Sheldon D’Silva is currently one of India’s leading Bass guitarists having performed with legends like John McLaughlin, Sting, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Avishai Cohen Trilok Gurtu, Louiz Banks and at the Capetown Jazz Festival,  ACC World Music Festival  and 19th Ulsan Jazz Festival, South Korea recently to name a few. He also doubles up as a Composer, Music Producer, Music Programmer and Arranger. Monarose Sheila Pereira caught up with him rec and got him to share his Musical journey with us.

What does the Bass mean to you?
Bass for me is the ultimate element in the architecture that bridges and binds the rhythm and melody in a harmonious foundation that cements the structure of the music. Bass guitarists add a certain groove, swing, tone and texture that cannot be substituted by keyboard programming. The Bass Guitarist plays a very important role in an Orchestra or a Band; he brings a certain charm and form to the music.

What does Music mean to you?
Music eventually becomes a voice of everything that you are molded from, so the more knowledge and experiences you fill yourself up with, the more profound your music will be. The bigger picture is all art, is beautiful and is all connected. . Music comes from a sacred place, it will feed your body and soul, so treat it with love and respect.

‘Music comes from a sacred place, it will feed your body and soul, so treat it with love and respect.’

How did you become a Bass Guitarist?
Music is my greatest inspiration. I never dreamt it would one day be a career, as I always thought I would be a Pilot or something nerdier. I was an A+ student pursued to study Applied Art at B.D. Somani School of Art and Fashion Technology and all along, Music was my only constant, my liberation from the world. It etched at me and showed me a world far greater than the one forced upon children these days. I was warned it would be a very difficult life and not very lucrative, music was the only path that set me free. I simply surrendered to its force, leaving my life in the hands of the Almighty.

What do you like about your career?
When you choose to make a living doing something you love and that makes you happy, it doesn’t feel like work, and in turn you put more effort, heart and passion into it. That eventually serves a much higher purpose, you become a better person, you innovate and become a role model for future generations Materialistic gains can only take you a certain distance, but the respect and satisfaction you get after doing what you love, is priceless, as you get to change the world and make a difference with innate qualities that you have been uniquely designed with. It’s a superpower, don’t ignore it, implement it. God takes care of artists, so don’t be afraid.

Tell us about your training?
Music practice is something that shouldn’t stop. Discipline is mandatory and to never stop practicing. I’m constantly thinking, breathing music don’t rush and be impatient, learn the nuances, learn its history and let it play through you. Do it as much as possible, and look into a practice regime by finding constant inspiration. Listen constantly to artists and watch them and copy them before you can find your own voice. Increase your vocabulary at the instrument, so you don’t stammer on your instrument. Ear training is a must. Thinking fast is harder than playing fast. Do your homework before you reach the workplace. Broaden your mind to all kinds of music without judgment, it will benefit you. Be present at all possible music events, watch and meet musicians and learn from their experiences. Play till your hands drop! Once in a while, shut yourself off and do something entirely different other than music and then restart. Very importantly when applying the above methods, make sure you are always happy doing them!

How long does one take to become a professional Musician?
Just remember you have to be good enough, that someone will want to pay you, for what you do. The more the payment, the more you need to be able to deliver. Professionals are capable of producing art that’s packaged well, is money’s worth, is innovative, serves the requirement in a timely manner and have the morals and ethics essential for a work environment. However long it takes you to achieve this, is how long you will take to be a professional.

What do you think of the current Music scenario?
An ever growing competitive industry, that has its flaws, can be demoralizing. Today the use of technology has put tons of musicians out of work; it’s a growth and understanding that we need to evolve from to realize what is more important. We as a community need to help one another, otherwise it’s a whirlpool that will eventually pull everyone down, including the ones who think they are in power. Artists are supported by their audiences and audiences are regaled by these artists, it’s a give and take, if either side stops, it will all end. Music is not a hobby; it’s a part of human growth and sustenance, so we should fund music and other art forms. Musicians and artists are the closest form of magic, perfection, and connection to God, that stir the audience’s soul and, they have bills to pay too.

‘Musicians and Artists are the closest form of magic, perfection, and connection to God, that stirs the audience’s soul and, they have bills to pay too.’

What do you like about being a musician?
The advantages are countless, you get to travel the world, stay in the fanciest of hotels, see places in the world you would have never dreamt of going on your own, meet people of all sects and societies, rich and poor, celebrities to heroes, enjoy plenty of luxuries, but more importantly make a difference to society and the world. You can have a voice than can change history, have the ability to help people and create awareness. Your name could be immortalized through your contribution, becoming an inspiration and guide to the youth and future. You can be the miracle and crux of evolution.

