If you are a heavy metal head or a guitar enthusiast and you have not heard of Michael Angelo Batio and his antics, you are surely living in another world. Anyone who has watched Michael Angelo Batio on YouTube would tell you about his renowned jaw-dropping speed on the guitar. Batio is not the only guitarist who plays the double neck guitar or the V neck guitar; there are many others like Slash of Guns N’ Roses to Steve Vai to name a few.

In India we have our own shredder Mumbai based Ravi Iyer who not only believes that even though his music is mainly instrumental; his vocals come out through the strains of his guitar.

Instead of sporting an office tie, there is a double-necked guitar slung around his neck, as he goes around spreading his fusion guitar experiment, staying true to the essence of his project, fusing Hindustani classical compositions with other genres, with an emphasis on the guitar.

Verus Ferreira spoke with critically acclaimed guitarist – composer - music educator Ravi Iyer to know his musical journey.

Let’s go back in time. How did you get into taking up music?

Belonging to a typical Tamil Brahmin family, I was exposed to both Hindustani and Carnatic Classical Music right from my birth. It was evident that my parents wanted me to learn Indian classical music and my mother enrolled me in tabla classes with late Shri V. Acharekar in Parel (Mumbai, India) when I was barely 7 years of age. This period was around 1975. Later in my teens, I took a liking to guitar and continued thereafter as a guitar player.

As a guitarist, how did you learn the instrument? Did you attend any classes to learn the instrument?

Yes, I began with private classes starting with late Bismarck Rodriguez, later pursuing my lessons with Christopher Rodricks (currently based in UK) and Mr. John Timothy (Mumbai) 1982 onwards.

You went on to form your own band Witchhammer during the early 90s. Tell us something about it?

My only ambition during the late 80’s was to form a rock band. After a very long wait I finally got this opportunity to form my band. It was our then band manager who approached me saying he heard about me through some common friends, and he mentioned we could form a rock band. To me as I distinctly remember that day was like a dream come true. So, I immediately jumped at the offer and asked him if there’s a lineup ready. He mentioned he has a ready bassist and a second guitar player, and he was looking for a lead guitar player, drummer, and a singer. I was more than happy to help and finally I managed to complete the first line-up with the lead singer and later I also managed to arrange for a drummer as well. So that’s how Witchhammer was co-formed, and we have had some most memorable concerts of our lifetime that we performed across Mumbai, Pune, and Goa back then. Headlining college festivals, specially the IIT Mood Indigo (Mumbai), The Don Bosco School Fair (Mumbai) and the works. Later down the years with couple of line-up changes and few rough patches, finally the band continued without me from 1993 onwards and not sure when it was dissolved. Not able to handle the loss of being a part of a rock band, this was the period I completely gave up my dreams and passion for music and took up a white-collar job in sales and advertising. I quit music for good, till it rekindled in the year 1997 once again.

That’s when you formed Vayu in 1997 and an alternative band Para Vayu in 2008. Take us through the journey of these great bands and what work you’ve done with them. Also why did you rename Vayu to Para Vayu?

Being an ardent classic rock music fan myself, I came across like-minded musicians in 1997 and I decided to resign from my white-collar job and decided to pursue my dreams once again. Vayu was formed alongwith the co-members then, and later with couple of line-up changes in Vayu, finally Vayu was permanently dissolved, and Para Vayu was formed in the later years around 2009. Honestly to me the name did not ever really matter whether it was Vayu earlier and Para Vayu later, but to acknowledge the fact, Para just meant another evolved part of Vayu with a shift in the music catering more towards self-written original compositions exploring music beyond stylistic boundaries.

Whereas Vayu was known more for its covers dominated repertoire. The name of a band is given as an identity to the band with the consent of the then existing band members. So, in my opinion every band member is equally responsible for naming the band and the prospects of the band.

You released quite a few albums too?

