Today we’d like to introduce you to aVIE (aVIEonEarth).
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story is similar to thousands of other Houstonians that are first-generation immigrants. My parents worked extremely hard and made countless sacrifices to bring me and my sister to the United States when we were kids. Even under a new mortgage, car loans, and significant uncertainty – they put us through school. I think that circumstance brings me to the core of who I am. I’m relentlessly chasing my American dream like my parents chased theirs.
I’m aVIE – singer/songwriter and producer based here in Houston. As it relates to R&B, my music is of the future, steeped in the dark rhythms and sonics of today but entrenched in the nostalgic roots of my nomadic upbringing. But I’d like to think of my project as genre less as I am underway of producing several types of works. My handle, @aVIEonEarth, plays with the french word for life – vie – translating to “a life* on earth”.
I started music day 1 on this Earth since my mother is a Classical Indian singer who was bumping Michael Jackson and Phil Collins on the side. Vocally, I learned about ragas, runs, holding pitch, semi tones, and the ultimate passion she has. In middle school, I played drums and guitar for a rock and roll band. When we came the United States I took on music production and being the frontman for a few different bands. It was a time when I was starting to realize my own voice in music. Which leads me to today – @aVIEonEarth – is the thesis of my music journey thus far.
I have put out 1 EP thus far called “Chutney Chasers” – 2018. Chutney in Indian culture is the sauce that gives food its flavor.
I am in the works of putting out my next EP, “The Escapade” in the second week of December 2019.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Its been an uncertain road for sure.
Looking back to Mumbai – when my family lived in a one room apartment and all we had was each other – it’s really amazing to see where we all are today. Pushing through uncertainty creates the fuel of life and the “fire in the belly” as my dad says it.
My first EP, Chutney Chasers, was uncertain to see the light of day. My school computer crashed and along with it all the songs. It took a few years of recovering bits and pieces from emails, thumb drives and rerecording to pull it together. I remember when it was finally done and I was printing out CDs – there was a malfunction in the CD printer and all copies had gotten distorted. Unfortunately, I had sent some of those to blogs and labels which didn’t work out well. But I resent the work and got some amazing reviews and interviews from some of my favorite blogs. There have been other setbacks like promoters not giving me a chance, producers/models not showing up during the recording/filming day but that is just part of the game. Your destiny will always test you.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m known for my eccentric music videos, enthralling live shows, depth in songwriting, haunting vocal sound, and diverse instrumentation. My sound production is very intricate which sets my music apart. All my videos thus far have been produced with my good friends and family so there is a perfect imperfection to the visuals.
I am most proud of the second body of work that I will be releasing on the 2nd week of December, “The Escapade”. Its got some amazing collaboration with other Houston artists and filmmakers. I’m truly proud to share it.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My first show. We played “Smoke on the Water” during the 5th-grade talent show – I was on the drums. The bright lights, so many faces in the crowd, my best friends on stage, my family cheering me on, the rush of blood to the head as I heard my friend play the first few chords… I was hooked!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.avieonearth.com/
- Email: avieonearth@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avieonearth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aVIEonearth/
- Twitter: https://soundcloud.com/avieonearth
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5EEIgAew0Sphga5pT5khYw
https://open.spotify.com/album/4EvrPqjR0VfOgfYEXhL0vK?si=D366WcTkSwmN_OP5AW-0XQ
Image Credit:
-Headshots: Haley Haught (@hellomakemyday) and Alfredo Jimenez (@911_aj); Credit to Frederik Trovatten’s photo “In between” for ‘The Escapade’ EP Album Cover; Concert photos: GlitchFest (@glitchfest_)
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