Artist profile - Isham Rath: “You can fail at doing something you don’t like, so you might as well do something you love” |13 April 2017

Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of arts.

In our eleventh profile, readers will learn more about the talented singer, artist, Isham Rath.

Isham is a Seychellois singer-songwriter, artist and performer, who last year released an amazing single entitled ‘Ferm ou Lizye’.

Isham is also a nominee for Best New Artist and Best Single for the 7th Cable Tune Award ceremony set for April 21.

Q: When did your career as a singer, artist and performer really take off?

A: Art has always had a huge impact on my life, although I don’t remember how or when it all began. My father always reminds me of how I would stay up late nights, always with a pen and papers, and was only about two years old then.

My sister and I used to perform on the balcony, in the kitchen and dining table and draw all over the walls of the house.  Thinking back now, a lot of people would have thought that my parents (my dad especially) were just spoiling us too much. Our parents were not spoiling us, but were simply teaching us the freedom of expression; they taught us how to be a true artist.

Q: Who inspired you to be passionate about art?

A:  My big brother Collin Rath had a major influence on me when I was growing up.  He was in a group called Fade. Apart for loving them for their good music, I love the fact that they chose to be themselves and released an album with a new and completely different sound to Seychellois ears.

I remember my cousin Darren Rath used to give me art classes; we drew so much of those hero characters that until today I can draw Spider-Man from front to back by heart.

Q:  What’s the motto or advice you live by?

A:  “You can fail at doing something you don’t like, so you might as well do something you love.”

Q: Which is easier for you to tell a story, as an artist or a singer?  A: I have found that it is easy to express myself through the sounds of music than through colours, for at the end of the day I’m just speaking out my emotions.

Q:  Where do you draw inspiration from when you write songs and what’s your favourite part about the process?

A: Every single element in my life inspires me in song writing, be it consciously or unconsciously.

The people you’ve seen, the lies you’ve heard and told, hearts you’ve broken are just consequences of your own broken heart. Life’s never ending cycle is my source of inspiration.

Q: How do you unwind when you aren’t writing/producing/playing/painting etc?

A: Well if I am not on the run, I always try to do some deep breathing that cools me down and restores my energy.

Q: Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?

A: I remember growing up I used to listen a lot to Boyz II Men, Tracy Chapman, John Legend, Tupac and my brother’s group Fade. These artists are always at the top of my head when I think about my younger days.

Q: Studio work or performing live, which of these you prefer most and why?           

A: Performing live is more about going with the momentum, expressing oneself and appreciating the beauty of imperfection. Studio work is simply seeking for perfection. I enjoy both processes but if I have to choose, performing live would be my choice, simply because I enjoy the free flow of creativity.  

Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist? 

A: My bursting passion that I cannot sustain within myself. It bursts out through my lyrics, melodies, and paintings. The second you start living with passion you stand out, be it negatively or positively.

Compiled by U. J.