Interview with Sach Holden
Singer / Songwriter
How long have you been making music?
Long answer: I've been told the music flowed naturally the day the doc spanked my bottom in the labor room. The room fell silent once I kick-started the performance. Soon people were tilting their head back ever so slowly to make sure that, under any circumstances, the cohesive forces didn't allow the pool that was welling up in their eye to form an embarrassing tear. Needless to say you can only try to defy gravity and surface tension. That day I learnt that if you can move people to tears while being hung upside down by your feet, then you control the orientation of the frame just by being you.
Ultra short answer: As long as I can remember.
We heard that you taught yourself how to play the guitar. Could you tell us about the process?
When I was in the 5th grade my guitar teacher used to come home at 8am on Sunday to teach me. I used to crack jokes the whole time and the 1 hour lesson was only about 10-12 minutes of actual teaching. I had a few teachers after that but not much came out of it. During my 10th grade exams there was a 2nd hand battered classical guitar lying in the house. I used a chord book and learnt simple stuff.
You sing, you play and you write your own songs!
Yes, I only play my own stuff.
What most inspires your song writing?
The love songs ooze from my own relationships, the peace/change songs from injustice taking place in the world around us. My favorite set, The Trilogy of Pain (RED, You Can Run but if You Leave I'll Break Your Legs, Said a Lie Now You Die) is inspired by Korean and Japanese movies.
When and where was your first professional gig?
Monday, 1st November 2010. The 5th Fridge Concert Series in Dubai.
How do you battle pre-show nerves? Is there something you do before each show that helps you focus and relieve the nervous energy?
I have to get a good sound check done about 3-4 hours before the show. A good sound check is the key to minimizing pre-show nerves. Go to sleep till about 15mins before I get on stage. Spot jumping and do what I think is shadow boxing for 10 minutes to loosen up.
Which musicians have inspired you most?
Neil Diamond, Ray Charles and a few others. More than musicians, I have been really moved by a blog post titled ''There is no tomorrow...'' by Martin Prihoda, a renowned photographer. I had the good fortune to meet Martin during a recent Gulf Photo Plus workshop where he used me as a model when teaching his students. While his students learnt the importance of light, a bulb lit up in my head.
Any advice for budding musicians?
Let's not jump the curve yet. I am still a budding musician!
How would you describe your style of music in 3 words?
Introspective. Confessional. Fun.
