Up Close ... with singer-songwriter Isham Rath |20 September 2016

‘You don’t have to do what everybody else is doing’

Isham Rath is a Seychellois singer-songwriter, artist and performer who is on the rise in the music industry with songs like ‘Ferm ou lizye’ which took the country by storm.

I had goose bumps when hearing him sing for the first time in a live audience last year and ever since I believe that he has the most refreshing sound and astonishing voice.

Born in October 1996 to mother Fleurange Dora and father Philip Rath, Isham started to sing in the Doves choir at an early age and things kept unravelling until he popped up in the talent show ‘Sesel i annan talan’.

Seychelles NATION recently caught up with this young rising star to get a feel of what makes him tick.

His passion and many talents

Many know Isham only for his music but another passion of his is art.

Being a witness and fan of his, I can truly say he is gifted in both.

However for this young artist there was no particular way which he went about making music and drawing his passion. He found himself involved in both at a very young age and never stopped pushing through to make improvements.

Finding inspiration closer to home

Growing up his elder brother Collin was his biggest inspiration. He fell in love with the originality of the songs which Collin produced in the group Fade compared to the music nowadays which he feels is pretty much the same tune.

“So for me when you come forward with something different in the music it’s easier for people to appreciate or notice it and I grew up with the principle that you don’t have to do what everybody else is doing,” he says.

However over time, Isham felt that his mother is now his biggest motivation as she has always been there to support him.

“We have been through a lot together especially music wise where many people tried to put obstacles in our way so that we wouldn’t move forward but she still pulled through for me,” he says.

Learning to play the guitar

“My first keys were taught to me by Jude Ally from Plaisance school,” he recalls as he only started to learn in S5.

He plans to learn how to play professionally and be able to play while singing his songs just like John Mayer.

“We have the tendency to always add voices in the whole song as we are afraid people will lose interest just because they are hearing the instrumental part and not the lyrics,” says Isham.

After attending a UB40 concert at Eden island, Isham realised that their songs had a lot instrumental parts and the audience really appreciated the rhythm and melodies, proving that not only the words of the song have emotions in it.

Working on his music

Isham writes his own music and when producing his tracks he always tries to create his demo at home on his computer with his guitar.

This demo provides a backbone before heading for the studio where the real fun begins.

“When I get to the studio we don’t have to start from scratch, I already have an idea of what I want the music to sound like and where I want to go with the sound,” he explains.

Promoting his music

This prodigy does not go around promoting his work instead his work promotes him.

Isham says after releasing ‘Ferm ou lizye’ earlier this year, the song is doing all the work and he gets gigs here and there.

“Apart from a few TV adverts, I assume the video clip of my song had the biggest impact,” he says.

Developing his art

When it comes to his music, Isham can make you feel whatever he feels – whether it’s sadness, remorse, happiness or about having a good time – where as for his art he can be creative and realistic but he wants to take it to the next level.

“I can share my emotions and even make you experience it with my music and this is the stage I want to reach with my art but I’m not quite there yet,” he says.

The Afro look

When he walks into a room, it’s hard not to notice this rising star with the massive afro he is rocking.

Growing up Isham always wanted to grow his hair out and he wanted it even more badly as he saw old photos of his parents with striking afros which he finds “super cool”.

One would never know that there was a time he got into trouble at school for having hair that was just too short.

Apart from the normal shampoo, Isham keeps his hair natural and to him he does not like to be predictable so he always tries to mix things up a bit.

Addicted to coconut water and ginger

Being unable to resist those coconut stands by the road side is one of Isham’s little tweak.

“Instead of drinking Red Bull or Lucozade coming home from an outing I opt for fresh coconut water as it gives me a boost and makes me feel refreshed,” he says.

As for the ginger, it keeps his voice in check. However he does not take any dairy products, alcohol and cigarettes as they affect his vocals.

Future plans

For now Isham is not planning to pursue further studies but instead he is working on an album and striving for personal growth and development.

However he has revealed that he wants to treat his fans with a show but with a twist compared to other performances we have seen lately.

“I want something more up-close and personal instead of standing on a stage and my fans are far away from me but they will see soon enough,” he says.

By Ralista Hortere