INTERVIEW WITH KAIHON [UAE]
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| Reuben Bhattacharya / Visual Amnesia |
Jude: I’ve known Bam
since high school. Once I came back to the UAE, after getting done with college
back in India, we started jamming together and after coming up with some riffs
we decided to start a band. That’s how the project started off. We were
originally called Ciojn, but because so many people used to go “lolwut ?” we
decided to use the literal pronunciation of the word itself, which is Kaihon.
Lalit: I came to Dubai for work a year back. I was completely clueless about this place and I didn’t know anyone in the music scene personally. It took me a couple of months to get adjusted with the place and sort everything out. I visited a few gigs to check the live music scene here, and I must say I quite loved it. In order to keep my voice in check, I started doing vocal covers on YouTube and posted the first one on a few facebook music groups & forums. Jude & Bam then contacted me and talked about the project. I heard some of the music the guys had been working on and agreed to join them.
Describe Kaihon’s sound;
what are your influences?
Jude: That’s really hard to describe. I hate
putting a label on things, because I think they alienate the listener and set
up walls where there shouldn’t be any. But if I was really pressed for it, I’d
say we’re a death metal band that likes to keep things on the groovier side.
Influences, well that’s another really hard question to answer since between the three of us, there are probably 15-20 bands that influence how we write music, and that number increases every few days.
But I would
say I’m primarily influenced by Strapping Young Lad, Cynic, Lamb of God and
Crowbar. But recently, I do find myself listening to a lot of Kvelertak and Opeth’s latest album is really interesting.
Crowbar. But recently, I do find myself listening to a lot of Kvelertak and Opeth’s latest album is really interesting.
Jude: "Pathological" is actually the second song we wrote and decided to
release that as a single because it is one of the more straightforward tracks
on the EP. Like I said we try to keep a
particular theme in mind for each song written, and try to have both the music
and the lyrics reflect that. It could be anything: an ideal, a word or a state
of mind. For instance, for "Pathological", the theme in mind was acceptance, the
story of a person trying to not shy away from who he really is as opposed to
who he’s trying to be. We try not to get too preachy but it creeps in anyway.
Pathological is part of a
debut EP that you guys have been working on. Tell us about the writing and
recording process, when we can expect it, and other details.
Jude: I handle most of the writing and the recording process is usually me
recording everything at home and keeping the other guys updated on what I’m
working on. We then meet to refine and tweak the material until we come up with
a final product that we’re all happy with.
The
EP consists of 5 songs and should be sent in for the final mixing and mastering
stages by April, with a tentative release date of late May- early June.
The three of you have
played in bands in different scenes, but two of you have been involved outside
of the UAE as well. Tell us about how your respective experiences have helped
the band. How would you differ the Dubai (UAE) scene from the others?
Jude: Well, I was lucky enough to play with some very talented
musicians in my previous band, but as far as the intrinsic side of being in a band
goes, I’ve learnt that musical prowess isn’t the only thing that’s key to
making a band click.
While ego and respect for ones work is important to any artist, being in a band is about compromise, and finding people who share your vision and drive makes it easier for you to write music that is genuine.
The Dubai scene has exploded in the past few years that I’ve been away. I’m really happy to see so many people supporting the local scene and showing up for gigs, and it only seems to be getting more expansive.
I come from Goa, which is known more for its clubbing scene, so there wasn’t
much scope for live music there, let alone a metal band. If there were any gigs, which came around
about every 5-6 months or so, you’d be stuck with a crowd of about 10-15
people, 30 if you were lucky. And half of them would be waiting for you to get
offstage so that the resident DJ could start his set.
So I can tell you guys here in the UAE that you are very lucky to be having such stellar gigs so frequently. There has been a lot of unsettlement on the scene due to some very unfortunate circumstances that are allegedly the result of some underhanded cloak and dagger bullshit. But I am sure, without a doubt, that the metal scene will only grow stronger from it.
Lalit: I have been playing for various bands in India for more than 9
years now. I’ve interacted & played
with various musicians, artists, and people. Every single individual brings a
different experience and learning. It can affect you positively, negatively or
go both ways as well.
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| Reuben Bhattacharya / Visual Amnesia |
As far as the music scene in Dubai is concerned, I am highly impressed.
Dubai has a very active music scene. There are gigs happening almost every
weekend. The amount of crowd support for the bands that perform here is
amazing. It’s like a closely knitted family, and everybody helps out. I really
can’t wait to get back on stage.
What are some of your
favorite bands from the UAE and the Middle East?
Jude: I would say Voice of the Soul and Alpha.Kenny.Buddy (AKB) are my favorite acts in the local
scene. Both of them put on a killer live show and I always find myself having a
good time when they’re playing their set.
I was also recently introduced to a local band
called Static Theory that has some very talented musicians. Also, a shout out
to the dudes in Apeira. They’re cooking up some amazing stuff that I can’t wait
to hear.
Lalit:
I haven’t seen all the bands here but bands like Voice of the Soul, Benevolent,
Svengali, Point of View, Alpha.Kenny.Buddy (AKB) are clearly my favorites. It’s
always a treat to see these bands live.
Any final words for
Metality readers?
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