SANATHANA & SANHATA

31.01.2019

INTERVIEW

Why is your project called Sanathana?

I'm not so much for the Glorification of Names and Identities at all, actually! But, the way I see it is that the masses tend to understand and adhere to 'Names', ' Titles' and when 'Identities' are created and then associated with either an Idea or a Philosophy. Conditioned by this mindset, I decided to have an Identity that describes what I personally feel and believe in. I believe in the 'Eternal Truth'. Not individual perception and ideology based truth but the truth out there that cannot be debated upon. In this personal quest, i did some research to find out a singular word or name that would best describe this and i found 'Sanathana'.

How did you know psychedelic music?

In Yr. 1995-96, when I was studying Engineering in Electronics, one of my close friends who happened to be a Hacker and part of the Dark Web those days, introduced me to some Experimental and Electronic Music that was being called Goa Trance those days. Many were using this music style for Games and was quite popular on a site called MP3.com. My friend introduced me to Music by - Etnica, SFX, Shiva Shidapu, Astral Projection and many other such bands and solo projects. I instantly connected with the Vibe and feeling and absolutely loved it. Then i started experimenting on creating such music on my old IBM XT-PC working with MOD files.

How has the musical evolution of the first album been to the last one you have released?

To be honest, i get bored and tired of my own work from individual track to track basis. The first Album was 'Puppets' and it was a mixed bag of experimentation with styles and various genres / sub-genres. With experience and more time spent in creation and sound exploration, I started to implement this in new work i did and every EP and Album progressed from there on. Till date, I am not satisfied with what I'm doing and the Journey continues till I possibly can! The Latest Album which is a Double CD Album - Sanathana and Sanhata - i - Is another Mixed bag of styles that was predominantly improvised and written using 95% Hardware Only.

Tell me your experience in psychedelic music?

Psychedelic Music to me is perhaps one of the most Varied Genres out there where Musically anything goes. There is always room for further exploration and possibilities of new ideas to be implemented. However, personally I have not been listening to a lot of Psytrance or related sub genres for many years because for the past few years the sounds seem to be more of a Copy or trying to sound similar to an already released piece of Music. The same sounding leads, Similar Basslines, the same 4/4 time signature based Electronic Dance Music Approach and lacks innovation. In short, I got a little bored of the same thing, sounding similar and just done in a different way. However, Psychedelic Music as a broader umbrella, I still listen to a lot of Music, especially if its created with fresh new ideas and approach and has an Artistic touch to it with Humanised approach to creation no matter what tools are used to create such a feeling!
According to me and my Personal Opinion / feeling - Psychedelic Music needs to have that, which challenges the Human Psyche to feel different and activates areas of the Unknown, Non Conforming, Other Worldly Feelings, That which challenges Individual Conditioning and Perception - Not Just Physically as a means of Dance but also Mentally, Emotionally and Psychologically.

Recommend 5 psychedelic music artists, please.

1 - Pink Floyd, 2 - Jimi Hendrix, 3 - Jefferson Airplane, 4 - The Doors, 5 - Shpongle (Old Albums)Let's talk about your Samana Records project.

Why did you create a project like that, what is the purpose?

Samana Records is a label I started off to share Hand Picked Music - Psychedelic, Avantgarde, Experimental, IDM, Psytrance, Chillout, Fusion etc.
Every once in awhile I love to donate some food to the needy or perhaps help out for a charity cause where I invest in this personally and the earnings from the Label helps me in doing just this!
Samana Records is mainly a Music Release Platform for Unique Music that doesn't conform to Norms as far as possible and Out-of-the-box styles and approach to Music Experimentation is always encouraged and appreciated.

What is the purpose of Sanathana?

A: Sanathana - As a project will continue to work with sound exploration and creation of Music that is Dance Friendly but does not always conform to an expected Norm. It is a combination of Complex Mathematics of counting combined with the natural feeling of Human Count by means of 'Live' Hardware Improvisation as the predominant technique for creation of sound or vibration.Thus, I personally don't know what genre it fits in.

