Getting to Know… Asila | Interview 🎤

For our 171^st interview, we get the inside scoop on Los Angeles-based, self-described ‘Rock‘n’Soul’ band, Asila.

“We like to call ourselves Rock‘n’Soul!” Elaborate please, 🎙 Asila. “It’s rock with a soul influence in terms of vocals. So, it’s kinda like Halestorm mixed with Joss Stone.” Now that right there just sounds awesome! Honestly, the entirety of the interview with this ‘Rock‘n’Soul’ collective originally from Johannesburg, South Africa and currently based in Los Angeles, California is awesome in its own right. Honestly, what’s more intriguing than diving into a musician’s background and overall craft?  So, let’s conclude this intro and jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Asila: Interview No. 171!

Starting things off, for those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Asila distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?  

🎤 We like to call ourselves Rock’n’Soul! It’s rock with a soul influence in terms of vocals. So, it’s kinda like Halestorm mixed with Joss Stone. It’s high energy rock, but with a more bluesy but still belty vocal performance! Our message is one of self-empowerment and we always hope listeners can connect to our lyrics and our music.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Asila form and what were some of the goals or the visions you had as a band early on?

🎤 🎙 Richard [Globisch] and 🎙 Hana [Muftic] decided to form the band. When a bassist was needed, Hana and 🎙 Adrian [Patterson] knew each other from high school. It was quite difficult finding a drummer. And we’ve actually had quite a few drummer changes. We were called Revery during this period. But when 🎙 Taryn [Young] finally joined on drums, we decided to rename ourselves as Asila. Our vision was always to play music that’s true to us, not to what’s popular at the moment. Finding our sound was also a journey, but Taryn definitely helped cement us in the hard rock sound with her powerful drumming.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?  

🎤 When starting out, bands are usually full of energy and hope. But it’s a tough industry, filled with a lot of rejection and doubt. So, at first maybe we were focused on ‘making it’ in the industry, naive as it may seem. But after all these years, we’re grateful just to have the opportunity to still record and release music.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Who would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?  

🎤 For me, Richard, my influences have been quite varied. I was strongly influenced by classical music at first. Beethoven is my first musical memory. And classical guitarists like Francisco Tarrega strongly influenced my playing at first, as it was what I was learning. But my mom listened to a lot of Queen and The Beatles, and Queen blew my mind. Brian May’s playing and the composition of the music is just next level. My brother then got me into heavier music through Megadeth and Amorphis, so that’s where the heavy influence comes from. I loved guitar solos and that’s what influenced my lead guitar playing a lot. 

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.  

🎤 I was doing an improvised solo during one of our songs where I usually take some liberties in terms of solo time. During the solo a person from the crowd cheered me on to solo with the guitar behind my head. I tried, but while trying to get the guitar behind my head I smashed it into my face. Hard. End of solo.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?  

🎤 One of my personal favourites is 🎵 “Restore”. It’s a really emotional and powerful song. It’s got massive drums and epic strings and the chorus really soars. It’s also my favourite guitar solo that I’ve written. And it’s just a catchy song.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits? 

🎤 We, as people, are definitely not what’s considered ‘cool.’ We’re all introverts. And in an industry where networking is key, that makes it kinda hard.

Closing things out, what is Asila currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

🎤 We’ve just released our latest single 🎵 “Hot Blooded Woman”! It’s a pumping rock track about women empowerment. We’re also in the planning stages for the music video. So far there is going to be a lot of ass kicking and possibly the chewing of gum. But due to Coronavirus, there’s no gum around. So, I guess… kicking butt it’s going to be.

Thank you so much for sharing taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

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Getting to Know… Asila: Interview No. 171 🎤 [📷: Asila, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype]