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‘Music needs to have a feeling’: Arnon Ray Pereira on making music and more

24 May 2021

Arnon Ray Pereira is the front man of the local band “The Drift” and has also made a name for himself as a solo musician. After venturing into the music industry, he gradually figured out that that’s the only thing he believes he is good at. Brunch caught up with him for a chat on his musical career. Here’s what he had to say:    [caption id="attachment_138264" align="alignright" width="344"] Arnon Ray Pereira[/caption] What was the biggest challenge you faced in your career? The biggest challenge I faced in my career was the transition from being a cover musician to a songwriter. The other challenge was being broke and not able to sustain this path, but with the time and dedication I put in, God blessed me with beautiful people who are still around me supporting me through this journey.   Which song of yours is closest to your heart and why?  “Easy on me” is the closest to my heart; let me quote you a few lyrics from it:    As the days went by I’m waiting I’m here sleeping by the river No one could and would understand me I’ve been drowning out my liver   Mama It’s not easy as they say I’m still hungry Hungry for yesterday Maybe He’ll be here tomorrow Or maybe today, While I’m resting on these stones I hope I don’t slip away   go, Easy on me go, Easy go, Easy on me go, Easy.    There was this black patch in my life which I still think about to this day, and getting through this phase wasn’t easy, but in between all my madness, I still believed and had faith whenever I got into trouble, and having faith helped me. It helped me come out of all my addictions and gave me a brand new start, but that doesn’t mean I am totally free; once in a while I’m sent to relive those memories only to always remind myself that there was always light at the end of the tunnel, and the light was my faith.   What is the procedure behind your song making?  Usually, when it comes to making music, there is no correct way. I would sometimes make a melody and put lyrics on it, or I might even do it the other way around.   How important do you think it is to write original music? I don’t know how important it is to write original music but I could tell you why it is important to me. I was afraid of being comfortable when it came to where I was in terms of music, singing, and playing cover songs. Sure, it was fun, but then I figured out I was just too comfortable and was in a very safe zone. There is nothing I would have been left with if I continued down this path. I’m here for a legacy and I’m here to put my name on the map with my music; I started with that thought and writing music came naturally but every natural thing has something practical behind it and that’s practice – writing and creating music everyday. It doesn’t even have to be on a programme, it could be just in your head, on a voice note, or even on your mobile notes. Writing music is very important to me; it’s the only way I could express how I feel.   What is the message you want to send out with your music? Music doesn’t need to have a message; it needs to have a feeling. It needs to have an emotion and it needs to be authentic. The message that could be taken from it is in the mind of the person listening to the song.   What is your opinion on the music industry in Sri Lanka?  People should spend more time listening to music, like in the old days when we were running shots on cassettes and discs. Once the people have time for themselves away from a tough day’s work and once they realise music and art is a need to our existence as humans, that’s when you would see or even be able to talk about a music scene in Sri Lanka. Sure, there are great bands from the ‘70s and ‘80s, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only playlist you should have in your mind for the next 30-plus years. There is so much music out there of every genre and it is catered to everyone. Take YouTube for an example – it is a “free” platform, the music you could discover over there is such an amazing thing, but most people over here are not ready for it yet. Once they start doing that, they will start appreciating different forms of music; just like in most other Asian countries with the English language not being their native language.   In terms of Covid, how do you think this third wave will affect the music industry? Do you have any suggestions or plans on how to keep it alive?  Well, I am the frontman of “The Drift” and just before the third wave hit we had a few good shows lined up which got cancelled because of the situation. But I guess this is how it is; c'est la vie!  I’d like to thank my good friend Micheal from this beautiful venue down in the south called The Doctor’s House for always believing in the music scene the bands had to offer and for kick-starting the full band gigs down on the coast just before the third wave hit. We've had big ups and things will pick up, just in the right course.   What is 2021 looking like for you? Any future plans?  I’ve currently sectioned out music for different EPs. Just waiting for the right time to start recording again and am looking forward to pushing it out. I’m currently working on a few collaborations with a few friends from the music scene over here. In the meantime, I’m prepping myself for a few live shows once this pandemic gets out of the way. But to keep writing and creating more music is the plan.    Is there anything else you would like to add? If you'd like to listen to my music please log onto YouTube and look for Arnon Ray Pereira Music, or Arnon Ray Pereira on Spotify or Apple Music. Much love and be safe during these turbulent times.

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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


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