Sithu Aye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sithu Aye
|
|
|---|---|
Sithu Aye in 2016
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sithu Maung Maung Aye |
| Born | 26 June 1990 |
| Genres | Instrumental, progressive metal, djent |
| Instruments | Guitar, bass |
| Years active | 2011-present |
| Associated acts | Periphery, Intervals, Plini |
Sithu Aye (born June 26, 1990) is a talented guitarist, musician, and producer. He is from Scotland and has Burmese heritage. Sithu started his music journey in 2011. His first album was called Cassini. He recorded and released it all by himself. Since then, he has created many full-length albums and shorter music collections called EPs. His album 10 Years: Remixes and Reimaginings came out in November 2021. Sithu has also toured in different countries. He has played in Japan, the UK, Europe, the US, and Canada.
Contents
Sithu's Music Journey
Sithu Aye began playing the guitar when he was 12 years old. He recorded his first album, Cassini, using special computer software. He even used his laptop in his university dorm room! While studying Physics at the University of St Andrews, he continued to make music. Albums like Invent the Universe and Isles EP were created during this time.
Early Releases and Graduation
Sithu wrote and produced his EP 26 very quickly. He finished it in just four days! This EP was released on June 26, 2013. This date was special because it was his 23rd birthday. It was also the day he earned his Master's degree in Physics.
After graduating, Sithu worked as a consultant for a company called Deloitte. He continued to make music during this time. He released Pulse, Senpai EP, and Set Course for Andromeda. When Set Course for Andromeda came out, he announced big news. He decided to quit his job and become a full-time musician! Just one month later, he went on a tour in Japan.
Touring and New Albums
In 2018, Sithu took a break from touring. He wanted to focus on writing his album Homebound. This album was released in December of that year. His fans who supported him on Patreon got to hear it earlier.
In 2019, Sithu led his own tour in the UK. This tour supported his Homebound album. He also toured Europe, playing alongside the band Intervals. He started working on a new part of his Senpai EP series. He said it would be a full album this time. It would also come with a digital storybook, like a visual novel.
On December 12, 2020, Sithu Aye released a new song. It was called Time to Decide! He shared it on his YouTube channel. He also announced his new album, Senpai III. It was released on January 8, 2021. This album has 10 songs and tells a continuous story. Each song goes with a chapter in the digital storybook.
Recent Projects and New Sounds
During 2021, Sithu Aye shared that he was working on a new EP. He wanted to try a different music style. Instead of his usual progressive metal, he aimed for Jazz fusion and Funk music. On November 29, 2021, he released 10 Years: Remixes and Reimaginings. This album has 10 songs from his past releases. He rerecorded and changed them into new styles.
On October 15, 2022, he released Re:Invent the Universe (10th Anniversary Remaster). This was a new version of his 2012 album, Invent the Universe. In 2023, he gave his Patreon supporters a preview of a new song. However, in 2024, he decided to stop working on the Jazz fusion EP. Instead, he chose to make a different EP. This new EP would feature his well-known progressive metal sound.
On March 24, 2024, Sithu Aye announced his new EP called Kindness. He also showed its cover art and release date. He released the first song from it, Run it Down. The second song, Zero Sum Groove, came out on April 21, 2024. It also had a music video made by his brother, Kaung-Myat Aye. The Kindness EP was released on May 11, 2024. This EP is special because Sithu used real amplifiers to record the guitars. Before this, he mostly used computer programs.
Music Style
Sithu Aye's music is mostly instrumental progressive metal. This means it doesn't usually have singing. His lead guitar playing is a big focus. He is inspired by artists from the early djent music scene. Bands like Periphery and Animals as Leaders influenced him. Sithu describes his own style as 'happy progressive metal'. His Senpai EPs also have influences from Japanese anime music and art.
Musical Instruments and Gear
Sithu is a sponsored artist for several music companies. He uses guitars from Mayones Guitars & Basses, including their Regius, Setius, and Duvell models. He also uses D'Addario NYXL strings and Dunlop guitar picks. He is known for using a Fractal Axe FX II, which is a device that creates different guitar sounds.
Since 2021, he has owned a Fender Blues Junior guitar amplifier. He used this amplifier with a Shure SM57 microphone to record the guitar parts on his 2024 EP Kindness.
Discography
Albums
- Cassini (2011)
- Invent the Universe (2012)
- Set Course for Andromeda (2016)
- Homebound (2018)
- Senpai III (2021)
- 10 Years: Remixes and Reimagines (2021)
EPs
- Isles EP (2012)
- 26 (2013)
- I (2013) (split with Plini)
- Pulse (2014)
- Senpai EP「先輩EP」(2015)
- Senpai EP II: The Noticing (2017)
- Kindness EP (2024)
Singles
- "Oceania" (2014)
- "Senpai, Please Notice Me!" (2015)
- "Set Course for Andromeda!!!" (2016)
- "Spiral" (2016)
- "Transient Transistors" (2016)
- "And Here's to Many More" (2016)
- "Primary Ignition" (2018)
- "Runaway Reaction" (2018)
- "Time to Decide!" (2020)
- "Run it Down" (2024)
- "Zero Sum Groove" (2024)
Awards
Sithu was nominated for a Scottish Alternative Music Award. This was in the best metal category on September 20, 2017.
