Meet Sebastian Konnackel | Drummer and Recording, Mixing & Post Production Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sebastian Konnackel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sebastian, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has been and continues to the singular driving force behind everything I have achieved or yet to achieve. Big or small, everything in life comes with a risk. My motto in life is to live with as few regrets as possible, and risk taking directly ties into this. While taking a risk might be scary, regretting not taking one is scarier to me. I took a huge risk by leaving a possible comfortable career in electronics back in India and moving here to pursue a career as a musician and audio engineer and I have not regretted it even once. Be cautious and take risks folks, you can never know what opportunities will present themselves to you.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am primarily a Drummer and then an Audio Engineer. Drumming was something that came naturally to me, hence I was able to acquire the skills that I have now without having any formal training. I believe that is what sets me apart from most of my peers, as it definitely helps me think outside the box when it comes to writing music.

Getting to this point and being able to do this professionally did not come easy for me. I left behind a career in Electronics and Communication for which I had obtained a Bachelor’s degree, to move to the United States and start from scratch professionally. I had to be creative and force myself to progress faster than my peers who had already been doing this since they were a child.

My struggle has taught me that it’s never too late to start afresh. Your dreams, no matter how small or big they are, are worth pursuing. Do so with caution, and good things will come to you!

Once destined to spend my life as an Electronics Engineer, I am now happily accepting sessions for drumming and audio engineering. Go chase your dreams!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I’d take them on a little walking tour of Hollywood Boulevard, to see the celebrity stars along the Walk of Fame. Then perhaps watch a movie at the Chinese theatre.

The Japanese Village in Little Tokyo would probably be my next destination for an afternoon of Ramen and sake. A friend of mine had done the same for me on my birthday the first year that I was here and I had the best time, so I’m eager to share that with someones else.

I’m also definitely taking them for a trek along the Hollywood Hills to see the Hollywood sign and visit Griffith observatory, the view from up there is amazing.

Korean barbeque in Koreatown is another experience that must be had.

Provided everyone is vaccinated and social distancing measures are in place, I’d love to take them for a few live shows as well, particularly at the Baked Potato, and legendary venues along the Sunset Strip such as the Whisky A Go Go, the Rainbow Room and the Viper Room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, despite not really understanding my dream or the music that I enjoy and play, still supported me and helped me fully realize my dreams. I am also hugely indebted to the teaching faculty and staff at Musician’s Institute, Los Angeles. Going to that school helped me understand what I really wanted to do with my life and the support they gave me each step of the way is invaluable to me.

My band, Kitsune aka Kala, just dropped a playthrough video last month. https://youtu.be/3Qm7bkUxqnw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seb_varg/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-varghese-831413b1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svargofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN4AM6mR-XLlQ6Yzh5SdNyw

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11020922/ https://sessionslive.com/SVARG1817
Kala New Single “Take It Away” : https://ffm.to/takeitaway

Image Credits
Samantha Madnick Jessica Christian Mack Goth