Mulling about musical oeuvres

1. What genre of music do you fit into? Who are your major influences?
I believe that there is beauty in all styles and genres depending on what phase of life I maybe in, so with No Hero, my solo project, I try to be fluid and change my music, exploring different things at points in my life. My biggest influence is definitely Linkin Park. I also admire Steven Wilson, Hozier, Guthrie Govan, Plini, Mr.Bill, Karnivool, Opeth, and I try to keep this list growing. 

2. How has your music evolved?           
My music evolves constantly and is subjective to many stimuli, collaborations being one. Even an interesting conversation about something obtuse like politics or religion can greatly impact my musical outlook.

3. Around Bengaluru, where have you performed? 
I have been a fairly reclusive musician who does a few shows. I’ve always enjoyed The Humming Tree, bFlat but my favourite venue is Windmills Craftworks and I think my least fav, objectively is HRC!

4. What are your pet peeves? 
Cover gigs. They have their place, I suppose. 

5. Most memorable moment? 
It was a random impulsive open mic where I felt connected. 

6. Latest work? Its inspiration?
Currently trying to complete some older tracks that I started late last year. This year’s flagship album called Evoke is inspired by a lot of my internal struggles with various aspects of life. Another project called Awake compliments Evoke, but I won’t be talking about that till the last quarter of the year.  

7. One annoying habit you have? 
Taking on too much work. Giving myself too much or too little time. 

8. What do you like the best about mixing music and composing? 
It gives living some kind of a purpose or direction. It’s also quite exciting, both as a process and output to see how certain things can come together.

9. How were you able to financially and emotionally aid yourself? 
Financially — I take do compositions, audio, designs and video gigs; Emotionally — I make art, make friends, make love. I try to keep fit, I try to keep learning new skills; it’s hard to say if there’s anything I do which isn’t for emotional sustainability, specially in our hyper-stimulated lifestyle. 

10. What is a typical week for you?

It’s quite ad-hoc, but I try to split any project into smaller components so I can tackle them without getting jaded or burnt out.