Event/Interview: Dualist Inquiry plays at Bacchus tonight!

Dualist Inquiry's latest EP is a breath of fresh air. Floating between a variety of genres, feel-good funk, lush atmospherics, a hint of disco... there's a lot of substance to it. It isn't formulaic or predictable which has become a trend with producers from India nowadays. More to the point it's dance floor friendly, even though the BPMs aren't obscenely high... It's been on repeat and would recommend you give it a twirl. Been listening to a lot of Aeroplane and Magician mixes, and the tunes from the EP definitely seem like something I would find on there. Quirky, different but still got that hook to keep it infectious.

I first heard about him when he was rated at the Submerge DJ Championship, his set was met with stellar reviews.  And judging by the video from Blue Frog he rocked it. Tonight, he plays at Bacchus and I'm really looking forward to it!

Thought it'd be cool to have a chat with him about his music and his background, since what he's doing is unique in the spectrum of Indian EDM... do have a read!

In an exclusive interview with YHIHF Sahej Bakshi (Dualist Inquiry) talks about his time studying in California, his views on the current state of EDM in India, the latest EP Dualism,  the plethora of equipment he uses to get his sound right and much more!

Who is Dualist Inquiry and what makes him tick?
Rather than who, I would ask what is Dualist Inquiry? It is one person's vehicle for creative expression, born out of a strong personal need for such a thing. It's an open-ended, intensely personal, never ending quest/mission/inquiry into the subjective nature of being alive, a large part of which is being stimulated by sounds, sights and experiences in general. Dualist Inquiry started as my way of chronicling my life experiences when I was just writing music in my dorm room in college. But now its started shaping my life in return, so it’s quite interesting to think about the change of perspective.

What makes me tick? The fact that my Inquiry is far from complete.

In a nutshell, describe the kind of sound you embody as a producer and DJ?
As a producer, I'd like to think of my music as emotionally unambiguous, that is to say that each song tries to nail a particular mood with certainty. I like my songs to be emotive, and cerebral, in the sense that they spur thoughts, emotions and memories. I also need my songs to have a friendly, groovy, percussive beat to them, and a certain degree of the repetitive electronic element.

I never think about genre labels while making music, but often end up looking back at something I made and being like "that's interesting, there's some funk/electro/whatever in there."

Who are your inspirations inside and outside of electronic music?
Inside, the range is really wide. To name a few (no particular order): Propellerheads, Justice, Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Ratatat, Moby, Digitalism. On the other hand, I've been a rock fan for far longer than my five years with electronic. My all time favorite band is Rage Against the Machine, and Tom Morello’s Telecaster guitar tone is a major inspiration to my idea of the perfect sound. Other bands I love include Soulwax, Explosions in the Sky, Arctic Monkeys, Death Cab for Cutie and Coldplay.

What kind of equipment do you use during your live sets?
My main guitar is a Fender Telecaster 1952 Reissue. I use the Novation Launchpad to launch clips in Ableton Live, and have one (sometimes two) Korg NanoKontrol MIDI controllers. One of my favorite pieces of gear is the Native Instruments Maschine. Its crazy how much it’s changed my set since it arrived, now it’s like my second instrument, after the guitar. I’ve been loading samples (from acapellas to videogame sounds) onto the Maschine and just letting loose on the pads during live gigs. I also have a separate chain for my guitar effects, for which I recently just bought a Line6 PocketPOD, which is a really small processor I plan to use just for Amp Modeling. I also use the EBow a lot, which gives me infinite sustain on the guitar for wailing, violin noises. And there are other pieces of gear or instruments (like a Glockenspiel) that I take out to gigs sometimes to make things interesting.

What kind of equipment do you use in the studio?
I have a Mac Pro running Logic 9. My whole studio functions around Logic. I’ve been a dedicated Logic user for 5 years now, because I love its interface, workflow, stability and plugins. I also use Genelec 8030a monitors, MOTU Ultralite soundcard, Access Virus Ti Desktop, Novation RemoteZero SL, M-Audio MIDI Keyboard, Boss GT8 Guitar processor and a few other pieces of gear I use regularly in the studio.

You were a runner-up at the MTV Submerge Ultimate Pro DJ Championship 2010 - what was that experience like?
That was a sweet and crazy experience. I was in Berlin wrapping up Berlin Music Week when I got the news that I made it and had to be in Mumbai in 48 hours for the finals. I’d barely been around in India for 7 months, so this was big news for me, and I dashed back taking 4 flights to Mumbai, barely made it for soundcheck, and in the same dazed, jetlagged state, went ahead and played a 30-minute set with a 5 minute setup time, with huge cameras glaring in my face while I played. It was over before I knew it, and when the results were announced, I remember feeling amazingly excited, tired and numb at the same time.

