Buddahead is a extraordinary band with an extraordinary story. As a child, frontman Raman Kia, fled a war torn Tehran during a violent Islamic Revolution for London with his father. While in the U.K, Raman attend a British military school. As Raman grew up he began to express the feelings he had through music, that he couldn’t express in any other way and soon after a major London music publisher began to gain interests in Raman’s music. He then decided to move to the United States, where he signed a deal with Interscope Records. Pressure mounted from the label to mold Raman’s sound into a certain genre instead of exploring the possibility of developing his sound into something more then just the “next big thing.” Raman parted ways with Interscope to pursue a independent career, to have the control and flexibility of growing as an artist. 2004 saw Buddahead’s debut album, Crossing The Invisible Line and on June 17th 2008, Buddahead released Ashes.

Please give me an update on the happenings of Buddahead?

Raman - We have just finished our new album Ashes and we have only just released it. This period is really the discovery period were we sit back a little and allow the record to be discovered and digested. We are finding the radio stations that are playing our music or the bloggers who are writing about Ashes are doing so because they organically discovered the record and decided they like it.

What are your upcoming tour plans?

Raman - We just played an awesome show at Pianos in NYC for our album release. This fall should see Buddahead spending more time playing live.

Could you give some insight on your musical background, how you got your start, why you decided to create music, what you hope your future musical career looks like and any goals you hope to achieve?

Raman - I grew up in a musically silent house where the only music poured through a small AM radio tuned into BBC World Service. However, there was an old piano that I just started to play one day. No one told me to play, it just made sense to me. I was a little older when I first heard a record. It was when my dad was sending me to the UK and he armed me with The Beatles, Cat Stevens, and Simon & Garfunkel. Later Zeppelin, Queen, and Guns and Roses that took over as soundtracks to my life. Discovering new music and making new music is as good as life gets - what else can I hope for?

Who are the band members and how did they come to be apart of the band?

Raman - I was touring around the US and it was the second or third time in one month that I was going through Philly and I was building a pretty good reputation as an upcoming singer-songwriter. A local manager who had seen me play and knew I was looking to form a band told Toby Evers, a local bass player, to come and check me out. That is how Toby and I met, and Toby knew Simon from college. That is how we began touring as a band.

It’s stated that your latest album, Ashes is “At it’s heart the chronicle of a musical, geographical and emotional journey.” Could you give me some details on what this means?

Raman - My life has been a journey in which my family and I have been often forced to react to severe life circumstances beyond our control - revolutions, wars, deaths. Ashes is my attempt to chronicle the depletion and the abandonment that have arisen as part of this journey which has spanned generations and continents.

Is there a main concept or theme that surrounds your latest album Ashes?

Raman - I am not really sure but I think this lyric from “Sour Grapes” is all encompassing:

I’ve got a good mind to throw in the towel.
I’ve been rolling with the punches for so long.
Now life is a heartache in the cubicles,
The ashes of a dream I once had.
So, good night;
Here is wishing you everything you dream about.
Good night.

What was life like for your growing up, taking into account that you and your father fled a war torn Islamic Revolution in Tehran?

Raman - My life, like any other, is abounded with ghosts and other memories. By now, some have dissipated with time, others I have extinguished, and a few remain malignant, like vinegar in my heart. If I had to some up my childhood years I would say they were strange and beautiful at the same time.

Was life better off or worse off for you when you moved to the U.K?

Raman - I prefer not to look at it like that. Every stage of life is different. There is luck and happiness in every moment.

Out of all the places you’ve lived which place has been the best?

Raman - There is something truly magical about living in New York City.

Is it assumed that your music reflects some of the experience’s you had growing up?

Raman - I think so but I would like to ask that question of you. As a listener do you feel my music reflects the experiences you know I have had growing up?

Are you the primary song writer, if so what do you primarily write your songs about?

Raman - I lay the seeds by focusing on emotions or issues that I have very sincere and honest feelings or thoughts about.

Do you ever find your self under pressure from your label to create a certain sound?

Raman - We have been in that position before but we no longer accept that as an option. It is just not in our best interest to let that happen.

Do you have a favorite city, state or country in-which you like playing show’s the most?

Raman - New York City is always great because it is our home, but you know Memphis is always ridiculously fun, Boston is great too.

How was the recording process for Ashes?

Raman - Write the songs, and play them live for a while, then turn up to a studio, stand around each other and lay down the tracks. We kept it as simple and true as possible.

What is one memorable experience from your career that just sticks in your mind that you can share with us?

Raman - There are so many: Standing on Clive Davis’ ex-conference room table and playing to LA Reid, opening up for James Taylor, Jim Kletner playing drums on one of our songs, touring Japan; I could go on…it has been beautiful.

What is some advice you can give to someone who would like to take a shot at a music career?

Raman - Don’t.

Touring defiantly has it’s up’s and down’s. What are some ways that you deal with the downsides of touring?

Raman - Humans are creatures of habit - keep your sanity by creating familiarity and habit in your life on the road. Control your sanity. Don’t lose yourself in the illusory reality of touring life. Keep your life at home intimately close and connected.

Currently, who/what are some songs, albums, bands, or artists you are listening to and really enjoying?

Raman - The best of Radiohead is a spectacular document of an incredible band and their music. It is an absolute must have.

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