Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Prem Byrne
Prem Byrne is an independent singer-songwriter from Marin County, California, creating pop music that explores the depths of the human experience. Born in San Francisco in 1969, Prem spent his formative years in India, and at age 11 began learning guitar from his mother’s handwritten songbooks that featured legends like Dylan, The Stones and The Beatles. The experience of being in India as a boy, seeing the poverty around him as well as in his own family, had a profound effect. There were countless instances of running out of money and food where someone would show up—a friend, an acquaintance, or sometimes even a complete stranger—and help the family out, even though these people were usually poor themselves. Prem credits the vulnerability of his childhood, and the humanity of people around him, for the depth in his songs. ˇSongs like “You’ll Do Fine,” and “A Beautiful Life” have within them an underlying kindness and empathy for the human experience and offer encouragement to keep going and to embrace the challenges and profound beauty of life. Prem didn’t fully pursue his musical dreams until later in life, when a chance encounter with a musician in Brazil reignited his passion. Prem’s music reflects his journey, exploring themes of resilience, authenticity, and hope. Prem’s sound– reminiscent of Sting’s production style–carries the promise of connection and introspection. His goal: to inspire people to explore life’s deeper truths through music.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
When I was 4 years old, I was completely spellbound watching “Man of La Mancha,” the 1965 musical, crying and learning all the words to the songs. I’m also told that before I could even walk I would stand and shake whenever The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” came on the radio.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I always had a strong love for music but when I was 10, my mother was a backup singer in a rock n’ roll band touring around southern India, and I would be front and center watching them at rehearsals and performances and that brought the idea of creating music much closer to me. Someone I knew was playing chords for The Rolling Stones’ song, “Sympathy For The Devil,” which was one of the songs the band would perform, and I asked him to show me the chords. That ended up being the first song I ever played. I was 11, at a party, and I picked up a guitar and started singing and playing that song and got a lot of attention from the grown ups at the party. That was the beginning of a lifetime of wanting to play music and be heard.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
The song “You’ll Do Fine,” came to me over 20 years ago when I was in Vietnam, trying to change careers and teach English abroad. Everything about the experience was new and challenging–new work, new country, away from friends and family. The song came to me as both a way of comforting myself, telling me that everything was okay, and also challenging myself to try something new. The song acts kind of like the ideal version of parenting would work–a mothering force that nurtures and comforts, while the fathering force provides structure, discipline and helps us start moving in the world by ourselves. This song is always a good reminder for me to show up for myself and have the courage to go for what I want, while knowing that I’m okay, win or lose.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It’s like Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel joined forces again, went over to Sting’s house, then they all went out to a coffee shop and met up with Tracy Chapman and Cat Stevens and went to a Pink Floyd show together and all met backstage and collaborated with Sade who just happened to be there too.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
The concept of songwriting having two forces, The Muse and The Editor. I used to just rely on The Muse, the initial inspiration, and when The Muse was done being inspired, I assumed the song was ready. Then I learned about the Editor, a crucial part of the process who comes in after The Muse and organizes and cleans up to make sure that listeners will understand and appreciate what’s happening. There are often hard choices that have to be made in order to do this, and that’s where the Editor comes in. The Muse, while an absolutely wonderful creative force and a total miracle, usually can’t write a complete song alone.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I might have struggled to answer this question before I jammed my index finger 6 weeks ago while body surfing. I have not been able to play guitar since then, and have been made painfully aware of how much I depend on the guitar for the songwriting process. I THINK in guitar, if that makes sense. When I’m songwriting, the guitar is often in my hand and I’m ruminating and going over and over melodies and lyrics and harmony and rhythm, all while using the instrument that I’ve been using since I was 11.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Two years ago I happened upon Sierra Ferrell at a music festival and I’ve been keeping an eye on her ever since and going to her shows whenever she’s nearby. Her song “In Dreams” is one of my favorite songs of all time.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A songwriting mentor of mine said these words: “Don’t write what you want to say. Write what you want to hear.” Like all of us, I’ve taken a beating over my lifetime and a lot of my songs have a combination of nurturing, forgiving, and encouraging messages while also having a little bit of a challenge in them– a challenge to show up for ourselves and work harder for the things we care about
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
The same thing that I just said for myself, because I know there are many people out there who are going through or have gone through or will go through difficult chapters of their lives. The songs I write are to help us all continue on our path, as best we can, with the courage we’ve always had inside us.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
When a song touches me, it makes me feel so alive and takes me into a part of me that feels like home. Music reminds me of who I am, deep down at my core. And that is a pretty important lesson, (that I keep having to be reminded of, over and over again).