In retrospect, it was a turning point for me, because I no longer felt like a stranger to the Indian scene, to Blue Frog, and to Mumbai in general.

Tell us about the latest EP "Dualism" - what can new listeners expect from it?
With this EP, I've tried to represent myself as truly and fairly as an artist as I possibly can. There's some chillout, there's some midtempo, there's some party music, and there's some concrete spoken thoughts to chew on. I can't imagine why I should ever have to choose or 'commit' to one genre or tempo-range, which was quite a source of confusion to me for a while. This EP is a result of my arrival at the fact that I can produce everything I want at the same time and release it on the same record, if I think it through correctly. Listeners can expect to hear four tracks that are very closely related to each other, yet very distant in some very obvious ways.

What are your views on the EDM scene in India - the current state and how you'd like to see it evolve?

Currently, the Indian EDM scene in India is at a very special juncture, where people in large numbers are beginning to take electronic and other music very seriously, both in a musical and business sense. I believe that the way it is evolving is quite close to how I’d like to see it evolve in the future. Every few months there's news of a new venue or music festival. European and American festivals are looking to India for acts to put on their lineups. Increasingly, Indian music fans are taking a serious look at Indian bands (which are not playing covers anymore) and finding that they quite like what they see. I also think that music journalists and the media they use are crucial elements in bringing a scene to life, and it nice to see so many websites that have emerged in the last 2-3 years, that are dedicated solely to covering news, reviews and stuff related to Indian bands.

Musically, what was life like in California? What kind of gigs and clubs would you regularly frequent? How often did you find yourself shopping at Amoeba on Sunset?
What I liked best about Los Angeles was the diverse range of experiences it had to offer. So one weekend, we'd be at a club watching the Swedish House Mafia and the next would be at a Psychedelic trance gathering in the middle of a forest, desert or beach. There were raves in stadiums, in warehouses, and even on the streets of downtown LA. There was Coachella Music Festival, which me and my friends went to for 4 consecutive years. Coachella has, in itself, formed some of the most vivid memories I have of enjoying live music in its most exuberant form with 100,000 people in a grassy palm tree-filled field. I remember at one point, I scrolled through my entire iTunes library and couldn't find a living name that I wanted to see, and hadn’t already seen live. It was an insane and inspiring place to form my foundation as a musician.

Amoeba on Sunset was a cool place, but the biggest Guitar Center in the US was just a few doors down from there, and it would always win me over, so I never spent quite as much time in there as I did messing with Guitars and Gear next door.

Can you give some on insight on the music program you completed at USC?
It was a Bachelor of Science in Music Technology, from the Thornton School of Music at USC. It was beyond comprehensive. I took basic courses such as ‘Digital Audio and Recording’, ‘Analog Synthesizer Techniques’, and advanced courses like ‘Acoustics and Speaker Design’ , ’64-track Mixing Techniques’, ‘Digital Effects Signal Processing’ and ‘Analog/Digital Mastering’. Each course was 4 months long, and I had to take a total of about 18 of them to graduate. It was a crazy education and I was quite the studious nerd when it came to these courses because of how badly I wanted to know these things.

Having studied (and perhaps developed a certain taste) in the West, did you find you had to reinvent yourself as a musician once you got back to India?
Yes, I actually did have to reinvent something about the way I lived off inspiration from my surroundings in LA. When I moved back here, I was immediately struck by the lack of a healthy learning environment as a music producer. It was the random, intensely technical producer/gear-head chat that I’d have with a random guy ordering coffee on campus from which I’d learn something new everyday. I felt the community of thousands of talented producers from which to learn shrink down to a handful. But I quickly realized that that’s not a problem in any sense, and is just a matter of exposure, which will create the same environment here in the future.

But in the meantime, I decided not to wait to get inspired and further internalized my creative process. It was a slightly bumpy transition, but has worked out well. I now draw inspiration from my experiences and surroundings without the need for direct ‘musical inspiration’, so to speak.

