Nadeem plays with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, wants to help Bangladeshi musicians

Nadeem A Salam is a British-Bangladeshi musician and entrepreneur who has been actively working in the industry for over 10 years. He has worked with famous bands such as Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Megadeth, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Simple Plan, Secondhand Serenade and many more. 

He is also the founder of Skesh Entertainment, a music management and production company that aims to revolutionise the music industry in Asia.

While he may wear many hats—from tour manager to music video expert—at his heart, Nadeem is a musician. And even though he initially chose to become a tour manager, he has recently become a touring member of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus—a band integral to his journey in the industry. 

In conversation with The Daily Star, Nadeem dove into how all of his numerous achievements came about.

How did your journey in music start out?

Growing up, my dream was to have a professional career in music. Initially, I was the drummer in a band with some friends. But I wanted to make a living out of music.

Being from Bangladesh our parents will obviously gauge our success based on how well we are doing financially in our careers. So I had the same struggles of trying to convince my parents that I did not want to be a doctor or an engineer. 

I saw way more opportunities in managing and working behind the scenes, rather than in the spotlight. While there was potential to make money while being in the spotlight, I knew that it was extremely risky. 

That is why 10 years ago, we started signing a lot of international acts, hoping to bridge the gap in Asia. We wanted to help Asian bands, not just with opportunities, but by helping them get to the next level.

How did the gig with Red Jumpsuit Apparatus come about?

When I was 17, one of the first bands I started working with was Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I was lucky to come across a band like them at an early age, where the lead singer, Ronnie, took the time to teach me and train me over the past 10 years to survive in this music industry.

Over the past three or four months, we have found ourselves all together on stage and I have  been able to play piano with the band. It has been a beautiful, full-circle experience, as in the last 10 years, I have done everything I could do for the band off-stage.

Now I get to perform right there on stage with them. It is a big deal for me because I always hoped to see Bengalis on stage, being the stars I was working with. It was something I thought I would never be able to see.

Whenever we perform now, Ronnie introduces me as Nadeem from Bangladesh on stage and it is incredible.

How is the experience of being on stage with such a globally recognised band?

A while ago, we were in Indonesia, at a festival. There, we played with Secondhand Serenade, Simple Plan and Hoobastank. I couldn't wait to see the other bands after I was done with my set.

Halfway through our set, I look to my right and see the members of Hoobastank and Secondhand Serenade rocking out to our performance. I remember thinking to myself that 10-year-old Nadeem would be losing his mind if he saw this. 

It goes to show that when we have big dreams and aspirations, nothing should ever be too big to try. It's a moment that will always remind me that anything is truly possible.

Through Skesh, you were an integral part of why Dads in the Park were at Hammersonic. Do you have plans to do that with other bands in Bangladesh?

Developing domestic bands by pairing them with international ones is something I am always looking to do. In the last 10 years, we have taken over 50 musicians from Malaysia to international stages.

It hurt me a little, that I was getting awards from countries who didn't really have a personal relationship with me. But I was not doing anything for Bangladesh. That is why I set the target to take 50 Bengali musicians to an international stage in the next two years.

I want to take any act that has either the funding, capability or mindset to go international. With Dads in the Park, I think they learned significant lessons that will change the course of their career, by performing at Hammersonic.