Interview With Le’Ridge Stereo from Nepal

Interview with Rachel Ott from Canada
May 23, 2023
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May 24, 2023

Le'Ridge Stereo 

Music has always been a lifelong passion of Piyush Shakya or better known as Le'Ridge Stereo when he received a collection of music from his uncle and sister!



Interview With The 2023 LIT Talent Awards Winner – Le'Ridge Stereo

1Please provide us with a brief bio of yourself and your background.
I go by my the stage name of Le'Ridge Stereo. My given name is Piyush Shakya. Born and raised in Nepal, currently a resident of New Jersey, US.
2What led you to become a talent/artist/influencer/performer/current profession?

Music has been my passion from an early age, sparked by the music collections I received from my maternal uncle and sister. At age 13, I discovered drums and formed a rock band in high school, which competed in music competitions. When I came to the US for college, I continued to play with various groups and started exploring guitar as a means of creating my own music.

In 2020, during the pandemic shutdown, I found myself with more time to reflect and tap into my creativity, and began piecing together fragments of my own tunes. This led to a renewed focus on song-writing, culminating in the release of my first EP in August of 2021.

3Tell us more about your studio/company/academy.
Youbble Records is a work in progress that I established with the goal of supporting emerging international talent in the United States. While my own experiences in the music industry have inspired me to create this label, my primary aim is to share the knowledge I've gained and help promote the work of other artists who are just starting out.
4What skills have you learned that will help you in your result and/or performance?
Since embarking on my musical journey, I have seen significant growth in my guitar playing, song-writing, and ability to create beautiful melodies. I am committed to continuing my learning and development, and I look forward to producing more meaningful and satisfying works through my passion and hard work.
5What is your own definition of an impressive performance/show/masterpiece?
To me, an impressive performance is a perfect union of sound, lighting, and stagecraft, all working together seamlessly to captivate and delight the intended audience.
6What is your creative or ideation process like?
My creative process doesn't follow a rigid formula, but it's typically driven by a mix of critical elements like mood, exploration, and dedication. For me, it usually starts with playing around with tunes while being mindful of my current emotions. I look for a catchy melody or a hook before I begin writing the lyrics. The topic is then informed by the emotions I'm experiencing, and I let the words flow naturally, matching the tunes to create harmony.
7What has been the best performance of your career so far?
I have played only a few small gigs so far. I am yet to witness the best. However, small intimate gigs have been very insightful and fun to play.
8Describe the worst performance you have seen. What would you change about it?
I had a gig where I did not make it on time for sound check. I ended up with a feedback noise in the middle of my performance in front of a crowd that did not really give a shit about music. I stopped and walked away. Lesson learned - Never skip sound check next time.
9Congratulations! As the winner of LIT Talent Awards, what does it mean to you, or your team, to receive this honor?
I believe that I have yet to fully realize my potential and the true significance of my talents. However, I am grateful for the validation that has come from being recognized by credible judges and competitions. It gives me a sense of hope that my song-writing capabilities may hold something truly special. I am thankful for the recognition of my creativity and will continue to strive to reach my full potential.
10How has winning an international awards help promote you and/or your masterpiece?
Being recognized in these competitions has been a great morale boost for me, and has helped to establish me as an emerging artist. However, promotion is still a challenge. I remain hopeful that these awards will eventually lead to new opportunities and help me find a broader audience for my music.
11What are the challenges, for your winning entry, that you faced?
While my music is beginning to gain some attention, the dream of marketing and reaching a wider audience still feels far away. I know that the journey ahead is long, but I remain committed to pursuing my passion for music and sharing my art with the world.
12What advise you will give to those who are in the same industry and/or are interested with your craft?

Don't take shortcuts when it comes to passion. The journey towards achieving our goals is often more valuable than the destination itself. Keep pushing yourself to give your best effort and don't give up on your dreams.

Competitions like these provide an opportunity to receive feedback and validation for your craft, and can be a valuable step towards success. With dedication and perseverance, I believe that both you and I can hope to gain popularity and recognition for our art in due time.

13Who inspired you in your life, and why?
For me, it's less about inspiration and more about influence. I have always been surrounded by people and musicians who share a deep love for music. As a Libra, I often turn to music to soothe my soul. Therefore, I want to give a tribute to all my family and friends who have played a significant role in shaping my musical journey and continue to influence me as I grow.
14Who do you admire and what did he/she do that motivated you?
Admiration is indeed subjective, and for me, the first people who come to mind are those who have supported me on this journey. I feel grateful for the different people I have collaborated with or spent time with during the creation of this song, as they have all played a significant role in motivating me to keep going and complete the project.
15Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Bliss N Eso and Logic.
16What is the key that made you succeed? Any parting words of wisdom?

In my experience, combining passion with emotions is a great recipe to follow for creating music. The fragments you create are like pieces of a puzzle that you need to put together. It's important to tap into the right feelings and emotions to create something meaningful.

Once you have even a slight feeling that your creation has potential, don't hesitate to send demos to your friends and apply for competitions. While marketing your music can feel like swimming in an ocean of songs, entering competitions can give you a secondary hope of getting noticed. So keep pushing and good luck!

17What is your upcoming masterpiece, that you’re currently preparing, about?
I am currently working on a Nepali Hip Hop/Rap track aimed at raising awareness about sexual discrimination, physical and mental abuse, and social injustices. This song will complete my EP titled "World We Live In."
18If you could change anything about the entire industry, what would it be?

Expanding the avenues for new artists to be discovered is crucial in promoting creativity and diversity in the music industry. Traditional methods of discovering new talent, such as talent shows or record label auditions, may not always be accessible or effective for everyone. Therefore, it is essential to have multiple avenues for aspiring musicians to showcase their talents and get discovered.

Furthermore, a robust support system for vetting new artists is equally important. Music industry professionals can play a significant role in guiding and mentoring emerging artists to help them develop their skills and reach their potential. This support can come in the form of workshops, mentorship programs, or even online resources that provide guidance on everything from song-writing to marketing and promotion.

By providing more avenues for discovery and support systems for vetting, we can create a more inclusive and diverse music industry that values creativity and innovation.

19Do you have anything else you would like to add for the interview?
Shoutout to my Diwas, Rebecca, Milos for their contribution in breeding this hit, and to all the beautiful people in my life for their support!

Winning Entry

World We Live In | 2023

LTA-le-ridge-stereo-the-world-we-live-in

"A political song of our times and the greed that infests our minds, this song is another reminder to love the diversity … (Read more at LIT Talent Awards.)


Le'Ridge Stereo

Music has always been a lifelong passion of Piyush Shakya or better known as Le'Ridge Stereo when he received a collection of music from his uncle and sister!


Read more about this interview with Yussi Choi from United States, the Gold Winner of the 2022 LIT Talent Awards.

Muse.World