What are your plans for the future?
Honestly I’m not much of a planning type of guy. I go with the flow. If anything, I keep a few bullet points in mind. So some of them are working on my solo album and for my band Violet Chords, along with Reenie Mansata,Tubby, Gino Banks and Ravi Chary.  finishing up with projects that are pending, , honing my skills as a bass player and producer and probably looking to do more production, besides recording on multipleband projects like Merkaba, FunkTub, The Mekaal Hasan Band and Nexus. I’m also producing Ad jingles and recording on Bollywood movie soundtracks.

Monarose Sheila Pereira is an author, journalist and media lecturer.She has published several books and has written for all the major newspapers andmagazines. She has worked for All India Radio and Doordarshan. She alsoconducts self improvement workshops.

Hod Moshonov, also known by his stage name BEMET, is an Israeli record Producer. His primary genre can be characterized as Electronic Hip Hop but includes influences from EDM, Electro Pop, Arabic, Reggaeton, Drum and Bass, Jazz, and Rock. He has a huge fan following all over the world with the core in Israel, Brazil and India. He is also a qualified Jazz musician, Pianist and a great Performer. Bemet has been seeing great success with his latest song and video ‘Chicken Masala’ and also performing at Sunburn 2018. Raga to Rock decided to get an update from his beginnings to his love for ‘Chicken Masala’.

How do you describe your Music?
In my music there is a lot of Fusion, it's has Jazz, Classical, Oriental or Indian music and my videos are a little bit sexy. It is the larger part of my performance, and I think when people get to know and there are good vibes and positive responses.

What kind of DJ you wanted to be?
First of all I got to say this, I am not a DJ. It’s not a DJ show, you know, ‘DJs are the Rock stars today’. But I cannot call myself a DJ because you know when I see DJs I am not a DJ. First of all I am a Music Producer, Musician, Performer, Video Director all this I do myself, I do electronic music shows which looks like I am doing a big DJ show. First of all I play my guitar and I sing and I want to be recognized, I want to be a mainstream success and I want to be recognized in every household in the world.

Who is the artist you look up to?
There are some people, I am very influenced by, do you know people like Skrillex, you know I was a Jazz Musician I mean I am still a Jazz Musician. I play Piano, I like wearing suits and everything. One day I hear this guy Skrillex in my  school days, and I was like depressed for 1 month. He changed my life, so it's not that I want to be Skrillex, I want to be Bemet. He has done something amazing for Music, he made Electronic music for low people like non mainstream DJs who would think Okay!!, he is a DJ he is not a musician. But Skrillex came and changed the game.

How did you decide to make ‘Sababa’ song’s video in Chennai ?       
It was not in purpose I just felt it you know I was in Chennai and when I saw the streets ohh....it was so beautiful, the colors, this waslike a trip, like a song you knew.  I just took the camera walked around and shot the video and this is how video it was created.

?How did 'Chicken Masala' come about??
As you know in my video I always try to? explore more of the Indian culture., which i love so much and getting into the Bollywood vibe and mixed it with my eastern culture the place I come from Israel. There is Arabic rhythm and  melodies as well. I got this Israeli Indian singer Liora Isaac, she used to be a Bollywood singer in the 90's, she has  a great story then we started to work together. Every time I am on tour in India we are ordering food in the hotel, and the guy giving you the list of items on the menu and he always says order Chicken Masala without me having to say it. I found it funny. So in Hebrew I said Hello Raja, Chicken Masala and found it funny. Then I got this actor Sara Gurpal  she wanted to be on my video because she had seen ‘Sababa’..(my earlier video).Then we hooked with another sponsor and Tinder and they liked my song and we figured out my video , they liked my vision of this massive video.

How did you go about shooting your video?
?Chicken Masala ?for me is not a song but a project that took over 4 months I had  the vision of the video clip in my head. I knew I wanted color , humor,?? ?and i wanted to bring the movement of Me Too?.. I like women doing manly stuff and stuff like that. We went to Punjab and Rajisthan and we got this castle and we had a big Production? company?, they  do a lot of Punjabi and Bollywood films. I directed the video and I also wrote the script and edited, styling, choreography. It was my vision that came to life in this video

What is your next project?
We are working on it really hard on it right now. It is supposed to happen shortly and we are collaborating with one of the famous artist but I cannot reveal his name. He is a very famous Bollywood singer and I will be rapping with him and there are my own friends like DJ Sabbah and few more artists.

All the best…Bemet from all at Raga to Rock.