DARKPSY EXCLUSIVE
THE DARKPSYDE INTERVIEW----------------------- SILENT HORROR
One of the better known and more talented of Indian darkpsy producers is Jigar Shah aka Silent Horror. He is also one of the most spotlight reclusive artists I have come across in recent times which makes having him here an extra special honour for us. With a fresh new EP entitled Patterns to be released in the next couple of weeks (February 09) through Devil’s Mind Records, we welcome Jigar to The Darkpsyde to talk about music, religion and spending 8 months a year onboard a ship....!!!!! Q1 – Someone recently told me that you produce most of your tracks whilst aboard a ship. They also told me that you make those tunes using headphones instead of monitors! Is this all true and if so please clarify for us, it sounds like a very unusual set of circumstances!?! A – Yes it’s true! My professional work is as a Marine engineer so I have to be on ship for approx 8 months a year. I don’t own monitors, this is also true. I have been listening to this genre for a long time now and I have heard it in depth. Subsequently I’ve managed to get my sound close to a good one. It’s definitely the mastering which makes it sound better but as I haven’t done a sound engineering course, I wouldn’t know it very well. It’s important for me to make more and more music for the ones who like to listen to my work. So, as and when I get time, I spend it wisely- making music. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q2 – As you work on a lot of your new tracks aboard the ship I’m assuming you are not able to have so much equipment with you. Which tools do you have available to you for your productions? A – I use a lot of VSTs. And working with minimum equipment is what I think is important. Make the best out of the minimum resources. Laptop, FL Software & good pair of studio headphones are sufficient for me at present. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q3 – Another unusual attribute of you as an artist is that you don’t ever play live, nor have you ever before! It’s pretty uncommon for an artist not to play live at least sometimes, especially a well known artist within their respective genre. Why did you make this decision not to perform? A – I respect many artists who have been a major influence for me, musically and in transforming my life in a better way. I think it’s important that I’m well aware of my potential before I jump on stage to perform. I consider live performance as a respectable art form and definitely won’t do it just for the sake of it. It has to be different and not just a “press play” live show. Once I feel I’m ready I’ll go for it. For now I’m happy the way things are moving, making more music and learning more techniques slowly. Sure, travelling around the globe and meeting friends and performing sounds very nice, but I have to consider my priorities too. That’s my work on the ship. This is the second reason why I haven’t been able to perform. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q4 – You released your successful debut album ‘Nemesis’ in 2007 through Swedish label Devil’s Mind Records. Why did you choose upon releasing with that particular label? A – Devil’s Mind Records was the label who release my first solo track “Placid on Acid” on VA – Refused. I knew this label had an original concept (despite plenty of bashing over the whole “devil” issue which most thought was related to some slaughter fest!) The guys running the label are very supportive and continue getting new acts and known producers’ work out to people. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q5 – You have a new EP entitled ‘Patterns’ which is due to be released in January 09 through Devil’s Mind Records. Should we expect the classic Silent Horror style or is your sound evolving somewhat? A – Yes. The EP has 3 tracks, each different from another. Sounds evolve every year I would say. It does take time but I have felt it happening over the years. The style is a bit similar but ideas are slightly different. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q6 – Do you have any plans for another full length album in the foreseeable future? A – Yes, I’m planning for it. 2010 I guess should be it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q7 – There has been a lot of discussion recently on the influence and inclusion of Hinduism and Hindu symbolism within the psychedelic trance scene. Do you feel that Hinduism or religion in general has influenced you at all musically and if so in what way? Also, what is your personal feeling about this widespread incorporation of Hinduism in our psychedelic culture? Would you say you are for or against? A – I don’t think that religion has in any way helped me musically. Yes, classical music is spiritual and divine & has helped me, since I have experience of playing an instrument – Tabla – for 4 years. Moreover, I would say, it’s the artists whose music (not just psychedelic trance) that I’ve been listening to have influenced me too. Well, to each their own, but I strongly believe, a false act of behaviour, like a Saddhu or for that matter a preacher, for getting famous is wrong. I haven’t read much about how God and psychedelic music are related; I prefer not to read it also. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q8 – How do you personally feel about the inclusion of so many ‘evil’ or ‘satanic’ references within the dark psytrance scene? The use of very ‘evil sounding’ track names and sombre artworks for example? A – Over the years I have seen a change and it’s rather unpleasant. Yes, it was an influence to me too, but before some works of Xenomorph and even other known artists such as GMS, Wizzy Noise, who have used track names which were considered “evil”, they had that atmosphere, but not in the face kind of names. Now, it’s rather which name is more evil, and it has nothing to do with the music they make so to speak. I think people will understand themselves over a period of time, and will link the music to the title and re-think their work. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q9 – Darkpsy is the label that has been slapped upon our music though personally I prefer to call it full power night time trance. The debate about this term has been going on almost since the expression was first coined, so, what do you think about the term ‘darkpsy’? A – I think so too, night time psytrance is preferable. Like I said above…those artists make night music with eerie soundscapes or atmospheres but there are others who cannot be linked to the (darkpsy) tag but their music is played at night hours too. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Q10 – A little while ago the artist Technodrome was thrown into jail in India for allegedly carrying and supplying drugs at a party. He had many people rallying to support him, including Nader (Bloodclot), who compiled a VA for commercial release (which you appear on), in an attempt to raise money for the subsequent legal fees. Is this kind of heavy handed and, by all accounts, unjust action by the police a common occurrence at parties in India these days? Also, are there still many parties being put on in India in general? A – I wasn’t there to witness this so I wouldn’t know the truth so to speak. As I have heard, through friends, he was framed by the police. I believe Shai (Technodrome) should be supported since I believe that he was framed as well. And I will confirm that all benefits of this cd will be forwarded to him. It’s about time people realise that doing drugs openly in a party is wrong. It’s blown out of proportion and the people who just want to party naturally will not be able to because of the others. In a way, this act by the police has made sure that people see clearly that the system of cops is not only corrupt but also intent on proving that such parties 'have to be' associated with drugs. In the end it is us who have to suffer, the music freaks. No, I haven’t attended any parties for a long time, and there are not so many happening either. I would rather not attend any anyway to be honest. Silent Horror - Patterns E.P will be released on February 20th 2009 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Back To The Darkpsyde Homepage
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