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Multi-Instrumentalist "Asdru Sierra" talks Shakespeare and Music for film

Q&A with Joshua Capiga

MH: Hi Asdru, welcome back from Japan, I hope all is well and thanks for taking the time to talk to MightyHip. Last time we saw each other we were rocking out to Johnny Cash. Who is on heavy rotation right now? Who are you jamming to?

AS: I’ve been listening to Tom Waits' album, "Real Gone." And "Wu Tang Clan Vs. The Beatles."

MH: We are all fond of music, and it speaks to us in different ways. You come from a musical family, can you recall that moment or song that resonated with you and you knew that this was your path

AS: I remember my dad used to put on really cool, old sounding tapes and records of some old mambo and bolero music from time to time.

He would always seem a bit nostalgic but happy to hear it, and song along. (He has a great voice, sang professionally for a while).

At one point, I must've been about 5 or 6 years old, he said, "Son, this is your grandfather singing. I really miss watching him perform. He was happiest when he performed. Mijo! Be proud of your ancestors!"

I noticed his 78 RPM records always had that little dog with the phonograph on the labels, he was signed to RCA Mexico. Looking at all these old pix of him with a big tumabdora and a huge smile, singing into an old ribbon microphone...it just looked like magic to me, man. It just made sense...

MH: You’ve gone thru your own struggles, specifically the loss of your brother. You wrote the Ozomatli song "Cumbia De Los Muertos" for him, can you speak a little to the cathartic nature of music. What would you recommend to upcoming artist going thru their own struggles?

AS: Dia de Los Muertos in my culture is looked upon like "Mother's Day." It's not weird or taboo.

It's just meant as a day to remember and honor all your loved ones that passed away.

In my own experience, it was a positive way to deal with death.

As a kid growing up in the US, it always seemed difficult to talk about it with other folks.

Especially since we were living in a time where there were gang wars happening in the 80's... There was so much death happening, and no one really knew how to deal with so much of it amongst the youth.

Had to find something to cling to to stay centered as much as you could.

For myself, it was music.

I remember in my teens, there were so many "drive-bys" that my dad barricaded the wall on our porch with big metal tables and stuff to deflect bullets. Not that people were really aiming at us, but the shooters were basically all kids with no real experience with fully automatic rifles, and such bad shots!

One night that always comes to mind, there were a lot of shots going on outside our home.

I sat on the floor to avoid being shot in case any bullets rang through and my parents turned off all the lights. My dad bought me a Walkman recently, and I put on the headphones.... I listened to Miles Davis to drown out the sounds outside. It really helped. It was the most proactive way I could've found to deal with life as a teen...music. And something about listening to Miles, Coltrane, or Hendrix, or Pink Floyd, The Cure, Tears For Fears and Santana.... It took me somewhere safe. Music is an outlet that was constructive when I was young.

Sometimes when my parents or any adult couldn't explain what life was about, I would learn about it by listening to the "Abraxas" album or "Blue In Green."

As a musician, then I moved into learning all these songs, and do my best to write my own music in hopes that my compositions could do the same for another kid.

MH: You’re working on a solo album called Abstrakto on the independent record label PurpleHaus. I’ve heard the album and I really enjoy “Venganza”, “Diabla” and “Pistolero”. Can you tell me a little bit about the inspiration behind making this album, the instrumentation, the lyrical subjects, and the overall vibe.

AS: "Venganza" was inspired by Hamlet. (Yeah, man. I read Shakespeare. Sup, vato?) I loved sensing in the reading when Hamlet met the ghost of his father and came to learn how it was foul play how he died. What he must've felt when he thought how his mother who married his murdered father's brother after two months and said, "...frailty, thy name is woman!" And then, vengeance. It's loosely based on it, but what better way to see what someone is thinking then by Shakespeare explaining it?

When my brother was murdered, vengeance ran thru my mind... I had to find ways to express it without seeming morbid or cumbersome. Because, man... directly translated what went on can be a drag to the listener. Ha! Records like this are healing to me. All this music is based on real life experience with a touch of embellishment artistically to make a song make sense.

I also had a 5, 10, 15 minute rule when I was writing this record.

If I could make a good hook and verse in the first 5 minutes, I'd move on.

If I couldn't finish writing the song in 10 minutes, I'd move on.

If I couldn't complete it well enough into basic production to show to Balt, I'd move on.

I had to meditate every morning as I would wake up in the studio. It was the only way I could effectively be creative.

This was one of my most gratifying self-growth experiences I've had, besides having children with my wife.

MH: The music on "Abstrako" has a very cinematic flavor to it. You’ve also composed for movies and video games. How did you go about getting your music placed? Was it a challenge?

AS: Honestly, it's a bit of luck combined with knowing folks. You do your best to find what you're good at and have to offer. My band and brand is unique. I've won some Grammys. I've made friends and have some success. It's a slow process that is up and down and is ever-changing.

MH: In the hyper competitive world of music placement, which seems to be the new MTV, many musicians are eager to get their music in film/TV and video games. Without giving away your secrets, do you have any useful advice for aspiring musicians?

AS: Be true to your talents. Be true to yourself, and don't settle. Dare to be different without pushing people out, artistically. It's not a secret, really. Just be kind and stay on top of your people skills. I recommend for all to take some business classes as well as learning some form of etiquette or basic people skills. Chances are, if you're a musician/artist, you may be a little different than most people. So, learn how to be within society. But, yeah.... Take some business classes and get privy to technology.

MH: You’ve had success with Ozomatli, world tours, Grammys, hardcore fans. What does success in music mean to you?

AS: To me it means that I am showing my children that you can accomplish what you want if you stay balanced without losing quality control in whatever you do. Better to have challenges in life doing what you love than in something you don't love.

No matter what you do in life, there will always be challenges. Might as well keep up with what you love.

*For more information about Asdru, Abstrakto and PurpleHaus Records go to www.purplehausmusic.com

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