What was it like playing alongside DJ Shadow at the The Great Escape Festival? Does your usual club sound change when you're playing to bigger festival crowds?
I doubt I can accurately explain the feeling. A few weeks before, I randomly checked onto The Great Escape website to see if I’d come up on the lineup, and there I saw that I’d been slotted to open for Beardyman and DJ Shadow. First I thought the Internet was playing tricks on me, then I got extremely nervous, followed by a realization that this is happening. As for sharing a stage with Shadow, let me just say that I felt glad I'd finished up my act and gotten neatly out of the way before Shadow unleashed what he did that night, with his Shadowsphere (Google it, seriously). I felt so dazzled, so outdone (for lack of a better word), that it was super-inspiring.

Three DJs and three producers who have never let you down?
Ratatat – Classic examples of bedroom producers who made it huge. Love ‘em.

Daft Punk – When I heard their latest song Derezzed, I felt so not let down

Fatboy Slim – This man amazes me every time.

What's in the pipeline for Dualist Inquiry?
After getting done with this EP launch tour, I'll be back in the studio and working towards a full length album for release later this year. I'm also going to be remixing some songs by both Indian and foreign artists for a remix EP.

There's a music video in the works, and I also have plans to conduct a series of informal music production workshops for beginners/enthusiasts in Delhi. There will be plenty of gigs in the months to come and a few music festivals as well. All in all, the unpredictability of this job is one of my favorite things about it, so we shall see what else happens!

You are stuck on a deserted island with a life supply of batteries and a boom box, list out 5 life changing must-have albums you’d like to have with you and why?
OK this is a difficult one because I don’t listen to a lot of the music that changed my life years ago, but I’ll state some of my favorite albums to date:

1. Rage Against the Machine – Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium
This record to me, is the pinnacle of the live energy a band can have. I love their music, but the way their songs come alive when they’re played live coupled with the fact that this was their last concert for another 9 years makes this one of my favorite albums ever.

2. Digitalism – Idealism
One of the ways I got acquainted with electronic music. I’ve been listening to this album recently, which is a crazy experience because when I first heard these songs 3 years ago I barely understood them or how they must’ve been produced. The electro-rock feel so close to home now.

3. Ratatat – Classics
The Ratatat sound – haunting, melancholic, kind of twisted, emotive and so very unique. One of the most original sounding bands I’ve heard to date.

4. RJD2 – Deadringer
One of my recent fixations, spurred my curiosity towards sampling in my live sets. More on that later (at a gig, presumably)

5. Justice – A Cross the Universe (Live album)
Like the RATM album on my list, this live album by Justice features blistering remakes of their hit songs, which is not only a great idea but also takes courage to do. They nailed it with their live renditions, and I can only imagine what that gig must've been like. Too bad Justice played a DJ set when I caught them in LA. It was nothing like this.

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Bangalore Events: Black Cascade presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar - Warm Up from Bluesky

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

Azhar and I seriously had the most fun playing at Black Cascade last night - we encored with MFA's 'The Difference It Makes' - CHOON! Such a wicked and intimate crowd, just loving the music... people who genuinely enjoy underground music. The cherry on top? It went on till about 12:15AM, unheard of in these times! We were actually saying, a lot of the tunes we play in other venues sounded so much clearer and warmer at Black Cascade... we are huge fans of the sound system there. It's a beautiful space with trippy as fuck lighting.

This week we're bringing in Bluesky to do a warm up set for Nightshift, to be perfectly honest given our history - we might as well refer to him as a Nightshift boy. Back in 2007, Bluesky actually came over with me to a house party and we DJed the night - who was in the audience and drove Bluey down? Azhar. haha First time I met the guy, good times. Bluesky has got a ridiculous vinyl collection and just like us, only plays on turntables. He plays a lovely blend of minimal, tech house and deep... very eclectic taste. I remember he came over to my house and had forgotten his bag of vinyl, so he just went through mine, haha threw down quite a few Nightshift records. Good times.  We're really looking forward to playing Saturday night and honestly, you're going to love the space.  We have something really amazing going on for us at Black Cascade and we'd like to share the experience with you - get there early to check out Bluesky's set...

RSVP Nightshift w/ Azhar & Sailen, Bluesky @ Black Cascade, Saturday, August 28th: Click here

Bangalore Events: Black Cascade presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

So we just played the iDANCE 2010 and the next night we did our first Submerge Sunday gig at Fuga opening for Vachan. Good times. Surreal times. But we're lapping it up. I was reminded that playing a Submerge gig means you're golden... and it really does.  

We've got a gig tomorrow at Black Cascade, gotta say, I love the sound system there. It's a great space, lots of seating, good food... you should come on over. It'll be nice to play out an extended deep house set, but I'm sure we'll get to a harder space towards the end.

