Who are we chatting to and what do you do in the band?
This is Keshav Dhar and I play guitar in Skyharbor.
Who are your biggest influences?
Karnivool, Radiohead, Deftones – those are probably the collective ones. Personally for me, Oceansize are a huge influence, as is Devin Townsend.
What do you love about making music?
The process of it. There’s a very primal joy in creating something from your imagination, and seeing it come to life. I actually get over songs fairly quickly after I’m done making them. It’s the making which is beautiful. It’s like meditation, and can be wonderful medicine for mental health. It’s ironic that the touring and business side of the industry is almost diametrically opposite to how stressful it is.
What drew you to progressive music?
It was the music of un-cool people when I was growing up, and I was always a bit of a misfit in my teens, very socially awkward, and just unable to get into the music that the cool kids were into. I was painfully bored with it and how safe it played. Progressive music allowed me to be king in my awkwardness, not needing to conform to anything or anyone.
If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your music, who would it be and why?
Maybe Mark Knopfler, for no other reason than to see what his reaction would be.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
Lots of intensity, a vibe that’s so dense it hangs in the air like clouds over you, and hopefully an experience that will stay with you for a while.
Catch Skyharbor at Progfest on Saturday January 26 in Melbourne, Sunday January 27 in Sydney, and Monday January 28 in Brisbane. Grab your tickets here.
Image via Argon Photography.
