We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Scattered Light a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Julian Rauh – Basically since I was a kid. I had a couple different ideas of what I wanted to do, but at the end of the day, music was the most interesting.
Matthew Pashalian – I don’t know if it was something I really chose. I think it’s something that just kind of chooses you.
Asher Fidel – As long as I can remember. It seemed like the only choice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that, can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Julian Rauh – Classical music student. I like sci-fi, nature, and rock n roll.
Matthew Pashalian – I guess I am an educator by day, musician by night. Music is however always a constant within me. I know it sounds cliche to say you eat, drink, sleep, and breathe music, but it really is something I just can’t go a day without.
Asher Fidel – I do music – and music!

What do you think sets you apart from others?

Julian Rauh – I study classical music, and I play in a rock band, and I think that those two things complement each other.
Asher Fidel – I am very passionate about my work. It seems a lot of people aren’t too interested in the music that they actually play. I always make sure to give my performance everything I can.
Matthew Pashalian – I think what sets us apart, at least in our locale, is that no one really does what we do. We play a dark, emotionally charged, unapologetically heart on sleeve style of hard rock that still retains a commercialism that makes it easy to relate and get into.

How would you describe the performance aspect? 

Asher Fidel – That this looks like it would just be the best day job!
Matthew Pashalian – Intense. Sometimes, the things that have happened in your day can affect your performance. I think some nights I get a lot more animated than others for sure.
Julian Rauh – We go hard, there isn’t much more to say about it than that!

What are you most proud of and that you want people to know about?

Julian Rauh – Going to school for music and pursuing this as a career. Not a lot of people have the opportunity to go or do that.
Matthew Pashalian – I’ve gotten a few messages from listeners over the years who have told me that our music, specifically the song, “A Way to Live,” really helped them through a tough time. That’s really what a big part of this music is, as well as what the name suggests.
Asher Fidel – I’m most proud that people are hearing our music and really want them to continue listening to it and what is to come.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?  

Julian Rauh – Honestly, just the power of listening to more music and different players. People know they can do that, but I think a lot of young musicians especially don’t know how vital it is to listen to everything and soak it all in. Matthew Pashalian – For me it was always about books and training my ear. I think it benefited me more that I didn’t have all the digital resources people can have at a few clicks now.
Asher Fidel – The few years that I have been doing music seriously, the experience has changed so much that I don’t know what would be valuable resources for people just coming up. I don’t think that the resources that may have helped us early on would help people now.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey? 

Matthew Pashalian – Like most musicians, I guess the hope to take it to that next level and reach as many people as possible who hopefully not just love, but connect in a positive way with what we do.

It’s a new year – what should readers and listeners be on the lookout for in 2024?

Matthew Pashalian – We just began recording our next album of new material and the first single should be out sometime in late March or early April. So, we are excited about that, and for everyone to hear it!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.scatteredlight.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scatteredlightofficial/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/scatteredlightofficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@scatteredlight
• Other: e-mail: [email protected]

Image Credits
Black and White Images – Dan Alavi Color Image – Matt Faciana Group Shot – Oscar Ramirez