RSVP Nightshift @ Black Cascade w/ Sailen & Azhar, August 20th: Click here

Festival: iDANCE 2010 w/ Ma Faiza, Jalebee Cartel, Vachan, Sailen & Azhar, Praveen, Yash

Words can't express how excited I am about this festival.  Forget that the Nightshift boys are playing a slot, just look at how insane that line up is. This isn't cheesy shit, not one fucking hint of cheddar. This is just grimy good. One of my most favourite DJs is playing - Vachan (madness at the Ned Shepard gig) and we're finally getting to see a couple of different Jalebees behind the decks. It's always a pleasure to catch Jalebee Cartel's Arjun Vagale (click for the YHIHF interview) do his DJ sets, but not many of us in Bangalore get the opportunity to catch Ash and Ashvin do the DJing thing, so really can't wait to hear them play. Heard only stellar reports about Ash's set when he opened for Sasha in Blue Frog. What's really special, the dutchess of psy Ma Faiza is headlining the event as well - I got to catch her set at the Sunburn 2008 festival, and it was one beastly tune after the other. The SF Show's Praveen Achary is also playing, he just got voted frisky's artist of the week and put up a set, which was awesome, will be posting it here next. I haven't been to the venue, but I hear really really good things about Clarks, it's pretty much a holiday resort and we'll be playing pool side.  The organizers at Overture keep reminding us to bring swimming gear... hahaha.

So yeah, GET THE FUCK IN!  It's happening this Saturday, August 14th and I hope to see you all there.

RSVP iDANCE 2010 @ Clarks Exotica, New Airport Road, Saturday August 14th: Click here

Bangalore Events: Pebble presents NIGHTSHIFT w/ Sailen & Azhar and DJ Inferno

Flyer: Pia Alize Hazarika

Well, what can I say?  This is big. A sorta coming of age for the Nightshift boys. Anyone who plays underground music in this city, knows that Pebble is the place for underground music. Really excited about this. What's even more special?  We've got DJ Inferno warming up, so this should be ace music all round. I think ummm, haha, chunky tech-house and mean techno will be on the menu... Az and I are pretty much sorted on the programming department.  We're in a good space and it's showing in our music and it would be great to have you judge for yourself. Got some absolute crackers lined up. Here's to Wednesdays being the new Fridays. IT'S ON.

RSVP Pebble presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar and DJ Inferno (Wednesday, July 28th): Click here

Tours and Festivals: Submerge presents Gordon Edge (The Trumpet Man)

Flyer Design: Namita Sekhar

Submerge are at it again, bringing down one of their favourite DJs and Sunburn regular, the trumpet toting Bora Bora (Ibiza) resident - Gordon Edge. It's a proper 5 city tour and should be good times. Haven't really heard him before, but from what I see on youtube, his sound is a heady blend of beach house and tech-house laid with funky grooves, whilst playing, you guessed it, his trumpet over the beats. A friend laughs and tells me "I don't want to see you smirk when he plays Funkagenda's cover of 'Man With The Red Face' and does a live trumpet solo over it." Not so much the Funkagenda cover, but getting to see a live rendition of Laurent Garnier's classic straight from the DJ console has got to be pretty epic.

The good news for us? The Bangalore leg of this tour will be held by the pool side at the Chancery Pavilion. Get there early to catch Bangalore's own DJ Inferno and Vinod K as they warm up what's hoping to be a wicked cool party. Oh, one more thing, Submerge have got a pretty cool contest where they're giving away a signed Gordon Edge trumpet... make sure to check out the details!

SUBMERGE PRESENTS GORDON EDGE - TOUR DATES
July 21st - Touch, Hyderabad
July 22nd - 1 Lounge, Pune
July 23rd - Mambos, Goa
July 24th - Blue Frog, Mumbai
July 25th - Chancery Poolside, Bangalore

All the details on the latest Submerge Gordon Edge tour: Click here
RSVP the Gordon Edge India Tour on Facebook: Click here 

Bangalore Events: Black Cascade presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

So it's kinda cool we've blagged a gig in a new venue... big sound system, warm wooden dance floor, really cushy seating area and ridiculous lighting. Very happy to be playing our first gig in Black Cascade. It's on a Sunday too, which is another first for us, so we're looking for a chiller vibe. Maybe you'll be reeling for more after the Nick Warren gig on Saturday - so we can bang it out a bit. 

