Junior's Cave Music Interview with Noshir Mody Late Winter (January 2012) Edition, Music Now

Our publication interviewed guitarist Noshir Mody almost two years ago. Many things have changed since that first encounter with our online magazine for the talented guitarist but some things remain the same. What remains the same is Mody’s masterful command of the guitar with which he continues to make beautiful and intoxicating sounds.

Without a single word, the command that Mody has with his guitar is the strongest point to the guitarist’s music. In our online conversation with Mody, the artist reveals more about his music and further fascinating facts about him and his upbringing.

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you enjoy the most about being an indie performer?

Noshir: As an indie artist, I have always had the ability to make music the way I heard it, but with today’s technology I am also able to bring this music to a global audience. I love that my music is now played on Jango.com, a free internet radio website, where listeners world-wide can hear my music and decide if they would like to support me.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have built up over the years about you in the process?

Noshir: I understand that in order to scale at any level, one has to be able to collaborate with multiple entities to achieve a common goal. But for me it’s not the major label deal that is attractive but rather the ability to work with experienced, class-act individuals who can positively impact me and my music. So a major label deal in itself holds no appeal for me.

Isaac: I remembered Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it" Factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it" factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Noshir: I truly believe it is the music. The music is easy to listen to but the subtle complexities of the phrasing, rhythmic structures and improvisational elements keep the music fresh for the listener and full of surprises.

Isaac: Why should music fans listen to your music? Describe what they are going to get when they listen to your music?

Noshir: This music creates a mood for the listener that is thought provoking and fosters conversations. The music is presented as instrumental narratives performed with a blend of virtuosity and creativity. My latest release, Union Of Hearts - a trio CD, with Daniel Foose on bass and Kim Garey on drums is a great album to listen to whether you are hanging out with friends over dinner or taking a long drive by yourself as it creates an inspiring and uplifting atmosphere.

Isaac: Briefly describe your humble beginnings that led you to where you are at musically now.

Noshir: I'm a self-taught musician and to this day I cannot read a note to save my life. I've developed my musical skill by spending time with advanced musicians in improvisational settings and on my own leveraging gadgets and gizmos. I have used loop stations like the Boss RC-20 to create arrangements, software programs like Cakewalk to preview these arrangements and websites such as Gootar.com to reverse look up guitar chord names so that I can create minimal chord charts for the ensembles. 

But all this aside, the single biggest influence on my development as a musician has been life itself. I am deeply interested in human nature and consider myself incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by amazing, caring and compassionate people. They have always been my inspiration and it is through our interactions that I am able to create this music.

Isaac: You have some strong iconic influences. Of these influences, which artist/band do you relate to the most and why?

Noshir: I love the way Ulf Wakenius approaches the guitar. His album 'Forever you' is easily one of my favorites. I feel he delivers the melodies in a pure, heartfelt manner which resonates with me.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Noshir: I think it’s getting there. Indie artists are now getting heard on a larger scale which is a big step in commanding respect within the industry. Commercial formats have historically put forward artists that they believe will fit within a box and cater to the already cultivated audience demographics. In contrast, the independent music scene allows for artists and listeners to challenge these confinements and identify what works for them across a number of genres and formats.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Noshir: Commoditize the business side of things, not the art form. I believe varied artists should be able to engage a business model that works – what we have now is a business model that dictates what the artists should be like.

Isaac: Do you think in the near future that DIY artists/bands will be the norm and big record companies will be very limited?

Noshir: Yes. I believe very soon every artist will be able to produce top quality recordings. However to perform at that commercial level of multimedia frenzy which includes cross selling across movies, TV, commercials and multiple book deals - artists will always need an infrastructure that is typically only made available to them by the big record companies.

Isaac: What type of feedback have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Noshir: It's been very positive! I typically post the feedback and reviews on my website www.NoshirMody.com. Check it out.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Noshir: Yes. I experienced a musical dry spell where I did not record or perform publicly for a number of years. While I continued to be successful in other areas of my life, I felt quite lost. The music I make sustains me to function on every other level, so it is my deepest desire that it does not leave me.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Noshir: It’s never been easy for me but over the years I believe I’m handling it a lot better. I try to identify the intent of the person providing the feedback. If it feels like it is coming from a reasonable place, I will typically focus my energies in finding the value in their comments.

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuant of a music career?

Noshir: I feel very blessed in that everyone has been incredibly supportive.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Noshir: www.NoshirMody.com

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words…..

Noshir: At this point in my life I have spent near equal parts of my years in the Eastern and Western hemispheres of this world. It resonates within me that the principles of rhythm and harmony are an intuitive inheritance that we all possess. Given our varied diversity I believe this is our universal heritage. I am deeply grateful to belong to a community that is involved in developing its artistic endeavors to fruition.

Noshir’s original interview with our publication:

http://www.juniorscave.com/Noshir-Mody.html