The albums released with both the bands were ‘Wings of a Dream and ‘Soul Alive – a live album. ‘Wings Of A Dream’ was released in the year 2009 and the album was launched one year of disbanding in late 2007, when I approached the then existing 4 members to get together just once for the sake of our fans as the album had already been mastered and ready. The 4 members unanimously agreed to share the responsibility (monetarily as well as collective spirit-wise) of releasing the album for the sake of our eagerly waiting fans. We performed two launch concerts back then in two different popular venues in Mumbai on two consecutive dates. After our successful launch at the first venue, to our shocking surprise, our lead singer did not even turn up to perform for the launch on the next consecutive date at the second popular venue. Unfortunately, and embarrassingly, we had to perform the second day without our lead singer’s presence. Vayu has been completely dissolved since then. ‘Soul Alive’ was done by Para Vayu and the album was released in 2010.

So you initially started out with rock music and moved over to alternative and then fusion. Has the shift helped you as a musician to enhance your music?

Even though I moved to alternative or fusion, I yet am and always will be a rock guitarist as I started with and known for. Moreover, since none of my dreams of continuing with a rock band really lasted long and with all due respect to the glorious years with each band while it lasted, I then decided to work on few of my projects I had been conceptualizing. I guess a shift in music genres has no boundaries for a musician as-long-as a musician is satisfied in whatever genre he or she excels in and enjoys performing. There by enhancing one’s a musical offering by way of commercial enhancement or creative enhancements.

In my case, it was more of creative enhancements, and I used to simultaneously experiment with my guitar sounds like every other guitar player would. Those days I am talking about the 90’s again (throwback) when I used to jam with an excellent guitar player viz; Zulfi and I must confess he did introduce me to this alternate tuning with intervals of 1and 5, like the Indian Classical system of tuning which is Sa and Pa. We used to have a lot of fun playing with that tuning which somehow strongly stayed in my mind. Later around 2000, I again began working with that tuning and my mother being a Visharad in Hindustani Classical vocal music could also relate to this tuning system better than the regular standard guitar tuning. She used to guide me with the nuances of the ragas which I founded exciting to add my rock style of playing with. From there on I started developing a taste for fusion music. Though I don’t prefer being categorized as a purist I went ahead with my experiments and the producer in me started to search for the sound I had in mind to translate in a more communicable fashion.

You are one of the very few musicians to play the double neck guitar; can you tell us something about this guitar?

Well, double neck guitars always existed as we all know the famous song Stairway to Heaven and Hotel California and many others in the rock genres where double-neck guitars were used. The only difference in my set up is mainly the change of two tuning systems on each neck to be able to play the western tunes which are harmony oriented as well as melodic raga-based renditions with the Indian tuning specifically which is what I wanted handy to switch between my performances. So, it was purely my own need-based decision to get myself a handcrafted custom-built guitar. I approached Mumbai based luthier Sunil Shinde (SS Musicals) to handcraft the design and the tone I had in mind, and I must say I am more than happy with what he handcrafted for me.

What prompted you to take up the double neck guitar, considering it is large and could pose a problem to carry around for gigs?

As I mentioned earlier, there’s specifically a particular sound and style I was looking for hence I got this double - neck guitar built. As far as carrying equipment for gigs, I guess the dedication, love and passion for our instruments surpasses the travelling difficulties. And currently due to the worldwide pandemic let’s hope for the best for all anyways.

Since when have you been playing the double neck guitar and is it easy to learn the instrument? Give us the pros and cons.

My double neck guitar was ready around 2013 so guess around 8 to 9 years now. Regarding playing difficulty or anything to be learnt... yes. Since the raga melodies are played on the alternate tuning, the notes must be re-mapped according to the raga played with the new tuning system. But I specifically use this to bring out a much different sound as opposed to playing the same ragas on the western standard tuning. I find the shapes I achieve for the ragas on the Indian tuning neck give out a certain aura and a tranquil feeling.

You have also released around four solo albums. Just what each of these albums are all about?

