Composer & Music Producer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital - Cuz I got no $$$$$$!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Q: Can you increase the bass? A: No

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do they have a clear vision in mind? Are there any references for what they want? - both sonically and musically. I'm more interested in what they have to say conceptually. I really relate to emotions or moods and if they are able to enunciate that in words - then we're good to go.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: My work ethic and versatility are two of my strongest aspects. Once I'm clear on a requirement, the workflow and communication will be smooth.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I'd love to work with Yussef Dayes. I feel he is an exemplary drummer with a global repertoire. He is someone I would love to jam with and also record, to resample and use in a host of different settings.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I believe that space and depth are two very key components that contribute to the sound of the track. Working with silence and developing a basic understanding of silence will always enhance and help musical elements to stand out more.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest is my skill on the Guitar. But I'm most proud of my efforts in composition and music production.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process varies depending on the nature of the work. For production and mixing projects, I tend to fully understand the creative vision of the client first. This allows for swift workflow and smooth communication. For any instrumental recording, I can bring my own flavour to the mix or stick exactly as per the clients brief.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a fully equipped setup with professional studio monitors, an Arturia Keylab 49 (which I use for most keyboard/synth and programming parts), 5 guitars - 3 electric guitars (including a hollow body Ibanez and an 8 string), 1 acoustic guitar, and 1 bass guitar. I work primarily on Logic and Ableton but I'm also well versed with Protools.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: J Dilla, D'Angelo, Anderson Paak, Daniel Caesar, Kendrick Lamar, Jorja Smith, Kali Uchis, Eric Lau, MNDSGN, Robert Glasper, Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei, Kamal Williams, Terrace Martin, Roy Hargrove, Snarky Puppy, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Solange, Anderson Paak.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I'm the guitarist of the band 'Amrit Rao and The Madrascals' and I've played guitar on our album 'Baemani'. being a concept album with a strong narrative, we roped in professional actors and dancers and staged an hour-long musical featuring elements from all three art forms woven together.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My second E.P, titled 'Blends Vol.1'. It features a mix of musical styles namely Indian rhythms and sounds with western harmony.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Novelty and Quality.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It's very emotionally liberating. It enables me to express myself in ways that words do not allow. Also, I feel music like any art form is cyclic in that we are all constantly deriving ideas and influences from each other yet presenting them differently.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring character. I have a well-rounded understanding of different genres of music and can recreate them in different contexts with multiple instruments.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: get paid too much.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Fender Stratocaster, MacBook Pro (2015 or later), Headphones, a mic, recording cables.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started learning the Mridangam, an Indian percussion instrument when I was eight and when I was 14, I picked up the guitar. I was awarded a scholarship to study music at the first contemporary music school in my country and went on to secure a formal education in music performance, specializing in contemporary Jazz. Since graduating, I've broadened my expertise through learning new instruments and also dabbling with beatmaking and sampling. I've performed as a guitarist with over 7 local and international acts across the country. I released my first solo E.P in 2017 titled 'After Hours' on all digital platforms and my second release is due in April 2019. This opened up many more opportunities and I've gone on to take up projects involving DJing, Mixing & Mastering and Film Scoring.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as somewhere between J Dilla and M.I.A. Coming from India, I have a lot of influences from South Indian folk styles but I'm also proficient with Hip Hop, Soul, and RnB. I always look to innovate and blend genres to ultimately represent many cultures through my music.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Hip Hop, Jazz, RnB, Soul, Film Scores, Disco, Funk, Electronica, Rock, and Blues.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Music Production, Guitar/Bass Recording, Mixing