The Score Magazine June 2018 issue! | Page 21

me instead of just an audio. I did not post any video that year. It was only next year (2015) when I posted my first professional video "Dubstruck" and it was very well received not just here but internationally. EDM.COM covered it, Metal hammer, Metal Injection BBC Radio Scotland and several biggies in the online world recognised me. It was very encouraging, and assuring that people like this, want to see more of this and I must not stop at this. Now about promoting my music, I did not just put a video on YouTube and sit there waiting for a miracle to happen. I remember waking up all night and doing literal PR work of my own for my own. Finding websites that would be interested to share this content and emailing them, finding people who would want to talk about this etc. Once, one big website picked it up it was then like a snowball effect. I learnt as I worked. Tell us a bit more about The Snake Charmer. More I knew about the Bagpipe world, I found out that every piper has a stage name, so I figured I have to have one too. I wanted something to reflect who I am, where I belong. The Snake Charmer name came to thought because outside India, people have a perception of us as the "land of snakes and snake charmers" well I wanted them to see a completely different, modern and progressive side of India and hence mocking that thought the name "The snake charmer" became my act's name, one that makes you wonder and question when you think of me and where I come from.  Before you picked up the Bagpipe, you were a vocalist of a band. Was it challenging to shift and do something so niche? Yeah, it was. I had to change my identity more so change people's perception about me and about the sort of artist I was presenting to them.  What would be your favorite genre to play in the bagpipe? Well, I enjoy quite a few genres to be honest. Mostly, Celtic, Dubstep and orchestral gets me going. Your biggest influence/ inspiration in picking this instrument. Eluveitie  Upcoming projects Lots of collaborations. International shows (which I will be announcing soon) Your message to someone who is in the path of doing something different . It’s very important to first find out, if it’s really something that you want to do. If it is, then be persistent and brave. The Score Magazine highonscore.com 19