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1 ) We’re excited to be speaking today with acclaimed pop-country band NuAsia; greetings and salutations, gang! Before we dive down the proverbial Q&A rabbit hole, could each of you say ‘hi’ and introduce yourselves to our ever-inquisitive readers and let us know what everyone’s instrument is?
• Saint Cloud: Lead Vocals
• Isamu McGregor: Keyboards
• Mark Flores: Lead Guitar
• Dhammika (DJ) Jayasinghe: Bass Guitar
• Janesh Ruwanpathirana: Percussion
• Roshan Seresinhe: Drums
2) Major congratulations on the premiere of your debut single, “Quiet Violence!” Roshan, what’s the origin story behind this remarkable gem of a tune?
Roshan: The song represents current challenges that relationships face with smart phone addiction and social media interactions etc. where one partner in most instances falls victim to being ignored and then the relationship goes downhill. This song represents that initial challenge. As the album tells the story the rest of the songs will dive deeper into these challenges and sets a path to mending.
3) Saint Cloud, in your humble opinion what differentiates “Quiet Violence” from the other pop-country tunes in the 2023 music landscape?
Saint Cloud: Our arrangement and lyrics are unique. The arrangement is country-pop and current however we have mixed in traditional country instruments such as lap and pedal steel in way that it respects the country music genre without dating the track. The lyrics are also modern, however tells a story in a manner country songs do. The production also used the range I possess to deliver the song in a very dramatic way.
4) Isamu, who did the producing honors on “Quiet Violence” and what did the working relationship between band and producer look like in the studio?
Isamu: Production honors goes to the production team led by Roshan. The relationship was great, even though Roshan had the songs well planned, he wanted the musicians to bring their creative energies into the recordings. This made it fun and made all of us feel a big part of the songs.
5) Mark, for anyone not familiar with NuAsia and their style of music, what can a first time listener expect to hear when sliding “Quiet Violence” onto their record player?
Mark: There has been many references to our songs from Taylor Swift, Zach Brown Band to Billie Eilish. However, to us we believe we bring a unique take on modern country-pop.
6) Dhammika, what does the touring dance card look like for NuAsia in the coming weeks and months?
Dhammika: We are hoping that the country industry will recognize that a Asian-American band can do justice in the mainstream country arena and give us an opportunity to perform at major events. We truly believe this will be uplifting to music fans and to the huge Asian community that love country music.
7) Roshan, how did NuAsia come together to form the tight band which we hear to amazing effect on “Quiet Violence?” Is there a VH1-Behind the Music origin story you could share with our readers?
Roshan: Although many Asian cover bands perform country music it wasn’t easy to find Asian musicians that loved country music enough to produce an album. Dhammika, Janesh and I have been performing together for decades so as the 3 of us love country, we are the only remaining members from our original cover band. Then I met Saint Cloud who also loved country and the first day I heard her voice, I knew she was the one. Saint Cloud then introduced me to Isamu who was Colbie Caillat’s tour bandleader/keyboard player and he is just amazing. Finally, I met Mark through the Filipino circles (as my wife is Filipino) and just like me he had been looking for Asian musicians to form a pop-country band. He is talent is immense and the go-to Asian lead guitarist in the LA area. It was destiny as he also lives a few miles from me. Therefore, how the band came together after breaking away from the previous cover band to the end result is truly great good karma.
8) Janesh, word ‘round industry campfire has it that NuAsia has an LP set to drop later this year! Can you give fans a hint or three as to what they might expect from the album?
Janesh: An incredible album of extremely well produced music that will satisfy most everyone who enjoys country and pop music, that depicts the current challenges relationships face and tunes which are unique, bringing a variety of feelings, moods, tempo and make it fun for the listener.
9) A question for all of you: Who inspires you musically?
Roshan: As the band is very diverse, it’s many genres and artists, expanding from country, pop, jazz and rock. The list will be too long. LOL!
10) Saint Cloud, at the end of the day what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving “Quiet Violence” many-a spin on their respective turn-tables?
Saint Cloud: A tune that everyone can enjoy and can relate to and to build the respect that Asian-American musicians DO belong in mainstream country.
11) Roshan, how does NuAsia’s Asian roots inform the sound of the music which you all create?
Roshan: When you study the roots of country music you can clearly see the connection to Asian heritage and music. Starting with some of the instrumentation, such as lap and pedal steel, which originated from the Hawaiian guitar which in fact originated from the Asian Pacific Islander, to the lyrics always telling stories which is prominent in both country and Asian tunes and smooth melodic instrumentation which also a commonality. So, when you ask me about our Asian roots influencing the country music we create, it comes naturally.
Listen – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nuasia/quiet-violence