After a harrowing experience playing to a bunch of teenyboppers last week, it'll be a relief to have Azhar with me keeping control of things. haha. By 'things,' I mean we're not fucking playing Akon or David Guetta. Anyways, I understand it is a bit of a bitch to walk through a mall when you're looking to party, but once you make it inside Black Cascade, it'll make sense. Drop on by this Sunday and get a few drinks in you... it should be a good night. :)

PS - How dope is that flyer? Star Wars stripper bitch. *insert pervy light saber punch line*

Directions: Old Airport Road, Total Mall, 1st Floor.

RSVP Black Cascade presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar, Sunday, June 18th: Click here

Tours and Festivals: Ciroc presents Nick Warren (India Tour)

We've got a big two weeks lined up for us on the DJ front - Bristol's proghouse legend Nick Warren is doing a three city tour THIS week! It's a bit late and hardly 'youhearditherefirst,' but for God's sake, don't miss Nick Warren. For once I can say, haven't actually heard him live yet. Got rejected by a cowboy bouncer for being underage, the one time I tried. I do have all his Global Underground mixes (it's all about his Amsterdam mix) and a ton of his live sets and they're stellar, proper journey music. Not to mention, his production outfit with Jody Wisternoff as Way Out West is considered the genre's finest production act. It's a pity they're not coming as WOW, but from the many many reviews I've read, Nick is an absolutely devastating DJ. Got to interact with him once in a while, on the GU forum when it was actually worth visiting - great sense of humour. Let's be fair, he's an old school legend who is very much sitting with the likes of Sasha and Digweed as a pioneer in all things progressive - I repeat, do not miss this!

TOUR DATES:
Blue Frog, Mumbai, July 15th
FBar, Delhi, July 16th
Pebbles, Bangalore, July 17th

RSVP Ciroc presents Nick Warren on Facebook: Click here
Buy tickets online for the Nick Warren event in Blue Frog, Mumbai: Click here

Bangalore Events: B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT w/ Sailen Ghosh, July 10th

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika (click image to enlarge)

Yay! Nighshift @ B52 is back... if you were there last time, you must have witnessed the laptop meltdown (keep your drinks away from the DJ console peeps, haha can't say that enough) right at the peak of our set. Well, let's just say, the laptop is one piece, my digital crates are in one piece and I'm ready to bring the house down. Unfortunately, Azhar is in Udupi,  he's taking a bit of a breather in his hometown (dude has earned it ;)), so I'll be playing out the whole night. Bit of a challenge, but I'm really looking forward to it. We've been working our asses off on our promos as well, fingers crossed it will be up for your listening pleasure in exactly two weeks. 

Directions to B52: Get on to Inner Ring Road heading into Koramangala, pass the Oasis Mall/Sony World traffic light, it's the fourth building on your left towards the BDA complex, it's the floor above Ambrosia. Valet service is available so don't trip about parking.

We've also tied up with a promoter, Subeesh Zeni, so if you have any inquiries, make sure to contact him at 9886122458.

One more thing, our in house flyer artiste Pia, has put up some really dope artwork on her blog... Check it out! 

RSVP B52 presents Nightshift w/ Sailen Ghosh, July 10th, 2010: Click here

Join the B52 network on Facebook: Click here

Check out Zeni Entertainments on Facebook: Click here

Bangalore Events: Submerge presents Vachan Chinnappa (DOWNLOAD his latest mix!)

It's been a while since I've given a healthy endorsement to a Banglore event and I couldn't think of a more perfect event to endorse than the cult Submerge Sundays @ Fuga (June 27th, 2010). The x factor this week? Vachan Chinnappa. He's the Bacchus music director and resident, he's been working the Bangalore circuit for well over a decade (maybe even two?) and if I'm being perfectly honest, he's nothing short of a legend. Without fail this man has destroyed my legs each and every time. He's the kind of DJ you catch and then end up having mad cramps the next morning from going beserk.

I kinda want to interview the man and do a proper profile, so I'll hold on all the descriptors for another time. Instead I'll urge you to make it on Sunday for his auricular assault. Chances are you're going to be taken by complete surprise by his programming. Expect a twisted variety of minimal, tech house, TECHNO and I'm talking about 'real' TECHNO. Maybe even a little Drum n Bass and nutty breakbeat as well. Submerge have described him as an 'Electronic God from Bangalore.' Here, here, I say. Hope to see all the YHIHF homies there... it's going to be intense.

Oh, I'm adding a download link to his latest techno mix. DO IT!

