Interviews: Project MishraM

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal/Carnatic band, Project MishraM, from India. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? You planned it or came out just like that?

Mishram means ‘mix’ in Sanskrit, and that was fundamentally what we wanted to do with music, across genres, influences, and aesthetics. It also refers to the seven-beat rhythm cycle in Carnatic music, and we’re seven of us. Plus, we thought, and still think, it sounds plain cool!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It’s really a product of who we are as individuals. We all have our own influences and styles, and the music we make is sort of the common meeting point of all of these separate things. We were naturally inclined to rhythmic and melodic complexities that are very prominent in Carnatic music. At the same time, we all make stank-faces when a Meshuggah or a TesseracT riff comes on.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

We met during our university days. We were part of our university’s music club named ‘Alaap’, and ended up interacting quite a bit due to shared tastes. Eventually, MishraM was born!

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Anirudh - Jacob Collier

Pranav - AR Rahman

Ram - Coldplay

Sanath - Linkin Park

Shivaraj - Skrillex

Srishankar - Meshuggah

Sumant - TesseracT

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We ultimately write music that we really want to listen to. This is a big creative outlet for all of us, and the process of collaborating, putting our musical brains together (and consequently butting them sometimes) is what ends up fueling our desire to write! All of us are in love with the process itself.

6. Where was your last gig?

We played Slaughterfest in Bangalore towards the end of 2024

7. Where would you like to act?

We’d love to play Download UK!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A total dream feature for us would be John Mayer. We think it’d allow us to explore totally different textures and fusions thereof. Plus, the world is totally ready for John Mayer to feature in an Indian progressive metal fusion track!

9. Whom not?

Honestly, no one! We’re super open to music and artists. Nothing is too weird or off limits for us, musically.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

For sure, in the very beginning, I think we were all anxious about our music resonating with crowds. But very soon and with enough practice, it was replaced by a ravenous desire for our music to be heard. Our tips for beginners are to face it head-on. It’s totally okay and normal to have that stage fright. The key is to be so confident and in love with your music that you can’t possibly let your own anxiety stop it from being heard!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Periphery’ve been a big inspiration for us with regards to their rigor and process when it comes to writing music. It’s funny, but we always want to be more productive every time we consume any of their content.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

No weird asks so far! (We’re waiting, y’all)

13. What do you think of your fans?

Love them to bits. We feel lucky to have people who’re moved by our music. It makes all the effort we put into writing and producing our music so worth it when someone tells us how much a certain song or a specific section in our song meant to them.

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathing The Core is a fantastic site for all things core and metal! We love the wealth of content and’ve even started listening to a few bands from the site after you got in touch with us.

15. Something to add?

We just put out a single titled LIBERATE recently on streaming platforms and YouTube, so do check it out! We’ve quite some material coming up in 2026 as well. And lastly, thank you so much for reaching out. It’s an honor to be featured