Fun Friday: Meet Sridhar Ravichandran
Sridhar joined the team a few months ago but today we finally want to properly introduce you to him! Listen to his audio message below and learn more about him below!
Hi there! Thanks for the interview- can you say “hi” to everyone in your native language?
Hey Natalie – sure, Namaskaram! Vanakkam! (That actually means ‘welcome’ but there isn’t a distinct hello in my native language). Guess we’re more friendly that way.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak Tamil, Hindi and maybe a little English, and can understand a few more native languages. Hope to add German to my arsenal soon. Ich verstehe nur ein bisschen Deutsch.
How did you get introduced to SoundCloud?
On a cold, grim wintry moonlit night many many years back, I was looking for a platform to host my music on, a platform that didn’t suck. Clicking on a search result on the dreary display on my desktop computer dragged me onto some page that had SoundCloud written on it.
It was love at first sight.
What is your role at SoundCloud?
I’m a Product Marketer (official: Associate Product Marketing Manager), which effectively means that I work closely with technology, product & marketing teams to ensure that millions and millions more get introduced to and love SoundCloud, and that we’re building stuff that users LOVE. Marrying gut-instinct and your understanding of the web, psychology, usability design and validating it with real behavioural insights from the millions using your platform is one of the most rewarding experiences ever.
What is your favorite sound?
The sound of the beach – waves, wind, surf. Nuff’ said :)
What sound do you hate?
The sound of fingers tapping softly on a keyboard can be most pleasant, but the sound of someone angrily bashing on a keyboard drives me nuts.
If you had 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be?
Wah-wah. Wakachaka. Boom.
How is it working at such an International and diverse office?
There’s a vibe in the air that’s hard to describe. Everyone’s senses are attuned to this ‘vibe’, and it’s fascinating to hear such varied, diverse stories from all the folks here, who are all passionate about something or the other, yet find commmon ground within sound and music. Did I mention the people are super smart? Inspiring.
When you are not working, what do you love to do? What are you passionate about?
Writing and making music is a big part of my offline routine and I produce bands/artists when I can. I like to collaborate musically, and it’s good to see so many quality musicians in town! And then, travels, new people, new places, new environments. I can never get bored of that stuff (who does?)
Did you relocate? How was that?
It was initially overwhelming moving halfway across the world, but thanks to the lovely people at SoundCloud (and a special shoutout to Sylvia and Erik), life was much easier during and after the move. The only difficult part was coping with minus 18 degrees celsius in January, which is about 50 degrees colder than what it is in Singapore. Insane.
However, can’t wait for spring and eventually summer – people are already getting out on the streets and it’s only early spring ;)
Why should someone apply to SoundCloud?
A culture of innovation + music/sound lovers + amazing, smart people + weekly beer o’ clocks, parties + shhh…. (I could tell you but I’d have to hire you.)
What do you like most about Berlin?
Berlin is a city of unique experiences and just when I’d think I’ve seen it all, she’d hit me with something absolutely new. (The only thing I miss about this place is the beach)
What are your favorite sounds on the cloud?
I’m predisposed to choose music and something I’m really digging atm is this acoustic version of a Porcupine Tree classic by one of my favourite musicians, Steven Wilson. It’s a song about trains – how amazing?
Here’s a breathtaking, live version of an ambient track by Devin Townsend. Talent is him.
Another –> Foo Fighters! They’ve been in the news a lot, with the grammy etc. but I think this album rocks real hard and deserves the recognition.
Cool! Thanks for the great interview! Where can we find you on the web?
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sridharsmusic
SoundCloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/sridharsmusic
Blog: http://sridharsmusic.com/blog