AMOGH RAO
M arco innemann,
about his India tour!
Could you tell us about the concept behind your new album, Borrego? How did it come together?
Hi everyone! Borrego was inspired by the hauntingly beautiful desert of Borrego in Southern California. I drove there a few times and decided to basically write a Soundtrack accompanying the landscapes, which later turned into a 2 CD set talking about the Anza Borrego, its beauty, space and reclusiveness, the founders, resident, the ghosts, the history and the present day vibes around it.
Are you exited to conduct workshop in India at Furtados school of Music? how do you find your connect with India?
Yes, I’ m very happy to be doing some workshops in India. I’ ve been there last year and people were so attentive, involved and curious and the musical connection just felt natural and fun. Very grateful for having the chance to come back and play some more and spending some wonderful time here.
Is this the first time you will be performing with Mohini and Rhythm? How did the India Tour along with Workshop take place?
Indeed it will be the first as a trio with Mohini and Rhythm. I’ m fully aware of their great playing and artistry and I can’ t wait to get this formation out on the road. And the combination of workshops and shows came together from the great work of Karan Mehta from Blue Tree and Ketan Mohite from Furtados School of Music, who made their magic happen bringing this whole thing together. Hope you enjoying our playing once we hit towns and cities.
You ' ve played for Thaikkudam Bridge and Raastha, two intrinsically indian bands. What did you think of the musicians and how do you think they are different from other artists you ' ve played with?
That was such a joyful, musical and dear experience. I felt musically respected and involved, which is the most honest and humbling impact music collaborations can give I think. The songs were nice to play and have a vibe and my instrumental‘ offerings’ were all welcomed and used, which I’ m very grateful for. Great artists, I feel honored and want to express my gratitude.
What was it like playing with Joe Satriani? How did that happen?
Well, we played for almost 5 years. So I can say that Joe is a dear friend and our musical chemistry is really locked in and we can communicate freely on stages and studios. Very nice person and an amazing player of course. How did that whole thing happen? I guess I have to thank my long time friend Mike Keneally for that. He played in Joe’ s band before and recommend Bryan and myself.
What was your experience like playing with Plini? Your style was noticeably different from your work with Joe Satriani and Steven Wilson. Was that intentional?
Oh cool. Well, Plini was a thing that was more close to the experience I’ ve had with the Indian artists I’ ve worked with. The collaboration felt unlimited and free and all the input was welcome. Not that it was not the case with Joe or Steven, actually these two artists totally let me have my freedom as well, but the Plini thing was a different approach and recording setting. I’ ve recorded to the tracks at my home. With Joe and Steven we were all together in the Studio for the album versions.
Are the Aristocrats working on some new material?
Can’ t speak for Guthrie and Bryan now, but we have songs I’ m certain we can somehow turn into a new‘ Aristocratic’ adventure. Let’ s see what the future brings, as we’ re currently all involved in different musical adventures.
Your chemistry with The Aristocrats is pretty much the best i ' ve ever seen. How do you guys go about writing your music?
Awwww, thank you so much for saying that. Surprisingly we all write the music completely and actually individually at our homes and then bring them to the group. Then we learn them, go into a studio and play them. It’ s I guess what chemistry is all about, it falls from the sky. You can’ t practice chemistry, it just really happens. And I guess in our case it seems to work in our favor.
Could you tell us five of your favourite tracks that you ' ve played on?
Difficult to say, as there are so many beautiful artists that so far I’ ve been fortunate to work with over the years. But I’ m very happy to have worked with the following 5 artists over the past years: Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani, Raasta and Thaikkudam Bridge, and I’ m not just saying the last 2 because of the upcoming tour.
You ' ve played all the instruments for your album pretty much by yourself. How do you approach composing your music when it comes to playing the drums, versus playing the guitar or another lead instrument?
It’ s all the same to me. Sometimes a nice idea happens by playing some melodies, riffs or chords. Or it could be just a groove falling form the sky, inspiring something to write. Then it could be topic related, like Borrego for example. Basically I had the vibe and sounds and stories all mapped out inside my head and then built the concept and made it into an album.
The Score Magazine
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