RSVP Submerge Sunday @ Fuga w/ Vachan Chinnappa, June 27th, 2010: Click here
Download Vachan Chinnappa's latest mixed set: Click here

Bangalore Events: B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT w/ Sailen & Azhar, June 19th

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika (click image to enlarge)

Woot! The Nightshift Boys are back! It's been three long weeks, Azhar and I are literally foaming at the mouth to play out!  With the World Cup happening, B52 have come up with a pretty cool offer - Unlimited Booze and Grub for a sweet Rs. 800 (optional). The frills aside, let's get completely wasted together... and fill our tummys while we're at it!

On the music front - we're very very very close to getting done with the Nightshift promo mix, we've been sifting through tune after tune for the past three weeks, so right now we're looking to do a couple of test runs on a few of the songs we've locked down on. We've also completely updated our record box with a whole bunch of new music that is sure to get your bootays shaking!  We'd love to see all the YHIHF homies there... hope you can make it!

Directions: Get on to Inner Ring Road heading into Koramangala, pass the Oasis Mall/Sony World traffic light, it's the fourth building on your left towards the BDA complex, it's the floor above Ambrosia. Valet service is available so don't trip about parking.

RSVP - B52 presents Nightshift w/ Sailen & Azhar, June 19th, 2010: Click here

Event Review: Sunburn presents Paolo Mojo w/ INTERVIEW

It was exactly five years ago (or was it six?) when I first heard about Paolo Mojo. He'd just got his name out there with a reputation for being one of the hardest working DJs in the circuit. He was starting to get regular sets of gigs around the world and his production work was getting signed to some big labels - the Discotech EP on Honchos Music will always be a mainstay record in my box. Was fortunate to catch him at an extremely intimate venue on Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles back then... the set was one of my heaviest influences as a DJ. More than anything else, it was his ability to gel together such a diverse variety of house music with such ease that really held my interest. It was one of the few nights where the music by itself was what made the night fun.

Five years have passed and Paolo is globetrotting all over the world, more than you can imagine, hell he's in Tokyo this weekend. The Mojo discography has electronica's finest music ranging from the best of Techno, Progressive and Techhouse. His mixed compilation for the legendary Balance series still has people talking, he's got an extremely in-demand record label - Oosh with an equally popular podcast known as the Ooshcast. Looks like the tireless hard work has paid off for Paolo Mojo and I couldn't think of a better DJ more deserving. 

REVIEW - Sunburn (PDM in association w/ Nikhil Chinapa) presents Paolo Mojo@Pebbles, Bangalore: I'd be surprised (in a bad way) if you didn't know Paolo Mojo was touring all over India late last month... get out of your cave! Well after five long years, thanks to the people organizing the Sunburn Festival, I got the opportunity to catch Paolo rocking a dance floor in Bangalore. Held at one of my favourite venues in the city, Pebbles, it was a big night to look forward to. 

In Pic: The Pebbles crowd

Unfortunately, the event being held at an outdoor club backfired with the monsoons hitting the city in torrential fashion. Mind you, this didn't do much in deterring the Bangalore crowd from losing their minds with Paolo Mojo and the rest of the big Indian DJs who played that night. Massive kudos must go to PDM and the rest of the event organizers who did a brilliant job in moving the the party indoors - though the speakers at the back were kaput.

Kicked myself, due to the heavy traffic, I missed Arjun Vagale's (from Jalebee Cartel) set. Friends tell me it was perfect, feel good techhouse with funk filled basslines that stood their ground. Walked into Paolo Mojo just killing it... and totally working the crowd (a bit of sausagefest, but very very up for it). It was a sweaty mess, throbbing and all round mental. The kids were lapping up Paolo. When I saw him in LA, he was relatively shy, pretty focused on his mixer. In Bangalore he was vibing it with the punters, all smiles, hands in the air, clapping and jigging. He's a star, no doubt. 

In Pic: Paolo Mojo

Musically, in all honesty, there were tons of ups but a few downs as well. As usual, you could tell he felt the need to play a few recognizable remixes (Prodigy and 'Sweet Dreams' to name a few) for the Indian crowd - which in my opinion isn't required of a DJ of Paolo's caliber. Having said that, the really special part of his set came during the last half hour. He played a combination of Nathan Fake's 'Outhouse' and an acid infused remix of Donna Summers' 'I Feel Love.' Took me back to the good old days for sure, so maybe you got to respect his decision to take the recognizable route. 

