Take us back to the very beginning — how did the guitar first find its way into your life?
My father was the one who introduced me to music. I was around four years old, and I used to spend a lot of time listening to his CDs and cassettes. I was fascinated by what I was hearing, even though I obviously didn't understand much about music at that age. His collection had artists like Michael Jackson, the Eagles, Carlos Santana, The Beatles and Pink Floyd, and I think those early influences stayed with me. I actually started with the piano and had my first stage performance when I was four. But as I grew up, I became more and more drawn to the guitar. I still remember hearing the Hotel California solo and getting chills. I would just sit there and listen to it and think, “I want to play like that.” Around the age of ten, I started learning guitar properly. By then, the interest had already been there for years. So I think the guitar was really a natural progression from growing up around all that music. It started with simply being fascinated by what I was hearing, and eventually, I wanted to pick up the instrument and create those sounds myself.
What's the first moment you remember when playing music truly clicked for you?
For me, it’s when I realize I’ve been sitting for hours learning or composing something, and I completely lose track of time. I get so focused that everything else just fades away. I remember feeling that way even when I was learning pieces I really loved. There’s something about that feeling that just makes me genuinely happy and reminds me how much music means to me.
Is there a teacher or musician who shaped the way you play — someone whose lessons or influence stuck with you?
My father was the one who laid the foundation for my musical journey. I took my initial music lessons from him, and his influence has always been there throughout my journey. Even today, I continue to learn from him. I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from the incredible Brazilian guitarist Icaro Paiva. His lessons taught me many of the essential techniques on the guitar and helped me build a strong foundation as a guitarist.
What's the story behind this winning piece — what were you going for when you played it?
“Impressions” started when I was checking out the Cali plugin by Neural DSP. I came up with the first lick and then slowly built the whole track around it. The djenty riff with the synth wobbles was just me experimenting with different feels, and I was also listening to a lot of David Maxim Micic around that time. The whole idea was to finish the track within a week, and I had a lot of fun writing it. The song is about a memory that leaves a mark on your soul, those mesmerizing moments when you see something come to life because of something you did, and realize how deeply that moment stays with you.
What is this guitar, and what makes it the one you keep coming back to?
This is the Vader V7X by Kiesel. It’s special to me because it was my first proper guitar. I honestly believe having an incredible guitar can really inspire you to play, practice and write more, and it definitely did that for me. Everything just felt so easy with this guitar, from getting the tones I wanted to the intonation. I can pick it up and play it anywhere without thinking twice. And the best part is that it’s headless! people sometimes think I’m carrying a violin! It’s also so easy to travel with, especially when flying.
Walk us through this solo — which moment in it are you proudest of?
The song is called “Weightless,” composed by Sai Sanjith. Sai approached me for a guitar session and sent me the demo. I was instantly hooked the moment I heard it, and it got me really excited to start working on the track. We started sharing ideas, and everything worked out perfectly. To be honest, I’m proud of every single second of that solo. I’d say “Weightless” is definitely one of my best works so far, and I’m really happy with how it came together.
You've stepped into solo contests set by guitarists like Plini and Sarah Longfield — whose playing has shaped your own sound the most?
I’d say Plini has been a huge inspiration for my guitar playing. I discovered him accidentally on YouTube, and the moment I heard his music, I remember thinking, “Guitar instrumental music can be this way?” The sound and the way he played were so appealing to me. That’s what got me deeper into the progressive world. From there, I started exploring more interesting artists and bands, and it really opened up a whole new side of music for me.
Which track did you choose, and why does this one stay with you?
“Elysium” is an instrumental track I wrote with Anandu Gopal. The whole idea came to us while we were jamming at my home. We slowly developed it from there, trying out new ideas, experimenting with different styles and seeing where the music would take us. We also added a violin solo section, beautifully performed by Avinash Muraleedhar. The track was mixed by Le Charles Blue and mastered by Rex Vijayan. I think this one stays with me because of how naturally it came together. It started as just a jam between two friends, and slowly turned into a complete track that we were both really happy with.
Where was this, and what do you remember most about that day?
That gig was really special for me because I got the opportunity to open for one of my favourite guitarists, Jakub Zytecki. I’ve been a fan of his playing for a long time, so being able to share the stage with him was something I’ll always remember. I think what I remember most is the feeling of playing my own music in front of an audience and knowing that one of the artists who inspired me was there. It was a really exciting and surreal experience for me.
Your music moves across instruments — from your piano EP "Sunrise" to your guitar work; how does switching between piano and guitar shape the music you write?
I don’t necessarily switch between the instruments when I write. Both piano and guitar are equally important to me when it comes to composing. In fact, I rely more on the piano for certain types of songs and projects because it helps me explore ideas in a different way. For me, it’s really about using whichever instrument feels right for the music I’m trying to create.
Who were you playing with here, and what did they bring out in your playing?
I’ve had the chance to collaborate with a lot of people, and those collaborations have played a big part in shaping me as a musician. On “Sora,” I worked with my good friend Anandu Gopal. In some of our other videos, we also did a version of “Cosmic Sans” by Cory Wong, with tabla played by my good friend Amar Ghokale and keys by my brother Joel Antony. I’m really lucky to have a peaceful circle of friends around me who I can make music with. These collaborations have taught me to make more mature musical decisions, take feedback, and keep learning and growing as a musician.
When someone hears your music for the very first time, what's the one feeling you hope stays with them?
I think the feeling I’d want them to have is something that stays with them. If they hear my music and it makes them feel something, even for a moment, or makes them want to listen to it again, that would mean a lot to me. I just want the music to connect with them in some way.
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