1)Would you like to introduce yourself?
Rishi Dhir. I’ve been making music over the past 10+ years with my main project Elephant Stone, newer project MIEN, and now Acid House Ragas.
I’ve been wanting to do AHR since 2005 or so… it’s just taken a while for the concept to come to fruition.

2)When and why did you start playing?
Picked up my first sitar in India back in 1996 and haven’t looked back. I grew up surround by Bollywood, Indian classical, and the Beatles. Why did I pick up the sitar? Not sure… it just felt like something I had to do. I spent my 20s focusing on sitar studies with my teacher (Uwe Neumann) in Montreal. I managed to always incorporate it in the many projects I’ve been involved in (Elephant Stone, Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Black Angels), but AHR is the first time where the sitar is the main focus.

3)What is your favourite part about this line of work? Your least favourite? Why?
Creating something from nothing is the greatest feeling. It’s like trying to catch a pixie. Making music is something that I’ve done longer in my life than I haven’t… it’s hard to imagine a time when I don’t need it any more…

4)Is there a hidden meanings in your work that you are surprised that nobody spotted (or that was noticed quicker than you expected)?
So much hidden meaning… but I never expect anyone to know exactly what it all means.

5)How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
Smile and carry on. Mistakes actually add to the tensions/excitement of a performance. That’s the true magic of live music.

6)Which of your tracks would you recommend for any new listeners?
Bhairavi, of course! It’s the debut track from AHR.

7)If you were given the power to do so, which overused interview question would you have banned?
“Describe your music”

8)And, most importantly, what is your favourite type of cookie?
Felix and Norton cookes (RIP)