[rantmode/]I do feel the need to comment on something though. Can we all stop making requests when your favourite DJ is playing? Be it his own productions or a tune you heard in one of his sets you downloaded? I can promise you, the tune you want to hear becomes all the more special when your favourite DJ plays it without being told to do so. By making requests we're not getting a DJ's true art of programming. FFS I'm not here to hear your favourite playlist, I'm here to hear Paolo's playlist. No matter who the DJ is, can we please fuck off with the requests and leave it to the DJ to decide what he should play? I mean, that's what being a DJ is all about isn't it?[rantmode/]

In Pic: Nikhil Chinapa, Arjun Vagale  

In Pic: Vachan Chinnappa

Anyways, with Vachan Chinnappa capping off the night with some absolutely mind boggling stripped down Detroit techno, the Sunburn Festival's Bangalore gig turned out to be wicked awesome. The heavy downfall of rain didn't prove to be a downer, like proper troopers we rocked it hard. With a diverse combination of EDM ranging from feel good techhouse to brutal techno courtesy of Arjun Vagale, the one and only Paolo Mojo and the Bacchus Beast Vachan Chinnappa - you can't help but think about how big the actual Sunburn Festival is going to be. More to the point, fingers crossed, we'll have the pleasure of seeing Paolo Mojo work it on the beaches of Goa in December, at the actual festival. Holding tight for the next Sunburn teaser event... :)

Check out pictures from the Sunburn Tour presents PAOLO MOJO album: Click here

Photographs courtesy of Lucky Malhotra, Indivibe.com

Paolo was kind enough to take some time to answer a few a questions about his latest tour in India... Enjoy the interview homies. - SG

In an exclusive interview with YHIHF, Paolo Mojo discusses his latest seven city tour in India with the Sunburn organizers, his legendary Balance CD, the story behind the cult track 1983 and much more!

You recently did a five-city tour in India – that’s pretty much every big city in this country. What was your perception of the crowds and the scene in general? What was your favourite Indian city?
They were all good in different ways. I did two additional gigs as well so I saw seven cities to play at. The enthusiasm of the people shines through, I would suggest India is one of the healthiest growing scenes in the world at the moment, for electronic music.

Judging by your experience with the organizers of the Sunburn Festival – how much of a success do you think this annual event is? Has the deal been brokered for your India comeback in Goa this December?
Well, I have no idea how the festival is because I've never been to it, but if my tour was anything to go by I'm sure it's going to be a huge success. I have no idea if I will be asked to play this year or not, but I would love to do it.

Who have inspired you inside and outside of music and why?
Everything inspires me or has the potential to. Books, films, documentaries, your environment, the people who you spend time with. I think this feeds into music just as much as music itself.

It seems the sheer numbers in which mixed compilations use to be released have slowed down a great deal over the years, can you comment on this?
Well it's slowed down because ten years ago a mix cd was still a desirable thing. Nowadays people don't need to buy music in its physical format and you can make your own DJ mixes very easily.

You’ve done a mix for the legendary Balance series – can you tell us what it was like working with this label?  
Working with Tom Pandzic and Balance was a hugely rewarding experience. They are great people.

You’ve always been an extremely popular DJ, but I think when Eric Prydz remixed your tune 1983, you really propelled and achieved real global status. I remember hearing it on Nic Fanciulli’s Mixmag mix very early and suddenly two years later it became cult on the dance floor. Tell us the story behind this track...
I decided to write a song at my house, that reflected a lot of the early 80s vibe that was happening at the time. It was Spring, 2004. That demo tune sat around for a year before Eric heard it and put it on his own Mixmag CD and subsequently signed it to Pryda. It took him an age to remix it and I remember being annoyed with him because he hadn’t done it in time for me to include on my Balance CD haha. Anyway he took my elements and made something classic I think. A proper epic record. I'm just glad people still enjoy it.

If there’s any DJ who knows the ups and downs of a DJ lifestyle it’s you (a couple years back, while Paolo was globetrotting on gigs, he came down with a very serious stomach infection and without exaggerating it was a near death experience for him). What are the pros and cons of being a world class DJ?
The same as anybody else really that involves travel and commitments to do things! It's really not that different or special. I guess the only thing is that because it's nightlife you're exposed to a different set of circumstances than a politician or a tennis player. That can make getting on flights difficult sometimes.

Is there any advice you would give to the budding DJs/Producers/Promoters here in India?
Just keep following the things that inspire you.

