A sonic story: Abhishek Goswami talks about his musical journey with Dr. Himabrata Das

August 9: The tracks “Silcharer Gaan” and “Durga Varnana” released around last year’s Puja by Sonicspawn Studios created a buzz among music lovers near and far. I spoke with the founder Abhishek Goswami about his musical journey and his views on the post-Covid world.

H.D. How have you been dealing with the pandemic? Has it been tough for everyone involved in the music industry?

A.G. Well, just like everyone else, the pandemic has taken a toll on even the best of us, ever since March this year, everything has been a roller coaster ride so far. Especially for the music industry in the valley. I mean not only music, but entertainment as a whole. When it comes to inspiration or ideas, the pandemic is giving a scope and a lot of opportunities for creating content and get our creative juices going, but the biggest obstacle is getting together artists.

I mean, the pandemic bringing about lockdown and night curfews makes it difficult to sit and discuss and bring ideas together. Yes, I agree in a world where internet rules everything, communication is just as easy but I mean for people like us who get inspired with people around, its difficult to share ideas through a screen. Think of it as reading a real book over an e-book. Its about the feel. Finding locations for videos is now limited to one’s own house and we have been trying to make the best use of the situation. That’s what artists are best capable of doing right? Jugaad just to survive.

H.D. How did your love affair with music begin? And how has it blossomed?

A.G. Oh! This takes me way back, well its like I was interested in music since birth but it has been a part of me ever since I was born. My father, Abhijit Goswami, is always inspired and motivated by good music and any work he does has music involved in it. And growing up in that atmosphere sub-consciously made music a part of me as well. However, it us not until 2006, that I realised that I had so much to offer in the field as well and that’s when, somehow, I got into music, I started playing the piano at the age of 13 and that’s when it all began. Started learning the guitar at age 16 and now I am 28 as we speak and these last 15 years or so has driven me deeper into this form of art. Let me tell you one thing though, I was not given any formal lesson in music or what I do now by anyone, yes, my father has inspired me and I have taught myself whatever I know only through observation, listening to good music and being around good musicians.

And I would say that the role music plays in my life has been very very significant and for me, its the best means of communication I have with others, as well as myself.

H.D. What role do you believe technology will play in the post-Covid world?

A.G. Like I said before, technology is the reason why its all still happening, and despite the complications and steep learning curve. Its here to stay. I mean humans are lazy creatures, and we just need one reason to slack off. All these years, work was the only thing that kept us moving but the pandemic has actually taught us to work from our couches. Technology’s role is, has been, and will be always to make things easy for everyone. Both in a good and a bad way.

H.D. What are the career prospects after pursuing a course in sound engineering? Which are the prestigious institutions that offer such courses?

A.G. This is a question that is very subjective and will vary from person to person, mostly because the definition of a successful career is illusive and no one can ever answer the question without raising some more. However, I would like to add that, like every profession out there, anything will work if we are dedicated enough and if we are willing to push ourselves in that field.

I would like to share a story, I am an MBA post-graduate, I have topped from my college and I couldve taken up a job in any MNC or PSU, IF I wanted to. But I chose not to, simply because whenever I asked myself if I would’ve been able to do it. But the answer would always be ‘NO’. I have worked in a company in the state of TRIPURA but couldn’t last for more than 6 months. Now, my parents were supportive, very. I mean its the biggest reason why I am here, how many parents would positively react to “I want to quit my job to pursue something that I enjoy.”? They trust me and I don’t want to prove them wrong. And I believe no institution can teach us THIS. No matter what course one takes. It eventually ends up being decisive by the said individual.

However, if someone does want to go through a formal route to the field of music production, there are many many good institutions viz., Swarnabhoomi Academy, FLAME, SRFTI, Trinity, even Berklee College of Music if one really wants to try.

However no one can teach anyone anything, they can only guide and make learning easier, the learning part always depends on the student. So does the success that comes after that.

H.D. How do you look back at the journey that Sonicspawn Studios has traversed so far?

A.G. Oh boy… October 16th, 2017, I moved from Ghaniala and THE MINIMALIST STUDIOS and formed Sonicspawn Studios. I was so so so unsure of myself being able to look after an entity that deals with media production, all by myself. But I wasn’t alone. I can even state that I would’ve quit everything and got back to looking for jobs if it weren’t for, my parents and my wife, Manisha (who was my girlfriend back then), and a very good friend Sobhraj. They stood by me, motivated me, helped me each and every step and are still helping me. Ever since then, yes, the journey has been bumpy. But staying with good people throughout the journey makes the road feels less obstructive. Manisha being the backbone of my choices in life hence the backbone of the studio as well. I owe her a lot for this.

When I started out with Sonicspawn Studios, I was alone, with the studio operations and stuff, now I have a very good team, a very strong team working with me, Nayan, Sourav and Shibshakti, helping me and letting me help them. We first started with only audio produciton and music video production. Now we cover films, wedding documentation, ad shoots, dubbings, animations… I mean any form of media production. So, looking back, I say we have come a long way, and we have even a longer way to go.

H.D. Apart from being a musician, you are also an avid gamer. Online gaming is a much discussed issue that is one of the realities of our times. What is your take on gaming as a modern-day phenomenon?

A.G. HAHA! This brings back so many memories, growing up, I was short on friends, just a few handful, and socialising was difficult for me, so the only way I would learn to live with myself is by drowning myself in the world of video games. And I can say that nothing has changed in me, I still manage to live with myself thanks to games. And I do agree that gaming is so involved in the lives of everyone. We had computer games growing up, then console gaming, and now mobile gaming. One way or the other, its still there. And well, growing up, gaming was just a hobby thing for us, now kids can actually be rich and famous by gaming thanks to the internet and the portability gaming offers us.

And I would say, it is just like any other sport, it can be played by a player and viewed by a spectator, as long as it it stays a healthy obsession. And I don’t mind seeing gaming evolve as time goes by. Online gaming is a good matchmaker, literally.

H.D. And lastly, what are your words of advice for the aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make it big in the world of music and videography ?

A.G. I would say only one thing, ‘Don’t give up’. Being big or small doesn’t matter, what matters is to be content with oneself and one’s achievement. It should be easier to face the mirror after waking up. That’s all that matters. Strive and survive. Thank you.

Also Read: A dreamer of dreams & a performer par excellence, Debasish Chakraborty talks with Dr. Himabrata Das

**Dr. Himabrata Das, Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Tezpur Medical College & Hospital (TMCH). Apart from this, he is a vivid lover of sports, an eloquent commentator and a columnist.