- Bryon Harris
Sooraj
Sooraj is an energetic, enthusiastic young singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist out of Mumai, India. He has played keys since one and a half years old and guitar since he was nine. He is influenced by a wide range of musicians including Mozart, The Beatles, and John Mayer. Sooraj currently studies at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles where is continues vigorously to pursue his career in music.
What got you into music?
I've always been into music - my parents keep saying that I could sing before I learnt to speak! In that sense, music was one of the first languages I ever learned, and as a result, has been my one constant identity.
What is your favorite part about being an artist or band? Songwriting, performing, recording, etc.? Tell us why.
My favourite part of being an artist is arranging a song. I'm a multi-instrumentalist, and there's no greater delight for me than to mess around with different sounds to get that one particular sonic signature that you're looking for!
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
So far, I've only recorded at my home studio. But even that's quite an experience in itself - right from setting up the drum mic, to tuning the room, to playing and recording and setting up retakes with Logic Remote...it's quite an amazing ride! I think it's rather freeing -- knowing how to be able to do things on your own steam, as an independent artist.
As an artist or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?
The biggest obstacle, where I come from (India), is that barely anybody listens to the kind of music that I play - which is non-Bollywood, non-regional-language, English music! The biggest challenge is attempting to make a mark on listeners in such a market. And that's a challenge that I face every time I release my music, but I'm sure I'm up for it!
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
There's so many! But I have the most admiration and am so full of respect for the non big-ticket people, the people who are starting out their careers as independent artists and are really good at what they do. If I were to drop names like Michael G. Moore, Tejas Menon, Aankh Micholi, Aditi Ramesh or Dariush Kanani, it probably wouldn't mean much to anyone. But those are the kind of people who I really take my hat off to, in terms of their music, their personalities and their way of absolute perseverance and passion in doing what they do.
If you could be granted one wish, right now, as an artist, what would you ask for?
A Grammy, please!
What is on the horizon in the next year for you?
I hope to finish recording and release my LP which has been in the works for quite some time now! It's yet untitled -- I'm open to suggestions!
To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us and what makes it great?
So far, I'm super happy with "Nemesis." It has a rather hilarious yet completely relatable quality to it. And I think it's really catchy, which makes it hummable and easy to listen to. I think that the way it's turned out has been quite a learning experience for me, and I'm so glad I managed to get it down exactly the way I envisioned it.
Take a moment and watch his video for his song "Nemesis"
Tell us where fans can access your music.