WHY AM I HERE? (or Hello, world)

ProgTones - Promo Shot Dec 2021 01

Heya, howdy, g’day, namaste!

My name’s Anand (“ah-nun”), I was born in the 90’s and as a result often find myself reminiscing about the time before the internet and cellphones. I was raised in a beautiful town nestled the foothills of the Indian Himalayas called Chandigarh, with a few odd years in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Today, I’m proud to consider myself both an Indian and an Aussie, and can manage samosas with avo-on-toast for brunch!

I picked up the guitar at the age of 15 - purely to compensate my lack of interest and ability in sports - and idled by until I discovered Opeth and Porcupine Tree. I remember marveling at both the composition AND production of Opeth’s ballad “Hope Leaves”. Thereafter I got a bit more serious about guitar and sound-design, heavily influenced by Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Pink Floyd, Steven Wilson, Meshuggah, Karnivool, Mastodon, and more obscure prog artists.

I live in New York City, where my day job helps me foray into my fascination for guitars, amplifiers and effects, while I take to the evenings to jam with musicians in this vibrant city, and record live guitar loops and prog covers from my apartment. I’ve become a bit of a gear-head and absolutely revere Paul Reed Smith guitars.

This website is aimed at tying together my creative outlets. Should I find myself rubbing on a dusty genie lamp, I’d have three things to ask!

  • Snag a record deal with an underground-ish prog label (hello there, Kscope!)

  • Get endorsed by PRS Guitars!

  • Tour while opening for Opeth, Steven Wilson, Meshuggah, Karnivool, or others!

It’s always good to dream! ;)

Anand Gupta