With which artists have you collaborated in your career?

In terms of Music Collaborations, I have had the privilege of working with some artists such as: Ariane MacAvoy AKA Amba Giri (Nimba), Steve Schroyder (Ex - Tangerine Dream), Rajiv Harriharan (Hand Pan Musician), Shubangi Joshi (Jazz and Blues Singer / Songwriter), Miguel (Khaos Sector and Brainstretch), Makus (Overdream), Georgio (Oblium), David Chaim (The Dog of Tears), Johan (Konvndrvm), Eze (Paranoiac), Goa Gil AKA Sri Mangalanand Puri & Ariane MacAvoy (The Nommos).
More Collaborations with friends and other music producers in progress as a part of the Swaroop and Friends Album.

Apart from your albums that you have mastered for who else have you done that work?

I did a lot of free mastering work for many other Artists in the past. I even forgot some names of who all i did this for. It was a means of my own learning and experimentation. Most of the releases on Samana Record is also Mastered by me. However, I must specify that I am not a Certified Mastering Engineer and i rely only on my Ears, feelings and perception of sound for Mastering.Some Clients Include: MadMuzic Records (India), Sacred Sound (India), Umber Vamber Project (Russia).

What can we expect from Sanathana in the future?

The same as it has been so far. I really don't know most of the time of what I'm doing but I love the process of Sound Exploration and Creating Music as a Form of Art. So this will continue as long as I can.

What do you contribute to music?

Contribution to Music, is a Huge thing and I think I'm just a normal man who loves to do what keeps himself happy doing what he loves to do. So, in terms of my Contribution, I really can't answer this from my perspective. I guess I would rather leave this to the Listeners, supporters and my friends to answer this part!

Tell me your opinion about how to get to the state of Goa.

My Personal view on this is based on my own experience in the actual state of Goa. For me, it has become too commercial. There are places to be by oneself and enjoy the beauty of the sea and perhaps catch the sunset or sunrise. For this, Goa is still a beautiful - State of Mind. In terms of Music, it has now become a 'Trend Follower' and 'Promoter' rather than a 'Trend Setter' and and 'Example' - Like it used to be - many....many.....years ago!

What is your advice for the new Dj / producers who want to be recognized on the scene?

My Advice - Don't look for that 'Recognition' or fame or trying to fit in by means of acceptance. Be different, unique and do what you love from your heart without having expectations, emotionally! Do your thing with all your heart and 'Believe' in yourself, the energy and effort you put into something 'Different' and the rest will come to you whenever it has to come to you! - If you wait for that something, it is a limitation already that creates many other expectations that could hamper the Creative Flow.

In which festivals have you presented your Live Act?

In terms of 'Live' Improvisational presentation, I was a part of the Psy-O-Chestra collective and we performed at ' BOOM Festival' together as a Unit at the Dance Temple. In terms of Individual performance, I have played at GAIA Gathering (Lithuania), Aatmik Ritual (India), Mystical Gathering (India).Most of my bookings are for Long Live Sets of between 10-14 Hours where I present and play the Music written by me and for this, there have been many such Gatherings across the globe, with the Grace of this Universal Energy. I have played Long Presentation sets in - India, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Brazil, Oman, U.A.E, Nepal, California (US) and the journey continues....

How did you write the album The Voice of Non (Album 2017)?

This Album was written in my New Studio from India when I moved back here from the UAE. So, this album was outcome of a combination of Live Improvisation using Hardware Synthesizers and DSP Effects from the DAW. Like all other Albums, I never plan out an album and just let the workflow and see where it goes. Later after 6 - 10 months of writing music, I sit and listen to the work completed and then decide on how an Album might work out for a release - Mostly based on a Theme or Concept. Some Albums and EP's are specifically written from start to finish keeping a common Theme or Idea in Mind while writing or improvising.

Tell us about your project Alignaka (Oblium & Sanathana)?

