After recently finishing an outrageous performance in London, British rockers “Enter Shikari” are ready to bring their alt-rock energy to Dallas.
Preparing for a performance to remember at the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill April 27, the group is excited to bring their sound to the States. Touring in support of their new album, “The Mindsweep,” they’re playing their new songs from the record as well as their classic hits.
SMU Campus Weekly had a chance to sit down and chat with Enter Shikari about their upcoming show and album.
Campus Weekly: What made you want to follow music as a profession?
Enter Shikari: Well when I was really young (9- or 10-years-old) my parents would always tell me what a “great musical ear” I had and would constantly encourage me to pursue playing some kind of musical instrument. In hindsight, I think I they just knew that there was no hope for my two older and tone-deaf siblings, and I was their last chance for the musically talented offspring they had always wanted. But I never really enjoyed playing music until my best friend started playing the electric guitar when we were about 14. After that I was completely obsessed with playing guitar; it’s all I wanted to do all the time. And I didn’t meet anyone else who shared my enthusiasm for music until I met the other guys which then formed Enter Shikari.
CW: How did you get your start professionally?
ES: We always say it was a hobby that got out of hand. In a way that is very true, but I think that honestly we always knew it was a little more than a hobby. The truth is we just worked our tails off touring around the UK for about three years until we were selling out small rooms, then we kept going until someone from the wider music industry (Mike from Universal Publishing) noticed us and offered us some cash to record an album. That album was of course “Take To The Skies.” And the rest is history.
CW: You’ve made a number of albums prior to “The Mindsweep,” how do you think your sound has evolved over time?
ES: With every album we just write music that interests and excites us at the time. So our music very naturally evolves with our musical tastes. But I think mostly we have just increased the diversity of our music, more varied instrumentation, broader lyrical content, etc.
CW: What’s the best part about going on tour?
ES: Hanging out with your best mates all the time in loads of weird places and circumstances and then putting something together every day/night that people actually pay to come and see! I feel so proud of what we make and how much people seem to dig it.
CW: Are there any artists you would call inspirations?
ES: There are so many! Recently I have been getting back in to Dillinger Escape Plan. I can’t get enough of watching their live shows. They have such an incredible free and unleashed energy. Very inspiring.
CW: Did you ever find it difficult to balance music with other obligations in your life?
ES: Yeah I guess. I have two kids (aged 2 1/2 and 5 months) so it’s hard being away from them but at the end of the day I absolutely love touring. It’s all I know. My girlfriend is very understanding and plus, I am lucky enough to be able to provide a roof over our heads and food on the table and generally everything my family needs all because of music. So the two lives are very much interweaved and I’m am extremely privileged.
CW: What is your favorite track that you guys have made?
ES: I’ll say “Redshift” because that’s the most recent one, and songs are always the most exciting when they are new.
CW: How did you end up with the name Enter Shikari?
ES: Rous’ uncle had a fishing boat called “Shikari.” It means “hunter” in various Indian languages. We just thought it was a cool sounding word really. No deep meaning I’m afraid.
CW: What are some tips for aspiring artists?
ES: First, try to make music that you genuinely love. It sounds so simple but sometimes it can be the hardest thing in the world to stop caring what you imagine people might hate or love about your music. Second, hard work.
