The Opener: You could rave to the sound chalk makes

The Opener is The FADER’s short-form profile series of casual conversations with exciting new artists.

the sound chalk makes is not so quiet as his artist moniker might imply. The 20-year-old artist’s music offers a shimmering vision of alternative electronica, and while these songs can be softer and more delicate, Kabir Parekh isn’t afraid to turn up the bass and make a club banger. Born in San Francisco and raised in Mumbai, he now attends college for music in London, and has been building serious momentum since the December release of “Manmade Manmaid.”

the sound chalk makes chose his artist name when he first signed up for DistroKid at 14-years-old. He’d wanted to go by “Hiareth,” a Welsh word for “nostalgia that never happened,” and his second choice for a name carries a similar hazy love for bygone days, bringing to mind childhood memories of scribbling your entire imagination onto the pavement. Parekh’s music is kind of like that too, a smudgy, colorful outpouring of the international, internet-inspired ideas inside the burgeoning musician’s mind. I’m especially fond of the throbbing “Ladies with an attitude” and the hard-knocking “Marijuana (2die4),” which feel like they must ring off especially hard at the MumbaiAnderground club nights Parekh runs with his friends in India.

The FADER caught up with the sound chalk makes over email to chat about the music that he loves, the clothes and accessories he wears every day, and why he doesn’t believe you can misunderstand a lyric.

Describe your perfect afternoon.
Slightly tired from an active morning, getting a coffee while the sun’s out and waking up for the second time in a day.

What’s something you’re looking forward to?
The World Cup, new season of Love on the Spectrum, the end of spring in London, meeting my high school friends this summer. A lot.

Describe the best concert you’ve attended.
When I was 10 I saw the Manganiyar Classroom at the NCPA in Mumbai. I remember wearing a Jordan dri-fit and flip-flops. It was a bunch of kids around my age who were so amazingly talented and it made me fall in love with Rajasthani folk music.

Tell us about the first album you bought and why.
Sleeper by Kan. They’re this short-lived Celtic instrumental band that I saw live at Bandra Fort when I was 9 and they were selling CDs at the show. I used to listen to it all the time in my mom’s car and forgot about it but it got onto streaming a couple years ago and I’ve been listening to it a lot. Maybe the first instrumental songs I ever listened to and enjoyed.

What was the last movie you watched?
I saw Black Swan for the first time with my girlfriend who has now seen it 7 times. I really liked it until the end. I found it cool that you can’t explicitly tell what year the movie’s set in until a certain point. Not much emphasis on cellphones or anything - so many scenes in the studio or in houses feel detached from time or history.

When you’re not making music, how do you spend your free time?
If it’s a nice day out I like running. If I’m inside I’m on Wikipedia or Youtube. I also like Instagram reels. Sometimes I’m just writing stuff, not really music but just things I see.

What’s a song you’d want to remix and why?
"Know Now" by Alex G. My friend showed it to me a couple months ago and I fell in love with the guitar. It’s exactly the type of progression I would make on a synth, just on a guitar.

What’s the best thing you’ve bought for $100 or less?
Honestly this pair of boots I got off Vinted for £5. I’ve worn them every day since. They’re not too special but they just look good with everything and are super comfy - if you see me I’m probably wearing them.

Tell us about your favorite accessory.
I never step out without my dogtags. My friend who runs MumbaiAndarground with me had them made for all of us as mementos of our party last summer. My favorite souvenir of my favorite people. And they look sick.

Best advice you’ve gotten?
If you think you’ve failed so far, why are you still scared of failure?

Worst advice you’ve gotten?
The best thing to do is the hardest thing.

Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
I don’t think you can misunderstand a lyric. What you understand is exactly what it means - your perception is your reality.

What’s the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
Money is time so it flies when you're having fun.

What’s the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
Come to my party that I throw with my friends.

What’s a motto you think everyone should live by?
You have to know when the party’s over.