RELEASING his debut album, Monumental in 2003, Hiresh Haridas quickly pivoted himself from the life of a sound engineer into one that would thrust him into the entertainment limelight as Reshmonu, a bona fide singer who would go on to cement his position in the local music industry and abroad.
Speaking to theSun, the singer, who now goes by the name Resh after rebranding himself in 2015, spoke candidly about himself.
“Well, I’ve always believed that change is the only constant! The timing was right. It was a collective decision between Universal Music and myself.
“At that point, it had been over 20 years that I had long hair – 12 of which were in cornrows and braids. So, yeah, I was pretty excited about the new look,” he said of the rebranding, which saw him departing from the image and aesthetic he largely stuck to from the start of his career.
The rebranding was also cited as a coming-of-age for him, especially in the context of personal growth in relation to others.
“I have definitely learnt to be more patient. I have always been in seventh gear, with the expectation that everyone around me should keep up, but not everybody works at the same pace.
“So, I have learnt to meet them in the middle. From a health aspect, I have also learnt that the sky’s the limit, and just like my music, if you put your heart and soul
into it, it is pretty rewarding!” said Resh.
With the rebranding came the EP (mini album) Who Am I, which was released several months later, with the single Half The Man, unsurprisingly shooting up to first spot on Hitz FM’s Malaysian English Top 10 (MET10).
Resh then revealed that there were plans for something new, which would have seen him travelling.
However, they had to be shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on cross-border travel.
“Now, I’m in the midst of re-strategising my plans. In short, YES to new material!” he said.
Speaking more on the effects of the pandemic, Resh pointed out that it has been tough but stressed that he is someone who grew up in a value system that emphasised the importance of looking for the positives in negativity.
“Yes, I’m coping and blessed to have a roof over a wonderful supportive family, and children who constantly keep me on my feet. (And yes), of course it has affected our industry,” Resh said.
“As the music industry shifts to the digital landscape, new doors have started opening and the music business as you know it will evolve and continue to find a way to survive! See, my friend, rhythm exists everywhere, and music will never cease to exist!”
As Resh adapts to the current predicament, the singer, songwriter, producer, director and entrepreneur seems to be also completely invested in one particular stress relief avenue – strength training, or for the layman, exercise.
“I’ve been blessed with a high metabolic rate! So, I had to look for an avenue to release this energy! Nowadays, it’s a combination
of weightlifting, metabolic conditioning, gymnastics and HIIT workouts.
“Yes, I’m passionate about it, so much so, that I have made it a part of my lifestyle. #HEALTHISWEALTH.”
As for his future plans, Resh recommends following him on social media for news, as he is not quite ready to disclose what he has up his sleeve.
