Arts

A song for Alyssa

By Joshua Surendraraj

Born out of the pain of losing a pet dog, Stigmata’s debut single from their forthcoming album is a reminder of the uncertain times we live in, says Suresh, the group’s frontman

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To Alyssa with love

To all of us confined to our homes, wondering when we’ll be able to go back to our usual lifestyles and workdays or how to put food on the table, things can sometimes seem frustrating. In times like this, music, art and literature can be a balm to the restless. In case you haven’t heard it, ‘Alyssa’ – the newly released debut single from Stigmata’s upcoming fifth album is a song straight from the heart.

This album will be very different for the rock band since the songs on it are based on deeply personal experiences just like ‘Alyssa’. Experiences of pain, loss, death, depression, regret and “what it means to be truly vulnerable, fragile and broken when faced with how frail our own mortality is,” says Stigmata’s frontman Suresh De Silva. The band comprises Tennyson Napoleon, Thisara Dhananjaya and HafzelPreena along with Suresh.

The new single is a coping mechanism of sorts, for Suresh especially, who had lost his dog Alyssa Nakamichi – the song is named for her. “As creators we pour ourselves into what we create, but I feel it’s so much more. This is a song to immortalise what we feel about our loved ones and to ensure memories of them will be made eternal. We felt it’s the best way to honour them,” he says.

Suresh

As everyone who has had a much-loved pet would agree, the loyalty and faithfulness of a pet is incomparable. As Suresh sees it, “they are our sails and anchors.” He firmly believes that our pets stay with us, even in the afterlife because “they become the parts of our lives that we as humans can never fill with materialism, wealth, status, religion, power and other things. They make us complete.”

It follows then that when you share a special bond with a pet, it’s always so hard when you lose them. Suresh explains, “the joy we’d bring to our pet even during the few moments that we pay them attention and spend time with them is unparalleled.” This is just why people should make an effort to do so, especially during these curfew times, he adds.

“Life is short and time scarce and even they have a limited time on this planet with us.”

2020 began on a celebratory note for the band entering their 20th year. Suresh recalls the milestones on their journey- being featured on the Discovery Channel, Triple J Radio, MTV and BBC, even playing overseas to audiences in the thousands.

Tennyson

However, being here right now and receiving positive feedback for ‘Alyssa’, the first single the band has released worldwide on all the leading streaming platforms is quite overwhelming, Suresh finds. The band has also lined up a heartwarming video that comprises tributes to departed pets – pictures and clips sent by people from around the world, but its release had to be postponed owing to the current situation.

The album represents a milestone of sorts for the band for it is mixed and mastered by a Grammy nominated UK producer RomeshDodangoda. Romesh has recorded with some of the most renowned international bands such as Motörhead, Architects, Bullet for My Valentine, Bring Me the Horrizon etc. “That in itself is a colossal thing for us,” Suresh says.

The album is currently being recorded at Evilcat Labs (Thisara and Tenny’s home studio) and then at Pearlbaymusic. Fans can look forward to the next single ‘Sacred Spaces’ hopefully by June.

Thisara

As Suresh puts it, Stigmata has always been a “subversive entity that’s had to forge our path and never take shortcuts or cut corners.” And from the band’s perspective all their challenges have been a learning curve. On this note just like everyone else they too have been doing what’s necessary to survive during these lockdowns.

The crisis has taught them to be more introspective and appreciative of the things they have and the people in their lives. Suresh hopes that humanity as a whole will learn from this situation, “ to adapt, to make the most of what we have, to learn to ration and be reasonable, empathic and compassionate to others. But above all, to learn that everyone is equally helpless.”

“Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate based on heritage, nationality, race, religion, gender, social and civil status etc. It’s certainly humbled us and opened ourselves to each other,” he reflects.