Motor Wade

International Band

We caught up with international band, Motor Wade.

When did each of you get into music?

Bhavneet: I started playing keys and harmonica in 3rd standard. But discontinued when marks dropped :D :P. I picked up guitar again in 2006. Then kept on playing at a slow pace throughout so far. Was involved with a few groups over the years, it got serious when I met Motor Wade folks. Played a lot of cover songs but then realised it’s the right time to get to some originals as well.

Rakesh: I always loved music but started pursuing it seriously during my college. I one day bought a guitar & since then I have been into music.

Varun: I was attending Carnatic vocal classes when I was in class 6. But music piqued my interest significantly when I was in class 11. It was around this time I started exploring classics like Oasis and The Beatles. I started out singing, and I felt like exploring instruments as well. I’d tried my hands on violin and mandolin before, before switching to bass. I spent hours listening to music across genres, interviews and clinics, and developed a good ear. I got my first bass on 26th August 2018, and it has been a different life from then on.

Santosh: Interest in music started fairly late in my life, about when I was 17 years old. But when it hit me, there was no looking back. It was a re-discovery, a liberation.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

We really can’t point at a single person or an isolated incident which inspired us to pursue a career in music. Overall the freedom of expression, happiness and satisfaction it gives keeps us driving. Especially when someone genuinely appreciates our music, that acts as a rocket fuel. The understanding we have as a band has improved and it’s starting to show in the music as well. Things which as a process used to take time are getting smoother day by day.

How has your music as a band evolved since you first began creating music together?

Music has been a great medium of expression for all of us. One could say a lot without saying. Our taste differences in the band helped to add multiple dimensions and color to the music that would come to make.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

Desire. It helps you to dream. The other emotions mentioned here can be interwoven with desire - the desire to experience joy, the desire to deal/not to deal with anger, the desire to follow one’s passion, and the desire to make oneself proud. A lot of songwriting prompts here. xD!

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique a band in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

Openness, natural and free form of expression. Our creative differences have actually helped us in bringing out interesting elements in the songs we’re working on. Our songs (work in progress) are an amalgam of personal elements combined with a variety of influences, with each song driven by a member of the band while the others contribute and bring the song to shape.

What has been your biggest challenge as musicians? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

One of our challenges has been to find forums to take our music to a wider audience. In that way we are very thankful to AMG Entertainment Network. We are making efforts to make ourselves visible to the listeners and we have let the art speak for itself. We want to pour our heart out via our music.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

Partially agreeable, suffer may not be the right word, may be “you must work for your art”. It does take quite an effort to get your music to people’s attention. And the music business is not an easy place. Sacrifices/ compromises are needed. Constant work and consistent discipline is required. It’s as they say “nothing comes easy”.

We have made sure to overcome our personal challenges to meet for a common cause, setting aside our differences and united by passion for music. We try to seize every opportunity to display our art to justify its importance.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has actually twisted the topography of the music business. The emphasis during the cassette and CD age was on album making. The internet age has emphasized more on live streaming, bigger outreach and digital platforms for music. On the contrary, it has downplayed supporting music as a career, upcoming artists face challenges as piracy or free art is exercised without boundaries. It has also provided listeners and music enthusiasts with option paralysis.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

We haven’t done any live-streams, yet. But we would absolutely love to do it.

If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

Music Industry has been compressed and confined. We would like to see more live show opportunities and sustainability. A re-birth in music vinyls, or copies would be great making it a tactile experience.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make each of you who you are today? And why?

Bhavneet: GnR’s Appetite for Destruction was the one that got me. I am totally crazy about the solos that Slash plays.

Rakesh: It’s definitely The Wall by Pink Floyd, Roja by A.R. Rahman, Greenday’s American Idiot, Stadium Arcadium by RHCP & Toxicity by System of a Down. Each of these albums is way different from the others but there is one thing in common. They all are genius compositions. The song structure is not very common yet the songs are popular among every common man. Each of these albums is way different from the others but there is one thing in common. They all are genius compositions. The song structure is not very common yet the songs are popular among every common man.

Varun: City Of Evil by Avenged Sevenfold has shaped my music persona. I’m a sucker for harmonies, be it vocal or instrumental. This album has both. Raspy vocals with several layers delivered with immaculate control, melodic lead guitar harmonies, solid bass rhythm that packs a punch, and intricate yet catchy guitar solos appeal to me a lot.

Santosh: Dark side of the moon, In absentia. Both albums are a sonic spectacle, they are great pieces of art to experience.

Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

Currently, an “untitled” album is in progress. The songs are based on several concepts and emotions.

What’s next for Motor Wade?

Motor Wade is young, there are new doors to open and newer places to be. More music would follow as it falls to place. We are looking forward to playing live and reaching out to the world with our own material.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

Fans can access our music on all major streaming platforms by searching “Motor Wade”. They can also head down to motorwade.com to learn more about us.