Prog metal guitarist Plini talks to us about his latest album, Sunhead, ahead of his India tour

The instrumental musician made his Indian debut in Pune at VH1 Supersonic 2018 and he is back in the country this month 
Plini
Plini

Guitarist Plini Roessler-Holgate describes himself on his website humbly, “I am a 26 year old from Sydney, Australia. I like to travel, eat and make music.”  But this musician is more than just that. With a trilogy of EPs, tonnes of a singles and the full-length album, Sunhead released last year, this instrumental progressive metal musician is frequently called a guitar prodigy. He made his Indian debut in Pune at VH1 Supersonic 2018 and he is back in the country this month on his Sunhead Album Tour. We speak to him about the album and what we can expect from the tour:

What is Sunhead  influenced by?
The influences are, musically, all the stuff I’ve discovered and grown to love in the past few years — artistes like Tigran Hamasyan, Tim Miller, The 1975, Jakub Zytecki, to name a few. When I was younger, I was much more interested in rock, metal and punk, but I have definitely widened my listening habits since then.

You are an important  figure in progressive music. What are your thoughts on the genre today?
Most of my favourite progressive music artistes at the moment are the ones who are bringing sounds, production techniques and ideas across from other genres like EDM or post-rock. Some bands and artistes doing good work are Jakub Zytecki, Owane, Leprous, Agent Fresco, Mestis... I could go on forever!

Tell us about the band that you will be playing with?
Jake Howsam Lowe (guitar) and Simon Grove (bass). Both of them have played with me since my very first gig. Chris Allison (drums) is relatively new to the band, but has been around the world with us over the past year.

Which is your favourite track from the album for live gigs?
All of them are super fun! Salt + Charcoal has a nice mix of leads, riffs and simple parts, and it’s always interesting to see how different crowds headbang along to septuplets.

How was your experience in India last time?
It was amazing. Great crowds, great staff in venues and great food. It was much less chaotic than I expected! 

What are your plans for the rest of the year?
We have a week off after India and then we head to North America for another tour. I have taken up a position as a teacher in a music academy in New York, and besides that I have most of the year off to work on a new album!

Rs. 1,416. At Fandom, Koramangala. March 6, 8 pm. Details: 9606443394

 anagha@newindianexpress.com
@anaghzzz

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