We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rohit H. Sivaram. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rohit H. below.
Rohit H., we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence and self-esteem stem from a lot of change and self-acceptance. The reason for this is that growing up, with my constantly changing living situation, I had to adapt to many different circumstances and mature quickly. To be honest, I was in India not long ago, and I was finally close to having my group of friends, my schedule, and my routine. This would have been around middle school when everything that had been stable for me suddenly changed. My mom and little brother stayed in India, while my dad and I moved to the U.S., from Hyderabad to Kansas, of all places. I remember experiencing an identity crisis—feeling lost—because everyone I used to hang out with, everything I used to do, whether it was playing in bands or just going out, all completely disintegrated. It felt like a huge time warp.
However, what really kept me grounded during this upheaval was constantly playing guitar. It became a major part of my identity and helped build my self-esteem and confidence during those early years. Despite the hardships, struggles, social issues, and culture shock I was facing, guitar gave me a sense of purpose. It gave me something to focus on and improve, which helped me push through. Now, I’m so grateful for it, to the point where it’s all I think about, and I can’t believe I even get to do it.
Over time, especially during my years at Berklee, working with PRS, and being in my band, all of these experiences gave me a sense of purpose. As I defined my goals early on, I made sure to pursue them no matter who doubted me, how I felt, or what the results seemed to be. I just kept pushing, over and over again. The reality is that nothing ever stays the same; the only constant is change. Once I accepted that, and truly believed in what I was doing, my sense of confidence and self-esteem grew.
Of course, I still have bad days. There are times when I feel humbled or even low. But I always bounce back, because I truly believe the universe balances things out. The only way I’ve been able to maintain my confidence and mindset is by believing in myself and in the change that will bring something good. I know everything happens for a reason, and that’s what helps me keep going—I’ve been able to define what I want and stay committed to it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’d say my current personal brand is focused on three main avenues. The first priority is my band, Enfierce, which I formed while I was in Boston with fellow alumni and fantastic guitarist Francisco Moncayo. Enfierce presents itself as an alternative progressive rock band with a mix of microtonal influences.
The second avenue is my own personal collaborations and feature records. These projects are a way of giving back to the artists who have influenced me and kept me passionate about pursuing this incredible art form we call music.
The third, and most recent avenue, is my exploration of Indian Carnatic music on the guitar, inspired by the legendary guitarist Prasanna.
With these three projects, I’ve released Unearth Prophecy, my first solo feature album, which includes collaborations with some amazing artists. The second is Enfierce’s debut album, which came out in October of last year. Lastly, I’ve been diving into solo performances, mixing covers, instrumentals, and solo arrangements of songs that I absolutely love.
At the moment, with all of these projects, I’m gearing up to perform and tour, so keep an eye out for either my band Enfierce or my name.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I can’t speak for everyone, but from my personal perspective, there are two main qualities or areas of knowledge that have been crucial to my growth. The first is discipline. The reason I’m able to perform, complete shows, give talks, or fulfill any task or promise is my constant drive and self-discipline. I have certain expectations for myself, and I hold myself to them. When collaborating with others, this discipline extends to those relationships too. The truth is, nothing gets done without the ability to stay focused for a set period of time. Distractions are easy to fall into, and while breaks are necessary for mental health, sometimes you just have to push through. For me, discipline meant practicing guitar, learning new techniques, diving into music theory, composing, or revisiting material I already knew. It also involved actively or passively listening to new albums and internalizing music, which helped me appreciate the art form and its integrity. Recently, I’ve also focused on working out and taking better care of my health, and I’ve found that it all ties together. In the end, it’s all about staying disciplined to achieve my goals.
The second area I’d highlight is music production. In today’s creative landscape, it’s crucial for musicians to be able to present themselves in the best possible way, and that requires understanding the basics of production. Having this foundation has allowed me to bring my projects to life, as well as collaborate more effectively with engineers, producers, and other artists. I’ve been able to communicate my creative vision clearly, problem-solve on a technical level, and appreciate the different strategies and techniques that others bring to the table. Without this understanding, I wouldn’t be able to get the results I’m after or help others realize their own creative goals.
Lastly, I’d say communication and networking are key. Without these social skills, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Our industry is not just about playing music or perfecting technical skills—it’s also about being in the right space, surrounded by the right people, and having the ability to build connections. Success often comes from collaborating with like-minded individuals who share similar goals, and supporting others on their journey too. I’ve been able to move forward and grow thanks to the connections I’ve made and the opportunities that have come from them. It also keeps me motivated and competitive, driving me to push my own projects forward.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
One of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing—and actively working to resolve—is gaining more exposure through live performances. I can say with certainty that during my four years at music school, I made a lot of friends, built valuable connections, and learned a great deal. I stayed close to many of those people during my time at Berklee. Going forward, being endorsed by the amazing company PRS Guitars has also greatly benefited my career and my approach to many things. However, one of the most challenging aspects has been balancing coursework, responsibilities, and building my brand, all while trying to maintain focus on my personal goals.
Now that I’ve graduated and entered the industry, I’m focusing more on my music, performing more, and getting my work out there. I’m particularly focused on pushing my band’s music and making the best of every situation. I truly believe that performing is the best way to connect with people, and I’ve had several mentors and respected individuals tell me that it’s one of the most powerful ways to move forward in this career. Right now, I’m working through the challenge of not having as many performance opportunities, but I’m also making a conscious effort to collaborate more, get my name out there, and carve out the artist path I want to follow.
I understand that I’m only 23 and just out of school, and I’m okay with that. But that doesn’t mean I’m shying away from the fact that performing is something vital that’s currently missing in my journey. It’s what my space thrives on, and it’s in my blood. I can’t wait to perform more and am excited for the opportunities that will come my way because of my drive and determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Rohitrocks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rohit_h._sivaram?igsh=ZWU2YmxxbThqZWEw&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-sivaram-4b5133191?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Rohit_H_Sivaram?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=57862873-5633-42ec-bc21-512846b5fa3e
Image Credits
Aditya Prabhakar – @Clicksbyadi2
Pragyan Nath
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