Prashant Aswani interview

Prashant Aswani is a rock/fusion/jazz/Indian-influenced instrumental guitarist, and more recently, a teacher at GIT in Hollywood. He has appeared on albums by artists such as Alessandro Benvenuti, William Stravato, and Greg Howe. His second solo CD, entitled “Duality”, was released in 2000, and six years later it still remains on Guitar 9 Records top ten monthly bestseller lists. In addition to his solo career, Prashant has toured with a variety of recording artists - he completed a sold out tour of Japan with R&B songstress Christina Milian, and performed at the Billboard Music Awards with pop idol Justin Timberlake. He's also traveled the world conducting guitar clinics on behalf of his endorsers, namely ESP Guitars. Now he's here at instrumentalcase.com to answer some of my questions…

An Interview with Prashant Aswani

IC: You’re re-releasing your 1998 debut solo album this month (Jan. ’07), now entitled, “Revelation: Fully Loaded”. What additions did you make to this new edition?

Prashant: There are three new tracks I produced. They feature legendary drummer Joey Heredia and bassist Alex Evens.

IC: What was it like when you recorded the album originally, and how has your music matured since?

Prashant: I originally recorded it in 1998, and it was my first professional experience and I definitely learned a lot about the recording process. So I wasn't as free with some decisions like using live drums. Rhythm is the most important thing, and being able to work with Joey Heredia really made my songs come alive. I am constantly learning and maturing with my music and I hope this comes through in the new tracks.

IC: Who or what inspired you to make instrumental guitar music, and what are your favorite guitar albums?

Prashant: John McLaughlin was the initial inspiration for me creating guitar oriented music. My Father had a Shakti audio tape in a box and I found it and couldn't stop listening to it. I used to play tabla so I felt right at home with that album. Of course one of my biggest musical influences is Zakir Hussein. Any Shakti album would be at the top of my instrumental list. Adding to that I would say Jason Becker’s "Perpetual Burn", any Pat Metheny album, Vinnie Moore’s " Time Odessy", and Greg Howe’s "Uncertain Terms". That is just a few. There are too many to mention.

IC: How did you first meet Greg Howe, and what led to Greg producing your first two albums (and you eventually guesting on two of his solo albums)?

Prashant: I was fortunate enough to meet with Mike Varney who introduced me to Greg. I had taken a couple lessons with Greg while I was attending Berklee College of Music, and during the third lesson I simply asked Greg if he would produce an album for me, and he said yes. That is when I started my recording career.

IC: You began teaching at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood late last year. How has the experience been, and how did it come about?

Prashant: Musicians Institute is great! I really enjoy teaching there, and the students enthusiasm makes it all worth it. The offer came about in an interesting way. I was originally supposed to do a clinic there and the director, Beth Marlis, threw out the idea of me teaching. At that time I was open in my schedule and happily accepted.

IC: Do you have any words of advice for younger players such as myself, hoping to attend there someday?

Prashant: It isn't how many years you have been playing, it’s how many hours. Schooling is a great avenue for one to learn about music. I definitely encourage having some type of education.

IC: Do you have any instructional or performance videos planned for the near future?

Prashant: Yes, I have several concepts for a series of instructional videos. I don't have a specific release date in mind for these videos but I can assure you that they will come to fruition sooner than later.

IC: Prior to 2000 you lived in Italy for a couple of years. How was your brand of instrumental guitar music received over there, and how does that compare with the audience in the states?

Prashant: The Italian fans have been supportive from the very beginning. I am very thankful for the warmth I received when I lived there. The US hasn't been much different. I think fans of instrumental guitar music are very loyal. Fan support is a big reason for my commitment to this type of music. I love playing the guitar and will always put out instrumental albums.

IC: You have some endorsers, including ESP Guitars. Please tell us a little bit about your guitars, gear, and the tone you strive for.

Prashant: I want to start off by saying ESP makes the best instruments I have ever played. The attention to detail and customization is unlike any other. My custom guitars are based on an ESP M-Series model. I use an Original Floyd Rose Tremelo, 24 fret Maple Fretboard, 2 Humbuckers, all with the ESP Vintage headstock. The body is made of alder wood with a quilted maple top. I also have models without the maple top. I don't like a ton of pre-amp gain so I turn my master volume up as high as possible to get a smooth power amp sustain. Then I add my favorite overdrive pedal, which is an Ibanez TS-808.

IC: What is your creative process like? How do ideas for new songs come to you?

Prashant: This is a hard one to nail down. I can get ideas and inspiration from non-music related situations. At the same time, I can hear a great song and be inspired to write a melody or rhythm. There is really no specific method I use. The song always comes from within and then gets translated thru my guitar. I feel that having my chops up while writing helps facilitate my ideas.

IC: How important a factor is improvisation in your music?

Prashant: Improvisation is a key element to my solos and my melody variations. Once the arrangement is to my liking I improvise the insides.

IC: Your myspace says that you are a featured artist on Dave Martone’s new album, “When the Aliens Come”. What’s your involvement on the album?

Prashant: I did a couple of solos on the track "Fumble Fingers". It was a lot of fun!

IC: How did you first meet Dave?

Prashant: Dave and I met at Berklee College of Music and have been friend ever since. His new album is great and we have a surprise coming for all of you later this year!

IC: Which guitarists would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Prashant: Scott Henderson and Pat Metheny. I am influenced by them both and have the utmost respect for their incredible musicianship!

IC: How is progress on your third solo album, “Time”, coming along?

Prashant: It will be released in fall of 2007. The demos are almost complete. I am not sure that I will stay with the current title "Time".

IC: Last but not least, what’s the one thing you want people to know about you?

Prashant: I love music, and I am very appreciative to all of my students and fans for their support! I want people to know me through my music, as it speaks louder than words!

IC: Thanks for the interview, Prashant! I’d also like to thank Laurie Monk from truthinshredding.blogspot.com for arranging this interview.

Essential Prashant Aswani links:

www.prashantaswani.com

www.myspace.com/prashantaswani

... and don't forget to buy "Duality" on iTunes, and "Revelation: Fully Loaded"!

-- Dave B.

www.InstruMentalCase.com

Putting the "mental" in instrumental guitar!