I had a booking by Labyrinthine Crew, managed by Oblium, in Switzerland and when i was there, is when we decided to start the Project - Alignaka. It was spontaneous where we recorded our jam session and an EP developed in the process. Later, when I got back home, we worked on a full length Album, sending each other stems to work with. It is a Project that is Parked and Dormant now but we leave options open to perhaps another EP or Album in future! No Plans yet and lets see how things go!

Tell me about your SG Designs project.

SGDesigns is where it all started for me actually. I used to do traditional Art and Sketching and later went deep into the Digital Realm of using computers for Graphics and Design. This is where SGDesigns started off. It is a Graphic Designing Portal where I work with Mixed Media Graphics creating CD Covers, Flyers, Logos, Brochures, Brand Identity, Corporate Makeovers and the like.

What influences does Sanathana have?

The Eternal Truth, Life and Death, Mother Nature in all her forms, The Unknown.

What is your favorite food?

Fruits, Vegetables, Dry Fruits and Nuts

What is a common Swaroop day like?

Changes Everyday most often. No set Pattern as such. The only thing consistent is that I cannot sit Idle or in front of a Television or Similar mediums and do nothing or get myself conditioned, anymore. I always have this Urge to keep doing something, challenging my mind and processes, create something no matter what form it is etc. So a usual day is always a Busy Day. hahaha!!! :D

Apart from producing psychedelic music, what else do you do?

Traditional Art from Sketching to Painting sometimes, Digital Graphic Design, Cooking, Outdoor Activities whenever I can, Photography and so on....

How was the SaAmash project created?

When I was booked for a 12 - 14 hours Sanathana and Sanhata gathering for California (San Francisco / US), I personally met up with Johan who invited me to his House and we ended up working on a free flowing, no rules kind of approach to creating some Avantgarde psychedelic music - all in one Night till about 5Am - This became the first release of our EP and the Project was Born.

Tell me about your new album Sanathana and Sanhata - i - (Album 2018)?

This Double Album is a Mixed bag of Psychedelic Music. Pretty much non conforming to any specific sub genre. It was all written using my current Modular Synthesizer that I am working on along with other hardware synthesizers. 90% of this album is an outcome of pure hardware improvisation and layered recordings. This is what I can say about this and I leave the rest up to the ones who would choose to Listen :)

SANHATA

If you could travel to the future, would you change anything?

No, Not a thing. All is how it is and was meant to be to get me to this moment.

Why is your name Sanhata?

Sanhata, means Consciousness and as a Project Name started off as a Parallel project when I had EP ready for release but at the same time, Sanathana project had an Album ready for release so i thought of creating another project name for further experimentation with sound and frequency.

To which record labels does Sanhata belong?

It is an independent Project. However, some EP's and Albums have been released on Various Labels. To name a few would be - Samana Records, Ektoplazm, Active Meditation Music, Labyrinthine Crew.

What is the mission of sanhata?

Experimentation, Exploration of Sound and Vibration. No rules, Self Expression, Sound-Art and so on.

What inspires you to make psychedelic music?

Energy all around.

What does Sanhata offer on the battlefield?

Hahaha!!! :D I don't know because everyone is their own little created Battlefield based on so many factors.All your albums are beautiful, but if you had to choose one.

Which one would you choose?

Really Cannot Choose any One particular, as to me all are totally different from each other. Each has a different feeling, mood and experience of its own!

What is your relationship with Goa Gil?

Goa Gil and I are Close Friends. I respect him as a person and his work over the years on a professional level. I connected with him personally when Miguel (Khaos Sector) sent our Split Album to him and he featured it in his Charts and later called me on Skype. Since then, I have been sending him all the music I write. Sometimes he played this Music in his sets and also has featured some EP's and Album, over the years. We are close friends that share our lives with each other, whenever we can!

THANK YOU FOR THIS INVITATION FOR THIS INTERVIEW.

Best Regards,

Swaroop Guhathakurta