Interview : Ashwin Rao [PunkANation and Knightingale]

Great day folks! We have Mr. Ashwin Rao with us today for a spellbinding interview. Grab a popcorn and delve into this post!

Q- Hello Ashwin! Hope you are doing great. It is awesome to have you here with us !

Hey folks at RAWRR! Greetings from Singapore! Thank you for having me, I am truly honoured!

Q- When did you first start playing the guitar?

I started with playing the bass because I had to support my first band, Zhadowz. I was 19 at that time, picked up the electric guitar from then on as well!

Q- What inspired you to start making music as a hobby or a passion/profession?

My friend one day had faith in me told me to write random lyrics and we ended up writing a song by midnight. It was all very quick and spontaneous! I then realized that how much fun I had doing something for the first time in my life, it was memorable and decided I should do this stuff more, I fell in love with music gradually and decided to focus on rock/punk genre and thus my passion was born.

Q- Which musicians/bands do you admire and why?

My first bands were Nirvana and Metallica, not only do I love their music but I love how they started from scratch and played such intense shows which rock and roll, grunge, metal was all about! I also stumbled upon old 60's underground garage bands that are on YouTube which I instantly fell in love with the sound, I currently dig Ty Segall, John Barrett (Bass Drum of Death) FIDLAR etc.

Q- Tell us about the "PunkANation" project.

It was the sort of "LETS BE COME A SOLO ROCKSTAR!" kinda project that did have it's ups and downs, PunkANation was like a baby that I brought up since the shittiest Guitar Link USB recording to what it's now today. It's now dead but I seriously learned alot of things when I focused on it, especially song writing, arranging, mixing and sometimes getting your music heard through marketing. But I couldn't go on forever, nature calls and I need to gig real bad.

Q- How was the experience, composing, recording and producing songs all by yourself?

It was fascinating, DIY punk rock based way of doing things and that's how it should be, I totally loved it, it got me goosebumps sometimes and it's actually addicting when you think about creating albums etc. like you want to keep going till you perish that's how much fun it was. Such a fulfilling experience!

Q- You have released 3 albums, how does it feel now?

Haha not enough! I want to create more! But those 3 have it's place in history and I am quite proud of it!

Q- You recently started a new band "Knightingale". Can you tell us the reason behind the drive?

It was high time that I really entered my local scene and the very need to gig as hard as possible, gigging is an amazing experience you don't have check EQ, do this do that etc., just perform your heart out whether it is for 100 people or even to the bartender.

That's why I formed Knightingale, garage rock with the influence from then and now, we're a 3 piece band with two rhythm guitars, vocal and drums, very raw sounding beast and we all have been working hand in hand to make this band happen.

Q- Any plan for an EP or a full length album soon ?

I am currently focusing on Knightingale and we just did our 4 track cassette tape which we'll be releasing in mp3 real soon! Definitely! plans are there for a full release but I can't tell until the right time comes.

Q- Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions.

I did do solo gigs as Punkanation ranging from open mics to mentorship programs, all were very fruitful and memorable, met alot of really nice people and enjoyed listening to their tunes as well. My highlight of last year is where I did my Noise Singapore Mentorship program where I was handpicked by my mentor Randolf Arriola, the prodigy himself mentored and motivated me with my music, what really changed my direction is when he let me use his Captain Cocunut Fuzz pedal into his Hughes and Kettner head Tri Amp MkIII through 4 x 12 Carvin cabinet, Mind blown! little did I know I was missing so much in terms of pedals etc. and the Fuzz sound is what i currently use for Knightingale.

Q- What advice would you give to fellow budding musicians?

Fall in love with your songs, your instruments, your voice and your passion, if you really want it you know you will definitely work hard to get to it, So don't think twice and go for it! always keep your self motivated to achieve your dreams and scrap off all negative thoughts that people throw at you, you are making a change, you are creating history if we don't do it for our local scene then who will?

Q- How do you balance your music with other obligations?

I have a decent job that's been my guardian angel since I started making music, I show both equal attention because if the job goes, then no food on the table haha, It is quite balanced, I work 4 days a week for 12 hours, enough time for me to work on my music during my rest days.

As for my lifestyle it's pretty straight forward, Work, eat, sleep, MUSIC! rinse repeat!

Q- And a final question, any message would you like to convey to the readers of RAWRR?

I am excited for RAWRR and the initiative you guys are putting for the music, you all inspire me, and to the readers of RAWRR do bring your out-most support to these guys and remember to have fun, support your favourite bands, air drum in the bus and be a good person! 

Thank you Ashwin for talking out your time and allowing us to interview you.

The please is mine guys, these are exciting times and I am super proud of what you do, wishing you guys the very luck for this new venture! Cheers!

https://www.facebook.com/punkanationsg
https://www.facebook.com/knightingaleSG
http://punkanation.bandcamp.com/