Metal Anarchy

Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to bands that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have an exclusive Q&A with Annamaria Pinna of Vajra.

METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:

PINNA: We are from NYC. We are travelers who go outside the bounds of a sense-based perception to catch a musical or lyrical idea and then translate it to the material realm. When we get out of our own ways, we are translators or conduits for energies that move through us. Honoring what comes through is important for us. Musically, lyrically, and visually we explore what we are driven to explore. Our music has been described as hauntingly dark and hypnotic, weaving Eastern Indian themes with melodic, progressive rock, creating foreboding and mysterious lullabies.

METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?

PINNA: The influences are varied. Inspiration comes from observing a leaf fall from a tree, and watching it glide down to the ground, shifting to the rhythm of an imaginary pendulum moved by the air until it finally is gently welcomed by the cushion of the green grass. Living in different places like Mumbai, Tuscany, NOLA, San Francisco and New York color my experience. Dad was a monk before he met my mom, and his spirituality has infused the way I perceive my experience. I’ve studied yoga, meditation, dance, composition at Julliard and law, and I have this condition called Synesthesia, which affects how I process music. Nature, life, art, Tarkovsky, von Trier, Kubrick, Lynch, philosophers and consciousness astronauts (e.g., Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, Baba Ram Das, Joseph Campbell, etc.), mysticism, the occult, history, dance and politics are influences. Musically, it’s a lot of everything including Tool, A Perfect Circle, Om, Classical Hindustani, Alice In Chains, Duran Duran, Black Sabbath, Deftones, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Fever Ray, soul music, The Mars Volta, etc.

METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?

PINNA: Our EP, ‘Irkalla’ is the first part of a trilogy exploring the various levels of consciousness. ‘Irkalla’ is the Sumerian word for the Underworld. The EP focuses on the lowest level of consciousness. It is the base, material, selfish, ego aspects of ourselves (i.e., the ego-driven, lie, cheat, steal, aspects of the self). It is the place that we must shine a light and acknowledge before we move to the next levels of awareness. The videos for ‘Irkalla’ fit together into a short film and were all internally-written, shot, produced and edited by the band 100% DIY. The video for “Maya” was awarded nine Official Selections awards at the Cannes International Cinema Festival 2021, the New York Independent Cinema Awards 2021, the Montreal Independent Film Festival 2021, the 2021 ARFF Paris, Venice Shorts 2021, Chicago Indie Film Awards, the Kalakari Film Festival, Boston Independent Film Awards 2021, Berlin International Art Film Festival 2022.

METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?

PINNA: We travel together in ritual. The audience should expect nothing. Come with an open heart and a curious mind. We set out on our Descent Tour with limited East Coast dates starting in Providence, RI on Thurs Oct 20. Guaranteed enlightenment in one evening.

METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?

PINNA: Traveling the globe creating and playing our music to massive sold out audiences around the world, happy, healthy and enjoying every minute of our lives.