Interview with RAHM

By Conor Fynes on November 15, 2016

Rahm is a mysterious new solo project. On his time away from his day ob, Rahm creates progressive rock of the classic variety. Where many artists would make their prog intense and cerebral, Rahm (and his recent EP Between the Lines) is incredibly mellow and soft. It’s as if Rahm has created the sense of a low-key coffee shop songwriter in the context of prog rock; the effect is sincere and authentic. We got a hold of Rahm to ask him some questions about his work.

Hey Rahm. How’s it going today?

great actually. my first album is out and I’m excited. It’s an end of a chapter and I should be preparing to attend for the next one in line. But first things first.

In a few words, how might you describe your project?

Well, as someone once put it: you have to start fast and slowly increase.

This project started as a prototype and ended much better than I expected. All along I was busy trying to figure out who I am as an artist. I didn’t resolve this yet. What a journey.

Progressive rock is a definite anchor in your music. What’s your history with prog been like as a listener and musician?

I am a diversified listener, but Progressive Rock is a special case. I got hooked when I was a teenager and it always made me feel at home. So, it was just natural to go that way on my first album. though, I wanted to add my own colors to the genre, and I think I’ve made it. Not a typical prog album, i agree. but hey, only dead fish go with the flow.

Your EPK talks about “visual silence”. The idea sounds like it would be a perfect match for contemplation or listening to music. What makes this concept of visual silence so important for your music?

We are all flooded with useless visual/audible streams all day long. personally I cannot even process most of this data, it just goes through without any benefit. and you can’t really connect to your inner sources while you are being attacked like that. so the best you would come up with under such conditions is echoing your distress. no emotion, no inner truth. just a masks. fake or not, this is what you mostly hear on the radio these days.

As an introvert, I really enjoy turning off everything that draws attention. it’s a great relief once its done, and my creativity always comes out from its shell. did someone say tunnel vision?

Between the Lines is your first EP. How would you describe the process that went into making it a reality?

it was quite a ride actually. the first song that I ever recorded is not included in this album because it was so different from the things that came after it. i went from one song to about thirty songs in two years, during which I kept humming to myself endlessly while driving and singing into my phone while walking. and of course, avoid puzzled strangers staring at me while I’m at it.

I had tremendous help from my producer, Ofer Yair, who has done incredible things in his studio. we’ve selected top musicians, and a marvelous french singer, Nourith who colored the songs with her voice.

Were there any events or ideas that really inspired the music on the EP in particular?

the song “Between The Lines” was an obvious anchor. I was thrilled by its explosive energies, it became clear immediately that it will be in the center of this album. the ideas behind it goes way back, to my a teenage days. I was inspired by Marillion at that point in time. I know that it doesn’t resemble their style today, but It did originally, at least in my head.

How do you write music? Do you practice fairly regularly?

I hate practicing. alway did. I’m really into composing actually. when I play, I usually end up with ideas. I record them with my phone and listen repeatedly. it works best while I drive, instead of listening to the radio or playing music. in time small ideas grow into bigger ideas. words appear and stick to the music. basically its an intellectual struggle that happens mostly in my head. sometimes I’m in total control, on other occasions it fights back and takes lots of time to complete.

What’s the reception to your music from other people been like so far?

I am getting positive vibes from my close family. but I don’t trust them – they can’t be objective do they? so I gradually increased my exposure to outer circles. and the feedback that I’m got so far, ranges between genuine enthusiasm to “I don’t like rock”. gladly, no one said yet that my music sucks. being such a thin-skinned person that i am, that’s something to be grateful for.

Do you find any challenges in balancing your music with your work/family life?

These things doesn’t go well together. many pits and tons of challenges. at the end you got to be an intentional, self-aware narcissist in order to maintain your creative space and overcome those barriers. but I hereby declare that it is totally possible. here is my proof for that.

What have you been listening to lately? Any albums of the year?

21 pilots. I like their energy. and lately I got back to the album Passion by Peter Gabriel. it was one of my favorites for many years. it still is.

What advice would you give to other musicians and creatives?

don’t do this for living. detach the “what I’m getting payed for” from your creative process and enjoy the difference.

Is there any plan to bring other musicians into this project, maybe even perform live at a point?

performing live is a distant idea at the moment, not a plan. momentum must be built for something like that. in contrast, sharing a project with other musicians seems viable and almost necessary.

Would you do anything differently making Between the Lines now that the dust has settled and you’re able to view it more objectively?

I have no regrets. I really love the result.

What are you planning on in the future for your music?

I’m working on a new single right now, my 14 years old daughter is singing with me. she’s incredibly talented and the result is stunning. the song is called “morning light”.

Any last words?

how do you like them apples?

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

Links:

https://rahm.bandcamp.com/