I have released 5 albums totally until now. Two of the rock albums along with the earlier rock bands are already mentioned above. I just would like to share that I have always admired live albums, so I initiated one live album that we released with my earlier rock band Para Vayu as mentioned above and again I released another live album with my Solo Guitar Fusion Project titled ‘Bends’. This album was also nominated for the best fusion album of the year during GIMA Awards 2013.

Later again with my Guitar Fusion Project, which is now my current solo project as an Independent Artist, I released a studio album viz; Raga Punch, which won the best recorded, album at IRAA Palm EXPO 2016, and I had the honor of sharing this award with Shekhar Kusuma who mixed and mastered my album.

But my most memorable and cherished album is ‘Rocking Raga’ which was my debut album released by C.P. Joseph at Raga 2 Rock Magazine under his label Ragatorock Records in the year 2006.

You also write you own songs. What do most of your songs talk about?

I do not write always unless triggered by a certain thought I have which compels me to write. Two of my lyrically self-written songs that I released are topics with a social message. These are thoughts that occur to me due to some practical real-life situations I may have faced, heard, read, or come across. So yes, I do like to write about social issues, or an inspiring message behind the composition. I usually prefer attaching a concept behind every song that I write or compose.

You also fuse poetry into some of your songs. Explain.

I recently released an Art Song which comprises of music composed by me, but the poem that I used has been originally written by my granddad who was a poet, philosopher, and an excellent writer sans name and fame. There are many poems written by him which are highly inspirational and overwhelming to read even today though written around the period 1920 – 1930s.  He has seen the period of the World War as well as experienced India during the British rule. So many of his writings are very inspirational and educational in a way, hence I decided to add my contribution to his work musically and publish his work too. One of the Art Songs which feature his poem called Liberty has been beautifully narrated by K.C. Loy. I will soon be releasing another of his poem.

As a music educator you also conduct private guitar lessons online at Ravi Iyer Academy. Can you tell us more on this?

I have been giving private guitar lessons since past 25 years and so whether I teach in person on one on one or online, does not really matter. I believe every teacher is a learner first and teaching is a noble profession itself. If one is true to what he or she teaches the trust and the learning experience for both the student and the teacher is always a fulfilling and a spiritual experience. Every teacher and every student are unique. It’s about the right compatibility and the bond that matters between both. Since these private lessons may differ if compared to a Music University or a Conservatory approach, one must be clear and understand the equation of each accordingly and respect both the schools for the benefits they offer in the long run.

Presently, do you have a band you play with regularly or do you play as a session musician?

As mentioned earlier my Guitar Fusion Project exists always and I love to collaborate with other like-minded musicians and compose my music beyond stylistic genres. As a session musician I am always open as-long-as the session caters to the best of my ability and capability that I can deliver in my genre and style. Be reminded, musicians are artists first and not machines!

Since the pandemic happened, have you released any new music?

I found myself releasing couple of thought-provoking podcast episodes which are available across all podcast platforms worldwide. My podcast show is called ‘Thought Bits with Ravi Iyer’. Moreover, my life has always been going slow and steady at its own pace, so I did not need to slow down really, unlike many others who belong to the fast-paced industry.

You’ve done some unheard of and rarely covered cover songs from artists like Ozzy Osbourne ‘Close My Eyes Forever’, Eric Clapton’s ‘Autumn Leaves’. Any Indian artist that has inspired you to do a cover which you have worked on?

Yes, I do produce covers occasionally, but I am very particular about the covers I choose, either to do with my passionate liking towards it or turns out to be an exclusive tune lyrically or musically that usually go unnoticed by us at times. Amongst the Indian artists, I was very content to pay my tribute to the legend late Gautam Chattopadhyay, whose song writing skills, I find way ahead of his time as well as ours. All my tributes are easily accessible on my YouTube channel.

What are you working on lately?

On self-introspection, betterment of a lifestyle, compassion, acceptance, and my musical offerings! I have always vouched for the meme ‘Less is more’!

What advice would you give to upcoming guitarists?

Try and develop an individualistic sound and style instead of ending up sounding like another.

Do check out his website www.raviiyerfusion.com  

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira