Interview with
Sri Mahadev
of Between
E Minors
Q: What are your largest musical influences?
Sri: I’ve been playing music since about 1994-so around 30 years now. I started with cover versions, mainly learning the Beatles, which I think teaches you rhythm and chord structure for most pop music. Over time, I found myself drawn to chimey, jangly, folky music with wordy lyrics. Artists like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Billy Bragg, and even some punk bands have shaped me. Anything with a 12-string guitar and poetic lyrics really resonates with me.
Q: When did you start playing music and why?
Sri: Music has been a passion of mine for decades, even though it’s not my day job-I’m a doctor. I was always fascinated by sound, melody, and lyrics, and I enjoyed playing covers before moving into writing my own songs.
Q: What attracted you to writing your own songs?
Sri: Over time, I realized I wanted to say something in my own voice. Writing my own songs gives me the freedom to express emotions, ideas, and reflections that can’t always be conveyed through covers.
Q: You write a lot of songs, often one a day. Where do you find the inspiration to be so prolific?
Sri: I usually start with a riff. I have instruments lying around, and I’ll pick one up, play, and see what comes. Often, words come naturally once a riff hits me. I work best when ideas are fresh, so I try to capture them quickly rather than overthinking. The result might not always be perfect, but it keeps the energy and momentum.
Q: What part does music play in your life?
Sri: Music is my passion and a form of personal expression. It’s a space where I can explore, reflect, and process life’s experiences, separate from my professional life.
Q: What motivated you to release this album now?
Sri: I felt the album was ready-it documents a very challenging year of my life. I wanted it to exist in the world, not necessarily for commercial reasons, but as a record of my experiences. The process of making it has helped me move forward and find some happiness after a period of self-doubt and reflection.
About the album Seasons from
a Balcony
Q: The album title is intriguing.
Why did you choose it?
Sri: The title comes from a year of contemplation I spent on my balcony, looking at the sky and buildings, reflecting on life. The album chronicles that period, capturing the flow of thoughts, emotions, and experiences, much like observing the changing seasons.
Q: The songs cover topics from lost love to geopolitics. How did you keep such a varied album cohesive?
Sri: While the subjects vary, the overarching themes are emotions, the passage of time, and personal reflection-much like seasons. There’s a symbolic resonance between personal journeys, world events, and the cycles of life.
Q: What was the inspiration behind releasing the album?
Sri: Beyond documenting a difficult year, I wanted to share the songs’ strength and freshness. I didn’t release it expecting fame or revenue-making it available felt like an important personal milestone.
Q: For a first-time listener, which songs best express you as an artist?
Sri: I love Autumn-it’s wordy, lyrical, and captures imagery beautifully. Some of the more experimental tracks, like Sky and Stars at Night, showcase simplicity and depth, using minimal instruments like a reverb-y Fender Stratocaster and layered percussion.
Q: Your lyrics are rich and layered. Do you start with words or music?
Sri: Usually, a riff comes first. Once it sparks something, lyrics emerge naturally. I try to work quickly while the inspiration is fresh, which keeps the songs energetic and authentic.
Q: Any thoughts on the sound and instruments?
Sri: I love 12-string guitars, both acoustic and electric, for their chimey, jangly tone. I recently started using a mandolin, which brings a medieval quality to some songs. Layering instruments, especially percussion, is crucial for depth, even in minimalistic tracks.
Join the
Between
E minors community
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook for exclusive behind the scenes videos, lyric breakdowns and reflections on music and brand new songs each week.