Serpentwithacellphone is an Indian gothic, art rock band that released an art rock piece called ‘The Apology’. Here’s the interview-
1. What was the inspiration behind creating the unique number “The Apology”?
Suryansh: I wanted to do something crazier than usual. So I chose a track that spoke of a complicated and messed up state of mind.
2. Tell us a little about your experience as an artist. What pushed you to create music?
Suryansh: To be honest, for the longest time, I didn’t believe that I have what it takes to be an artist. I don’t know theory, I never professionally learned to master any instrument. I did join my school choir at a very young age though and maybe it was a gift of some kind but I was always good at finding harmonies and I’d remember the parts of everyone else in the choir and I’d often help them practice and somehow during all this I ended up developing a good ear. However I always had a very soft voice to ever be considered as a frontman. I started getting into prog and heavier music once I got into college but to be honest I was always focussed on the production or the drum parts or the guitar riff or some weird harmony playing beneath it, I mean, I would appreciate the amazing art but I had no clue about what the vocalist was trying to convey and had no emotional connect with the song. It was much later when the devil came for me. My playlist hasn’t changed in the past 16 years because all that I used to hear to appreciate the technical aspects has now started making sense emotionally. I make music for two reasons. Firstly to remind myself who I am. Secondly, because I owe it to that one person who resonates with my madness.
3. How has your musical journey been so far? How would you describe your music to a first-time listener.
Suryansh: Well, my musical journey has been amazing so far. I mean I have literally no listeners at all. Even the people that are close to me, relatives or my family aren’t too closely interested in what I create. Which is exactly what I need. It becomes my fuel. Every track that I make has a part of my soul in it because each and every note is selected based on the amount of emotion that particular note has the capacity to carry. See, I don’t have a label backing me which is why I am not restricted by genre. Every track of mine has a different vibe. If I were to describe it to a first time listener I guess I would say weird, dark and romantic.
4. What inspires you the most as an indie artist? Do you draw inspiration from spontaneous life events? Or are your creations methodically planned out?
Suryansh: Well its a little bit of both really. All my songs are mostly about my muse so I don’t usually have much trouble writing something new. However I never sit to write in a planned out way. I only write when an incident forces me to pen down my thoughts and from there it is truly a spontaneous overflow of emotions.
5. Tell us a little about your goal as an artist? Do you believe in art for art’s sake? Or is yours more like a spontaneous outlet of emotions?
Suryansh: l honestly do not have any goal as an artist. The problem with most artists today is that they are expecting something out of their art. I mean, some want to be famous. Some want to generate enough money to survive. Some are looking for appreciation from at least a niche audience. Firstly, when I make a track and listen to it, I already know how successful it is in my universe. I’ve heard enough music to know where I stand. Secondly, people like one thing today and will move on to the next tomorrow, their acknowledgement is absolutely hollow anyway. I’ve been called arrogant, delusional, self obsessed and narcissistic by the people closest to me. It is still better than losing faith in yourself as an artist. Moreover, I consider myself self aware and not any of those things.
I dunno how much I personally resonate with Wordsworth’s ideas but I do feel that Art chooses you. If it wants a track to be made then you’re merely a tool it uses for execution. I mean I could procrastinate a little but I would never be able to stand in its way. Suddenly you’ll notice that this one fine day your mind won’t let you do anything else. That emotion would start peaking and itll push you all the way into execution.
Check out the latest news: Guns N’ Roses Announce Major 2026 World Tour and Two New Singles
6. “The Apology” sounds both gripping and experimental, how would you describe the song’s concept?
Suryansh: As art is subjective and each artist has his own perspective as to how they wanna approach a track, what one likes may not be in consonance with the other. With the best of bands in the Rock/Metal scene, it is always quite a pickle to create a masterpiece where everyone’s creative space is respected. The truth is that most of the times if you want to create a masterpiece that appeals to a wide audience, firstly you have to consider what they would resonate with, secondly if you give every artist in the band his due space of performance, then the track, more often than not seizes to be a masterpiece. Especially in the Metal/Rock scene. Now, “The Apology” is written in raag Bhairavi. It talks about how two artists collide and systematically resolve their ego battles to create art. To be very honest, this entire track is mostly the producer’s design. I mean I wrote the lyrics but he knew exactly what musical direction he wanted to take that madness into and what exactly he wanted to dig out of me.
You may also like listening to: Bittersweet indie rock from UK group Jimmy Eff and the Sundogs for a good cause
Check out our playlists here!
Check out our YouTube channel for music reviews, playlists, podcasts, and more!
Promotional Disclaimer: This release was brought to you by a promotional campaign by the artist, PR, or management label
