Ithaca's Sam Chetan-Welsh on the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal
WORDS BY NEIL PARMAR
@NEILPUMPKINS86
Artwork by Ami Patel
Neil Parmar interviews Sam Chetan-Welsh, a guitarist and a founding member of British metalcore band Ithaca, about how his Indian heritage has informed his music and the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion in metal. This interview is part of WEIRDO’s ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ series.
Ithaca has been on my radar as a band to explore since after being impressed by the glowing reviews of the London-based metalcore quintet’s latest album, 'They Fear Us'. The band is fronted by the dynamic British-Algerian vocalist Djamila Boden Azzouz and bringing one half of Ithaca’s dual guitar attack is Sam Chetan-Welsh who is British-Indian. I hadn’t yet listened to the album – down my own admitted lack of proactivity – when the opportunity to see Ithaca live arose when I discovered they were scheduled to perform at the 2000 Trees festival in 2023. They were scheduled on the main stage at 1pm on the Thursday. Fortunately securing a spot at the barrier, an unexpected turn materialised when a powerful sound echoed through the PA system. Contrary to the typical crowd-rousing metal anthems, or something ironically opposite to metal, the sound was a Hindu mantra, a “Ganga Aarti”, specifically one used to invoke the Mother Goddess.
As the mantra faded, Ithaca took the stage, with Sam sporting a chandlo on his forehead – more commonly recognised as a bindi – a symbolic marker for the practice of Hinduism. This fusion of chandlos, mantras, metalcore riffs, and screaming vocals in a field in Cheltenham made for a somewhat unconventional blend. There was a poignant break during their set where Sam addressed the crowd, emphasising the growing beauty of diversity in alternative music while acknowledging the ongoing need for further progress. As someone with a Hindu upbringing who shares a passion for alternative music, including metal, this unexpected convergence intrigued me.
Despite being a visually rich band, their performance was marked by a conviction that overshadowed their aesthetics; five individuals on stage, playing songs crafted from their pain, but fueled by a passion that propelled them to where they stand; unapologetically breaking the rules.
“There are so many strong Indian women in my family who I believe have been instrumental in shaping who I am today”
I spoke with Sam on our podcast, We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji, in October 2023. He shared with me a personal journey that led him to spend time in India following his mum's passing. During his stay, he found solace in the mantra that opens Ithaca's set, "Wearing a chandlo on stage and playing this mantra before our set - those things, in their own ways, are a nod to my heritage." Reflecting on the powerful women in his life, Sam remarked, "I come from a strong lineage of Indian women who've played pivotal roles in raising me, from my mum to my grandma and beyond. There are so many strong Indian women in my family who I believe have been instrumental in shaping who I am today".
Throughout the 2000 Trees weekend, Ithaca were accompanied by a refreshing wave of newer bands that showcased diversity with women and people of colour: The St. Pierre Snake Invasion, Zulu, Bob Vylan, SUDS, Dream State, and many others also left a notable impact. Yet, as we revelled in the present, the conversation naturally turned toward the future of metal, especially considering the ageing icons like Metallica entering their 60s and the inevitable question of what comes next when bands like Slipknot decide to call it quits. The sustainability of festivals like Download, historically reliant on heavyweights like Iron Maiden to drive weekend ticket sales, also looms uncertain.
"It's not merely a matter of census data. In rock and metal, this is a niche genre that is incredibly delicate," Sam suggests, as the need for diverse voices isn't merely a call for representation; rather, it's a proactive measure, crucial for ensuring the longevity of the genre and that embracing diversity is not just a trend but also an essential strategy for safeguarding the vibrancy and resilience of rock and metal music.
“The tide is turning away from the idea that if you're a metal band, you have to write in a particular way”
Diversity in the context of music doesn't end at gender, sexual orientation and race. The closing track, 'Hold, Be Held,' from Ithaca's album 'They Fear Us,' defies genre conventions. When I asked whether Sam would categorise it as a rock song, he concurred that it transcends such labels, leaning more towards a pop/R’n’B sound. “The tide is turning away from the idea that if you're a metal band, you have to write in a particular way – Zoomers don’t care about that. As long as you're standing in something authentic, you can do what you like.”
Loyalty to a single genre is evolving and festivals like Outbreak Festival are responding accordingly. The 2023 lineup showcased a diverse mix of hardcore punk, metal, and hip-hop, featuring headliners Denzel Curry, Death Grips, and Converge. "Fundamentally, it's about taking risks. Book hip-hop. I want to see Tyler the Creator on a Download lineup," Sam asserts, and highlighted to me the similarities between these genres in a live setting, despite their initial contrasts, “The hip hop fans are the ones who are going nuts in the crowds these days. It's very telling for me.”
Sam attributes his open-minded and eclectic approach to music to his dad. Prior to delving into the metal bands that would significantly shape his guitar playing, like Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sam's musical journey included exposure to classic rock acts such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. However, his dad's musical influence extended beyond rock; Lauryn Hill, Django Reinhardt, and various classical music were all apparent in his formative years. Proudly highlighting the eclecticism amongst the other members of Ithaca's musical, Sam shared that the band's appreciation for 90s R’n’B ballads might have played a role in crafting tracks like 'Hold, Be Held'.
All this talk about 90s R’n’B power ballads might have you questioning Ithaca’s ‘metalness’. Please listen to ‘Cremation Party’ from They Fear Us to dispel any doubts about that (It’s a bone-breakingly heavy number). However, Sam and Ithaca’s message is not about how metal a band is or can be, but instead the importance of inclusion, progression and a future where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. I never would've thought chandlos and metal would ever be uttered in the same sentence - I was proven wrong, in the best of ways.
Listen to Neil’s interview with Sam Chetan-Welsh of Ithaca on our podcast We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji.
About Neil
Neil Parmar is a West Midlands-based media producer and has produced a variety of short films, documentaries and podcasts that have explored alternative culture. He is a writer for WEIRDO’s website and editor of ‘We Are The Weirdos, Aunty-ji’ podcast. In his downtime, Neil enjoys photography, live music and being a cinephile.