T.H.E Interview – Avie Sheck

L.A based Indian-American singer, songwriter and creative director Avie Sheck shares his contemporary short film ‘Black $ummer’ to accompany the release of his new EP of the same name.

We caught up with Avie Sheck to learn more about how “Black $ummer” came about, favourite gear and whether he prefers Biryani or Butter Chicken!

Aditya – Hey Avie, Happy new year! Glad to have you for the interview. How was 2021 for you?

Avie Sheck – Thank you for having me T.H.E Music Essentials! Loved reading your recent editorial ‘Why EDM Makes You Feel So Good’ by Akshay Bhanawat. I seriously feel like I burn more calories at a dance music festival than a normal workout… lol

Aditya – ‘Black $ummer’ looks and sounds SURREAL, the idea of having a film with a music video is brilliant. Sonically, what was the creative process?

Avie Sheck – Thanks so much for the kind words. The music is so dramatic and I wanted the visuals to represent the steeped dark rhythms. I was always imagining a ‘Mad Max’ sort of barren environment. Sonically, I wanted the album to have a contrast between dark beats and my high vocal range. Playing with such a spectrum and having guitars and synths fill in the middle range frequencies gives the EP a thick sound. I also wanted it to have a bit of aggression so the drums really pop. I was able to make such a deep sound thanks to my collaborator, and brotha Alchemyonthabeat.

Aditya – What was the ideation behind the direction of the film?

Avie Sheck – The crashed pilot represents us all in this pandemic (symbolized by the unforgiving desert) – suffering alone and trying to find a way out. I not only lost family members to Covid but also mental health as so many around the world did. His journey through agony, divine intervention, and finally an oasis represents all our journeys. Or at least the ones that stayed.

Aditya – How long did it take to ideate, shoot, and edit the film?

Avie Sheck – The film was shot in a couple of days. Ideation was a bit all over the place. I would say it was a year of gruelling through the pandemic and finally seeing my experiences allegorically; making creativity out of negativity.

Aditya – What’s your message behind this EP?

Avie Sheck – I would point to the hero of this film. He goes to war, leaves behind his love, abandons his life, crashes into the desert, and comes to the brink of death but his sheer will to survive (or divine intervention?) brings him the courage to find his way out. I want to help people process negative emotions through this EP – the same way Linkin Park did for me.

Aditya – How do you begin producing music?

Avie Sheck – In high school, I played for multiple bands. Back then we would hear about bands growing a fan base and getting gigs by putting up their music on Myspace. Out of necessity, I recorded my band and fell in love with producing. Eventually, in college, I started working on Hip Hop and Rnb. I also worked as a recording engineer for the Music department at Iowa State University so I had some great mentors and got to produce many professional bands and orchestras.

Aditya – What’s your studio setup? Any favourite gear to use?

Avie Sheck – Ah… great question. I love my Apollo Twin, Gibson SG, Rode K2 mic, waves bundle, Izotope bundle and the FabFilter mixing bundle. I’m always messing around with new synths but havent found an absolute favourite.

Aditya – Can you share some more info on your Indian roots?

Avie Sheck – Absolutely! I was born in Nainital – a beautiful hill station on the edge of the Himalayas. My mother is a classical Indian musician and I get my love of music from her. I go back often and being in the mountains is such a nice reset. The food, the people, and the sights are super inspiring. I would love to record an album there someday.

Aditya – Kanye’s ‘Donda’ or Drake’s ‘CLB’, and why?

Avie Sheck – Haha! Ye fasho! Life of Pablo tour changed my life!!! It’s always going to be Ye for me man.

Aditya – Lasty, Biryani or Butter Chicken?

Avie Sheck – Wow this is tough man… I‘m gona go with butter chicken because my dad makes some of the greatest BC in the world. Dad, you need to make a restaurant!!! Shit would sell out!