Published: July 6, 2010 6:04 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight July 2010 Edition
Noshir Mody
Music Now Artist/Band Spotlight Weekly Series
Noshir Mody
Guitarist Noshir Mody masterfully commands his instrument that releases beautiful and intoxicating sounds. Where words are not needed, the command that Mody’s has with the guitar is powerful and rewarding to say the least. In our online conversation with Mody, the artist reveals some fascinating facts about him and his upbringing.
Isaac: Let’s get started with this interview. When and how did you first become interested in music? How long have you been playing music?
Noshir: From my earliest memories as a child, I always remember our home being filled with music - be it jazz, classical, Indian classical or more contemporary music of the time. Even though I was born and raised in India, my father had an extensive Western music record collection. As a kid, I wasn't allowed to play the records primarily because I was too tiny to reach the turntable and would invariably scratch them. Not being
one to take "no" for an answer I remember being yelled at for ruining a number of his albums. When I was about ten years old, I signed up to play flute in the school band and tinkered around with a keyboard for a while, but it wasn't until I was fifteen that I began to figure out how to play the guitar.
Isaac: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences and why?
Noshir: I remember being completely blown away when I first heard Al Di Meola's Elegant Gypsy. That pretty much sold me on pursuing the guitar as my instrument of choice. Since then, I have gone through phases in my life where I have been enamored by the music of John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurtu and more recently Ulf Wakenius. I say enamored because I listen to their music and deeply enjoy what they have created but I don't try to imitate or emulate them, not consciously anyway.
Isaac: What has been the greatest highpoint in your career so far?
Noshir: I am very proud of the compositions and guitarwork done on the release of my solo album "In this world with you", and the way the album has been received so far has been very heartwarming.
Isaac: What has been the greatest disappointment in your career so far? What did you learn from that experience?
Noshir: I think most musicians start out by wanting to be rock stars, rich, famous and living the superstar life! I found that I was disappointed in myself for entirely missing the point of being an artist. I learned that it is more important for me to be honest in my musical narrations than trendy. It is more important for me to develop my relationships with the people around me than to make a ton of fragile connections.
Isaac: What draws you to want to play the type of music that you do?
Noshir: This form of music resonates within me the loudest. I'm sure it has to do with my being raised in India and the fact that I have spent the last fifteen years in the United States; that we live in a time of globalization and instant accessibility. For me, the lines between east and west; jazz and rock blur easy.
Isaac: What do you feel it takes to play this type of music that you play?
Noshir: The style is ethnic jazz fusion. Had the music just been a marriage of jazz and rock it would have remained jazz fusion. By coloring the formats with simple, easily accessible ethnic melodies it brings to the music a stylistic and cultural fusion. So I would say to play this format one needs to be open to possibilities and be able to musically converse in a live setting.
Isaac: What do you think you will create that will make your performances and who you are stand out in the music industry?
Noshir: This music brings its diverse stylistic and cultural elements together to work in harmony. These principles are universal and I believe people will respond to it. The live performance formats are pure as they are not scripted except for some very basic structural guidelines which can be moved away from at any time, by a direction set by any musician.
Isaac: If you had the opportunity to do one cover, what cover would you do and why? How would you put your own spin on this cover?
Noshir: For a long time now I have loved this beautiful composition by Astor Piazolla - Milonga Del Angel. It's hard not to relate to a melody crafted so masterfully which stirs up so much emotion each time it is heard. I would keep it simple and allow my story to come through.
Isaac: What does it take to be a good songwriter?
Noshir: I believe a good songwriter is one who understands the difference between inspiration and musical skill. Live passionately so that you may be inspired and use your musical skill to mould those moments of inspiration into a finished piece of work.
Isaac: How difficult is it to juggle music, family and work obligation, and life in general? Explain.
Noshir: It can be difficult, but when balanced right it can be incredibly rewarding. For me, at this point in my life, finding that balance seems to come easier than it did say ten years ago when I struggled a lot personally and professionally and mainly because I think I was trying to fit into other peoples boxes and labels. I'm much more comfortable with who I am today.
Isaac: What is your definition of being an Indie artist/band?
Noshir: You have to believe in yourself and your music whether or not anyone else does. I think it's a great system not only allowing artists to be creative with their art form but also with how they get their art in front of bigger audiences.
