My Favorite Music: Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy

Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy. Artwork by Visual Amnesia/Reuben Bhattacharya

Says Krishnamoorthy about his picks, “Most of the songs are mixtures from the past, many forms eventually became very special for me, like nu-metal. I also love these songs because they were created by certain musicians who became an inspiration to choose music.”

“Kiss From A Rose” Seal, 1994

This dropped between very interesting things in my life ”“ it was in the Batman Forever soundtrack, and original soundtracks became a huge part of my life. It was all about creating music attached to the film and it helped me as a filmmaker.

“Among the Dead” Exhumation, 2005

For me this song evokes so many emotions suddenly. Prashant [Shah, guitarist for Exhumation and Scribe] is on this album and this is his song where he could just spontaneously combust. The trademark riff is what I hear every time in my head when I’m pissed off. It’s the DNA of heavy music.

“Is There A Light? & Paper Toys” Pentagram, 2002 & 2011

Don’t count these as two separate tracks, but it’s still about my love for the same band. These are the best songs Pentagram has written. I wanted to cover “Is There A Light?” but I could never replicate the complete sound. “Paper Toys” is the nicest song off Bloodywood for me. I really like the groove. It’s one of Vishal’s finest moments, and he’s got many of those.

“I’m An Indian” Noble Savages, 1997

This one is from the generation when MTV used to come on Doordarshan. All these bands used to come on at this MTV hour on the channel and it used to get me so excited. And it didn’t get as Indian as it did when this song came on. It actually made me feel patriotic. I later discovered they were from Germany, but regardless of that, it [the song] had got me jumping.

“The Old Whore” Dischordian, 2011

I really do cherish all the time I spent with Split. I used to hang out at [Split vocalist] Garreth’s house and he just played and sang these kinda songs. Those were my most cherished moments with him and the rest of the band. They’re also one of my favorite bands. When I heard Garreth singing this when Dischordian launched their album, I was kind of smiling to myself. I actually tried very hard to convince him [Garreth] to make it a Split song.

“Prison Sex” Tool, 1993

There used to be a time when you switch on TV and watch music videos playing all the time ”“ no ads and no VJs. I heard the last few bars to “Prison Sex” on TV when I was in school and I’d never heard anything like that. It was gloomy, dark and I could hear the turmoil. When I saw the ending of the video, the only word that registered was Tool. Later on, I bought their album Undertow and from then on, Tool became one of the best bands for me.

“Pollution” Limp Bizkit, 1997

This marked a time when I was becoming open about my musical choices. I was of that age when I thought the bands I heard were the bands everyone else heard. People used to be so judgmental of people’s choice in music. I used to be surrounded by people with good or bad music tastes. I heard Rage Against the Machine around the same time, and when I went to [music store] Planet M, someone told me if I liked Rage, then I would like Limp Bizkit. I bought Three Dollar Bill Y’all$ and this was the first song that got me started. It’s a bulldozer of a track and it’s safe to say that my love for Limp Bizkit is one of the healthiest I have among bands.

“Eriatarka” The Mars Volta, 2003

I began hearing The Mars Volta when my brain started understanding what progressive music meant. I looked them up because of their previous band, At the Drive-In, who were such a brash bunch. It was very ruthless music, it was heavy or chunky, like a screeching little baby. I heard De-Loused in the Comatorium, trying to find a connection. It’s very different, but amazing. I couldn’t believe that no one had heard this album and I still can’t believe no one worships them as much as they deserve.

“Kim” Eminem, 2000

If you had to get affected by good art, this is the right song. Eminem’s vocal prowess is what I’ve always respected, and his music, particularly songs like “Kim” were all about dramatizing rap. His music is influential in my style. It’s really theatrical. It’s a great example of how to totally blow someone’s mind with music. It’s that educational.

“Pig Latin” The Dillinger Escape Plan and Mike Patton, 2002

This is from their album called Irony is a Dead Scene. Mike Patton is on here, and he’s a perfective influence for me. I discovered Dillinger the same way I got on to Mars Volta, except five years later. I never knew someone could make music so intellectually but recklessly. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it was a bad he [Patton] was a part of. On this album, Patton is as much a part of the band as the drumkit. Every rule was broken.

“Gimme Dat” Foreign Beggars, 2003

Foreign Beggars are also a major influences with what I do vocally in my life. This song is from their album Asylum Seekers. They’re the pride of hip hop in the UK and they’ve really influenced me. As far as the evolution o fan artist is concerned, these guys keep getting better with every record. I heard them live at Weekender and [vocalist] Orifice Vulgatron was on fire.

“Bumblebee” PINKNOISE, 2014

I actually heard this song a long time ago ”“ at least three or four years ago at one of the Weekenders. It was also the first time I saw [PINKNOISE drummer] Jiver. Every time someone watches him, you’ll realize he’s one of the most skilled musicians out there. I’ve seen them play this with [bassist] Gyan Singh as well, who is sadly no more. Easily, they’re the best band from India at this point.

“Sacred Science” Karsh Kale, Baiju Dharmajan, Njeralathu Harigovindan, 2011

I’m actually not partial to [music and travel show] The Dewarists, but the first season is very close to me. I shot the episode for this song close to my ancestral home in Angadipuram [Kerala]. But coming to the song, I’d say watching Mr. Harigovindan do what he does with the edakka drum was amazing. Plus, my whole experience working with Karsh Kale was great ”“ he’s such an extraordinary musician and human being. This song and the episode eventually became one of the most important milestones in my life.