Primarily a lyricist from Thane, India, Jayesh Raikar has no musical background and no formal training as a songwriter. In spite of these constraints, he is the proud owner of three SoundCloud pages that each deal with different genres including: electronic, heavy metal and alternative. He more recently started constructing songs using Loops and Samples. Secondarily, he is responsible for each project’s art work.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Jayesh about his latest projects, adapting during a pandemic, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
My name is Jayesh Raikar and I am from Thane, Maharashtra, but I am well rooted in my state of birth, Goa. I grew up in Maharashtra, but Goa runs in my blood.
Whatever sounds good to me is my style of Music irrespective of the genre, subject or language. As a Lyricist primarily, I have explored genres from Pop to Heavy Metal and have collaborated with independent musicians around the world online. As a result, I have three SoundCloud pages of my own exploring three genres where I have led the projects from my end in addition to the collaborations I have worked on, that have been led by and hosted by Musicians on their respective pages.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
Music has always been on my mind. Pursuing Music as a career is quite a tricky choice in middle class India and as a result, I focused more on my academics. But Music was never going to leave me and that was for sure.
Then came a time when I went through a phase of creating things of my own rather than admiring what the others created. I moonlighted to write Lyrics through my years of college and career, exploring subjects that were unexplored by mainstream Musicians. Not having a background of Music in your family or friends does slow a person down, but doesn’t stop him or her. If you love something, you never leave it behind.
Technically, I am not a part of the Music Business. I am just an outsider who works with fellow artists online and comes up with songs that we feel are worth it.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
2021 was a good year! We began with the release of the acoustic trilogy From beyond the Mountains (on Masala Central). We then turned to Heavy Metal and released the Hektor trilogy (on Messiah). The second half of the year saw the release of two Singles (on Glitch Monkey), Undeterred and Who is the Enemy?
From approaches like making Music completely with Loops to making Music completely devoid of Loops, to something in between, we explored it all. From subjects ranging from the tyranny of Kings to dancing to doom, we explored it all.
For the moment, creating songs using free Internet Loops is what I am after, personally. The Glitch Monkey SoundCloud page has been created precisely for this Music.
The latest release, Who is the Enemy? (featuring the Vocals of Giovanni Francioso), is a result of me spending too much time watching new channels who are selling us a circus. I wasn’t aiming for it, but once the words and ideas start flowing in your head, it’s best not to stop them.
Who is the Enemy?: https://soundcloud.com/project-glitch-monkey/who-is-the-enemy
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
Creatively, I was never in a bad position because I was never in a favorable position in the first place. I have been writing Lyrics and working on songs in whatever time I got after my job hours before the pandemic struck. The COVID-19 pandemic changes nothing. The fires have been burning and the flames are reaching for the sky, and they shall stay that way.
What was the last song you listened to?
System of a Down: I-E-A-I-A-I-O (Steal this Album!)
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks?Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
I am from a generation that started off with Cassettes. Currently, Streaming platforms are the next big thing (if not already!) and they have changed the way things are run in the Music industry, haven’t they?
The issue of Music piracy has been fixed with the entry of Streaming platforms, which is a good thing. But the concept of Albums will fade, since the focus is on Singles.
Needless to say, the listener has been the clear winner in this game. Never before did we have access to so much Music from established artists and unknown nobodies. We get the best of both worlds.
As an artist, Streaming Platforms are like thousand of prayers answered.
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
My SoundCloud pages are as follows:
Glitch Monkey (Electronic): https://soundcloud.com/project-glitch-monkey
Messiah (Heavy Metal): https://soundcloud.com/project-messiah
Masala Central (Alternative): https://soundcloud.com/masala-central
I really appreciate Your time.Anything else before we sign off?
If you have liked what I have offered till now, you should fasten your seat belts because what’s coming will hit you like a truck! I have tonnes of material that will blow people’s minds away! Stay tuned!
