DH: Greetings from Unholy Maunder! So how has your journey through drumville been so far?
NH: Hello D! To be honest, I would call myself lucky. I've always had positive feedbacks and results wherever I have performed till date. That's all a musician would ever want and I hope it continues in the same way!
DH: Give us some idea on how it all started for you. Where did you draw your inspiration from?
NH: I was really into Linkin Park back in 2005. I always spent the entire evening playing beats on Tupperware products with pens. As soon as Greenday released ‘American Idiot’, I could not resist Tre' Cool's drumming and that was how I started being a craze for drums!
DH: ‘The LP phase’ as I like to term it! We know that you play for a number of bands and each of them play totally different genres of music. How do you manage between them? How do you strike the balance?
NH: I love experimenting a lot. And the other reason would be that there are not many drummers available at the moment! So I guess there's a lack of drummers that can play decent beats for the band. On another note, I'll always have a metal influence on my drumming for whoever I may play for, and I always end up making a band sound more ‘groovy’ and ‘heavy’ I guess. That's one wicked combination I love flowing through with.
DH: Ok, this is a rather difficult one- choose between your bands.
NH: I don't have a satisfactory djent band yet. I enjoy a lot with DOTH (Death On The Horizon), but when it comes to playing live, Dark Horizon's the band! DOTH has a darker side to it.
DH: Interesting! Give us an insight into your personal area. Do you follow any particular practice regime?
NH: This might sound crazy. As I have stopped going to the gym, I have taken up drumming as my physical training and due to hours of practice, I'm getting a taste of both worlds! So, the more the work out, more the skills achieved. This is rare I believe.
DH: RAREST OF THE RARE! What is your take on drumming as an art?
NH: I believe there's more to beats than just Double Bass drumming. Also, showing off does not always result in pleasing audiences. You need to set the groove and perform solos at the right time!
DH: What do you generally focus on while practicing? Your areas of concentration?
NH: The techniques are common. I just feel the stuff I play with weird facial expressions and I add lot of ghost notes. I emphasis on weird grooves and overall technicality.
DH: Run us through your kit.
NH: Initially a 5 piece Chancellor Kit with Evans Skins on toms and Remo Skin on the snare. Right now I use the Pearl Joey Jordison Signature snare drum, Pearl Demon Drive Drum Pedals, Paiste PST Crash, Paiste PST Hi Hats, Paiste Crash Ride, Paiste PST Ride Cymbals, Custom made Paiste Stack Cymbal and 2 extremely High Pitched Toms.
DH: In your opinion, to what extent does your equipment affect your playing?
NH: I think the equipment does not make much of a difference but it’s the positioning and tweaking the screws to optimize my comfort zone. Personally, I feel a stack cymbal is absolutely mandatory for groovy djent. I opt for two toms to create space for easy performance. My set is simple, productive, and less hectic and thus, reduced complexity.
DH: That is quite an arsenal! Coming back to music, what is your take on 'the scene' right now?
NH: My answer to this will be plain and simple - Commerciality.
DH: Any specific plans for the future?
NH: Loads of them. After my graduation, I'll opt for a diploma at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music and if I manage to get a decent response, I'll definitely give the Berklee School of Music a try!
DH: We wish you all the best on your overtures. What is on your music player now?
NH: Structures – Departure.
DH: Your favorite bands?
NH: Periphery, Adam Lambert and band, Slipknot.
DH: Quite a metal guy as we see. What has been your most memorable moment on stage?
NH: 21st July, 2009. It was my first attempt on jazz drumming and I had played with Ishan and Biswajit of Silver Tears at Blues. We performed after an unsuccessful rehearsal of a mere 30 minutes but the result blew my mind off. I was very happy with myself, rather than pleasing the crowd. I hadn't performed for a while and after I finally got the chance to spray magic through drums again, I gave it my 100.88% that night. My adrenaline level allowed me to do things that I never attempted on stage before and trust me, which was not a post-effect of any sort of Alcohol! I also remember that night for another reason- MY CHINA CYMBAL WAS STOLEN!
DH: So a night of mixed emotions. Now this is where we dig into you. Define 'Nishant Hagjer'.
NH: Well, get ready to be entertained! If you have the flexibility of rock, get ready to move along with the groove like an idiot. If you need a drummer and want to create new things and sounds, he'll be your guy! Your songs will turn out to be a little technical, but that's the aspect of it: Technical, Groovy and Addictive!
DH: How does the skin basher on stage differ from the soft-spoken 16 year old off it?
NH: I'm just a sane fun loving guy when I'm not active on music. But, have you heard of those guys that sparkle with ego? Those who want things to go their way? The ones that make sure they're totally satisfied after the job is done? That's me up on stage (Devil Face: wishing he was so!)
DH: Hope you have had a hard time with us. Your views on UNHOLY MAUNDER?
NH: You stressed me out! On a serious note, I never expected such a site to even exist. It is the best way to socialize and earn fame for psychedelic underground musicians that deserve so! The site is just the opposite of the groups on facebook: The ones filled with people that can manage to play 3 correct chords but behave like Dave Mustaine. We the lads would be more than pleased if this site stays active for a while!
DH: Thank you Nishant! It was just amazing to corner you for a chat!! We would like to sign off on a personal note. What is your philosophy for life?
NH: Once you are up on the top, spend life the way you want to. For us youngsters, as there will be ups and downs in life, we have to play it smooth. Start being a workaholic/musicaholic now itself and think twice before you get influenced in new social atmospheres, as opinions are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink.
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean.