says: “Through my role I lead the development of creative projects, talent programmes, and cultural platforms that support emerging artists and storytellers, particularly from underrepresented communities.” He adds: “For the people we work with, it’s often about more than just music or performance. It’s about support, guidance and creating pathways that help the next generation of talent grow and be seen.”

When Harpreet started out, he found he was figuring things out as he went along without much guidance, structure or a platform to work with. He says that through Playback Creates, he wants to change that for other youngsters and that means creating programmes, partnerships and opportunities that genuinely help creatives move from grassroots beginnings into sustainable careers.

BIGGEST LESSON

One of the biggest lessons Harpreet learned and one that he’s keen to pass on, is the importance of understanding the business side of the industry. He says: “When you first start out, you’re focused on the music, the creativity and performing, which is how it should be, but over time you realise how important it is to understand things like ownership, publishing, and the long term value of the work you create.”

Of the creative scene in Birmingham, Harpreet says: “The city has always felt full of energy and diversity. One of the things I’ve always loved about it is the mix of cultures and how that naturally feeds into the creative scene. There’s a real sense of community here, and so much talent across music, arts, and culture.” Harpreet’s work has been recognised by the University of Wolverhampton which awarded him an honorary doctorate of music which he describes as humbling.

FULL CIRCLE MOMENT

“For someone who started out through grassroots community initiatives and local platforms, it felt like a full circle moment. What makes it even more special is knowing that moments like that can inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe that their work and their voice can be valued at the highest level too.”

Even when Harpreet has a bit of down time, he’s likely to be immersed music. He says: “When I get a bit of downtime, I like to step away from the pace of work and reset. Music is obviously a big part of my life, but interestingly one of the ways I relax is by listening to completely different genres and discovering new sounds. It helps clear my head and often sparks new ideas.”