Interview: Saahil Bhagrava
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
I started playing music when I was a really young kid, listening to classic rock, classical music and music from animated movies/shows. If I hadn't gotten into music, I'd probably still be working in a creative field like animation or film (which I am already doing today anyway).
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
Usually I'll play videogames or exercise or go out exploring LA with friends. Considering the influence of videogames, animation and film on my music, I think it's very clear that I get a lot from that. But I actually also find myself writing songs and lyrics when I'm exercising or doing other things. Getting time away from creative revitalizes me and allows me to write better.
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I'm based in Los Angeles right now. The city is known for being a hub for music and film, so I am surrounded by a lot of like-minded people and I definitely get a lot from that energy.
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
I'd love to perform with Muse or Billie Eilish/Finneas someday.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Keep practicing speaking Hindi! But that aside, probably just to keep at it and explore a lot of different sounds from all around the world.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
I think Ronin is probably my favorite. Not only because I love the story, lyrics and sound, but it was also the first one I wrote and could've been the last. I remember recording it in February 2020 and thinking "If this doesn't sound good, I'm done." And luckily, it sounded great. We actually never recorded the vocals again because you could tell how much I put into that session.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
I want people to think about the world and stories from everywhere. I like exploring different perspectives, and I hope my music gets people excited to do the same. My songs also tend to be more introspective, and I hope that people can take something from it to help their own lives.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
I'm working on an animated movie called "Young Captain Nemo" and I'll be writing music for it too. Keep an eye out for more announcements. I'll also be working on my first album, so keep an eye out for that too.
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