Shو? Makshoof Music Profile

In one of our two interviews with Makshoof Music artists this week, we talk to Sho?, one of Dubai's brightest up-and-coming acts. Currently preparing for a long Fall/Autumn season of shows, we took some time out to talk to the guys from the band.

Sho? have caused quite the stir among the music faithful in Dubai, making a big impact since they first hit the scene there in 2009. Since then, they've gone to Austria as part of the Diesel U Music, performed a number of impressive gigs and released their debut EP - 'I Don't Wanna Go!'

With all that behind them, and all that lays ahead, we took time out to talk to Sho? ahead of their busy gig schedule to catch up on what's next for them.

Check out Sho's Makshoof Music submission and please feel free to leave a comment.

Congratulations on winning the “Road to Sound City” battle of the bands comp; what positives have come out of that?

Well, winning it made us a little more serious about our music. It also told us that we have something good going considering others believed in our abilities, particularly the judges and the crowd that showed up that day. Prior to road to sound city, we had only played once in June 2009. We were demotivated by lack of gigs so winning helped us also secure more gigs which is a good thing.

Tell us, what was the Diesel U Music gig in Vienna like?

It was an amazing experience for us. We didn't know how they (the Austrians) would react to us. We just wanted to play well and have fun while representing Dubai the best we can. Ironically, the Vienna crowd didn't know what to expect of us just like how we didn't know what to expect from them. At the end, it worked out. We played well and had a good time. Some people from the show even joined our Facebook page and had nice things to say. We also made some friends there from the other performers and event organizers. We want to thank Diesel Middle East for giving us this opportunity.

Shو? is currently a 2 piece team – any thoughts of growing the band?

Definitely but for now we want to focus on finding the right members which are both capable musicians that are committed and share the common goals we have towards the band.

Your latest recording features some fantastic production and musicianship – who did you get in for that?

We'll keep the musicianship our little secret :). But the EP was recorded at Rizal’s home studio. This helped a lot as it gave us a comfortable setting to work only when we felt we could give 110%. It was mixed in another home studio in Finland by Mikko Majanen who is a close friend and former band mate of Rizal. He also sorted the mastering of the CD which we believe helped towards the overall sound of the EP.

You are recording a new EP later this year, how is the writing process going for that?

Well, initially this was the plan. We may have to re-think recording again this year end for a few reasons.  Firstly, we have gotten quite a number of gigs to play starting October right through to November. Secondly, we still are excited to push the “I Don't Wanna Go!” EP a little further. We are quite surprised to receive some interesting proposals on it which we may or may not consider. Nevertheless, we shouldn't dilute its potential just yet. We may revisit recording when we don't have many gigs to play. That way we can focus on tackling recording the songs which needs a good amount of time and is very different from preparing for live gigs. We have now 9 songs. We feel we will end 2010 with 10 to 11 songs which gives us choices for short selecting a good mix for a second EP. At some point, we will record a second EP as we are also excited to let others hear some of our newer songs.

As the Triple W review suggests, there are some big moments in your songs – what song are you most proud of to date? Why?

Rizal: we are proud of all the songs we have ‘til date because we aren’t the type of band to just write many songs… we take our time to work on them and only play them when we feel it’s right and how we like it. But to answer your question, the most significant I feel would be Crash and how we managed to mix a ska or raggae type verse to a harder pre chorus and chorus. It's also our first song with a guitar solo :) the riffs are not new. I've had them as an idea since 1999 but never really had a chance to finish it. I'm glad it's finally out because Zara's vocals added the missing link and took those riffs to a newer level.

Zara: I am proud of all our songs, if I may say. All of them have something to say lyrics wise and each one of them takes our music a little further. Our sound is “out of the square” and that’s what I like the most about making music with Rizal and Shو?. So overall the songs not only work individually, but even more when listened to together, I think. That’s why it’s difficult for me to choose a song amongst them all. Still, I keep a little bit of extra love for “Fast Song” which is a song that evolved out of the riffs that Rizal shared with me initially when trying to start the band.

If you could hand pick and create an all star 4 piece band, who would be in it – dead or alive musicians.

Rizal: Drummer would be Mike Portnoy formerly of Dream Theater. Bassist is Flea of RHCP and guitarist is Dime Bag Darryl (RIP), ex Pantera and Damage Plan.

Zara: I really don’t know!!.. I would take a good punk rock drummer like Travis Barker, I wouldn’t mind having Flea as well on the bass. Would still keep Rizal on the guitar and myself on vocals… hahaha!! :D

In less than 5 words, define Shو?

Funky Punk rock metal band :)

Check out Sho?'s Makshoof Music profile, listen and leave a comment.