An interview with Giles Goveas

5Minutes
New sticks in town: Giles Goveas

Desiree’ N. Francis
Karachi

Meet Giles Goveas. His dad has been supporting and encouraging him since his childhood, he’s been hailed by some as a Gumby in the making, and his collaboration with Aunty Disco Project has brought him in the limelight. He is shy, but real. He takes pride in his dedication to his profession and claims to have musical influences pretty astounding. We spoke to Giles in his warm house in Karachi about his musical journey. Here’s what he had to say...

Instep Today: You’ve been drumming from the age of seven, when did you realise drumming was your passion?

Giles Goveas: Well, I started with the Dominic Savio Choir with my dad Alan Goveas. Eventually I was playing with small bands like Kashish, Qarar and a few friends. It was when I was around 18 that I realized this passion. It has been the most awesome feeling ever since.

Instep Today: Who was the first person to ever recognize your talent and encourage you?

Giles Goveas: My dad has backed me to the extent that he even said if I don’t want to study it wasn’t a problem. Then there was Ashley Clements, my brothers Gratian and Ferdinand, Norman. All these people have played a major role in my life.

Instep Today: According to you, what makes a good musician?

Giles Goveas: I think a good musician is someone who takes a piece of music, works on its basics, and adds his own flavour to it. One who takes the trouble to study a song’s technicality. All this needs hard work and loyalty to music of course.

Instep Today: Are these traits missing in most mainstream musicians today?

Giles Goveas: Hmmm…not all of them. I do know a lot of people who really work hard and some who work just for the money and not for the music.

Instep Today: There is a lot to describe your sound. Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

Giles Goveas: My biggest influences as a child have been Bon Jovi, Toto, Aerosmith, Guns n’ Roses. However when it comes to drumming; Dave Bechen, Steve Smith, Simon Phillips, Carter Benford from the Dave Matthews Band took my drumming to another level.

Instep Today: Now that you’re traveling so much, have you found yourself inspired by your experiences on the road?

Giles Goveas: I have traveled across Pakistan and the young drummers of today have a lot of new sounds. They inspire me. Also the August rush music, plants, trees, even the katakat guy on the road. Some of these things really hit you in terms of beats.

Instep Today: You’ve been with the Aunty Disco project since 2009, how has the journey been so far?

Giles Goveas: My journey with ADP has been amazing. Before ADP I had played with many bands and learnt from them. However, with ADP, I had a different level of expansion and growth. I never believed I could do it but I did a lot of recordings with them and played some major shows too. This engraved my confidence.

Instep Today: We hear of OBA (Omar Bilal Akhtar) in reference to ADP all the time. Do you feel threatened by this? What about the other band members?

Giles Goveas: Never. it’s never been like that. OBA had his own name before ADP. He is part of us and we feel together. If it wasn’t for OBA the band would have already broken up. He has a good mind, a sense of direction. We take each other’s differences politely. We have a mutual understanding which is great.

Instep Today: Describe Giles Goveas the musician in three words?

Giles Goveas: (Smiles) Successful, hardworking and talented.

Instep: Describe Giles Goveas the person in three words?

Giles Goveas: Straight forward, awesome and loyal

Instep Today: What are your upcoming plans?

Giles Goveas: We are planning on some shows here and abroad. We’re also working on our album. ADP just released a single, ‘Meray Masoon Dost’ after two years.

Instep Today: How far do you plan to take your music in future?

Giles Goveas: Well I plan on having my own studio for one. I want to help other upcoming bands, record for them etc. I also plan on having a music school where I can teach children and adults. This will be my way of giving back to society.

Instep Today: Lastly, the one gift of a lifetime that you’d like to receive?

Giles Goveas: To meet Jon Bon Jovi in person and play a song for him. Everything else I can get for myself.

Published in The News, Instep, March 08, 2011