You are stuck on a deserted island with a life supply of batteries and a boom box, list out five life changing must-have albums you’d like to have with you?
This would change tomorrow, but today would be;

1. Massive Attack - Protection
2. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
3. The Human League - Love and Dancing
4. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver
5. Blur – Think Tank

~~

Follow Paolo Mojo on Twitter: Click here

Join Paolo Mojo's Facebook Fan Page: Click here

Check out pictures from the Sunburn Tour presents PAOLO MOJO album: Click here

Guest List Giveaway/Bangalore Events: Sunburn presents Paolo Mojo

Flyer: Paolo Mojo @ Pebbles, Bangalore

The very kind people at Submerge and PDM are giving four YHIHF readers a chance to blag themselves a spot on the guest list for the Paolo Mojo event @ Pebbles, Bangalore.  Already talked about how sick this line up is, the kids want techno and it looks like they're going to get a healthy dose of it at Pebbles this Sunday. Not to mention, Mr. Submerge and the Sunburn Festival's wizard behind the curtain, Nikhil Chinapa, has just got back from his Euro trip and I have a feeling he's going to be unleashing a whole set of fresh thumpers on us. You gotta appreciate his eclecticism when he gets behind the decks, he really wants to see everyone happy. It's a bit sad that Pearl isn't playing in Bangalore, but with Arjun Vagale, Vachan and Inferno on warm up duties, I think we're in ridiculously talented hands. Need I remind you the main attraction Paolo Mojo, is going to have you dancing your asses off to absolutely quality music.

UPDATE AND SET TIMINGS!

Vinod: 4 - 5.15

Inferno: 5.15 - 6.30

Arjun Vagale: 6.30 - 8

Paolo Mojo: 8 - 10
Vachan: 10 - 11.30

ENTRY DETAILS:
1. First 100 Girls Enter Free
2. Rs 600/Couple Until 6 PM
3. Rs 900/Couple 6PM - 830PM
4. After 8.30 PM Sunburn reserves the right to raise prices upto Rs 1500/Couple
5. STAGS Rs 900 or the reserved price.. Whichever is higher.

Looks like Nik's not playing and just hosting, pity.  Vachan closing and Paolo playing a little early is an inspired decision, considering Bangalore's local laws and the sound these two DJs play. - SG

GUEST LIST GIVEAWAY - PAOLO MOJO@PEBBLES, BANGALORE

Making this really simple. I'll be picking out 4 lucky winners to get on the exclusive Sunburn/PDM Guest List for Paolo Mojo @ Pebbles, Bangalore, May 30th, 2010. This won't take you more than two minutes.

• Become a YHIHF Homie (follow my blog with your Twitter, Facebook or Google accounts - you can find the 'yhihf homies' box on the left hand side of this blog)
• Email me (sailenghosh82@gmail.com) with one line about why you want to watch Paolo Mojo in action at Pebbles, along with the name of Paolo's record label. 

ONE OF THESE THREE OPTIONS IS PAOLO'S RECORD LABEL:

A) Osho

B) Oosh

C) OshKosh

NOTE:

• Please make sure to add 'Guest List Giveaway - Paolo Mojo' in your subject.  If you don't, I'll just delete your email.
• Please make sure to add your telephone number (required) and mailing address (optional) with your email for verification.  I'll need your mailing address because in the long run, I plan to send 'yhihf homies' exclusive goodies.
• The four winners are granted single entry only (BUT - this means stag winners won't have any issues getting in) and will be announced on YHIHF, Saturday, May 29th (I'll email you guys with a confirmation, as well).

Here are the YHIHF winners (phone numbers ending w/) and their answers:

Robert V Patrick- 614 - Paolo Mojo simply put is one of the best djs/producers out there, ive been waiting years to see this guy live. Please make this happen. His record label is  - Oosh.

Aarav Bajaj - 177 - Pebble will have the pleasure of one sick party animal unleashing his vibes and tearing up the scene. Too much? ;) I'm going to make the floor is going to be an EPIC MESS. I got my mojo on for Sunday at Pebble! Yeah baby, can't wait. See you there!PAOLO'S RECORD LABEL: B) Oosh

MD Fuzail - 170 - I wanna watch Paolo Mojo because of this ---> Click here! - to see him belt 1983.

Record label : Oosh 

SURAJ SINGH - 761 - I've been a huge fan of sunburn!! wow what an event that was to see myself partying @ pebbles with SULTAN! Amazing to listen his progressive tunes!! Love Sunburn!! So its that i dooooooonnnntttt want to miss this event!! i hope i win this contest n u'll help me in winning this!! And the answer for this blog is B) OOSH records which his latest tracks like VOYAGER came out!! 

Discuss Paolo Mojo on the Submerge Forum: Click here
Read about the The Sunburn Tour w/ Paolo Mojo on YHIHF: Click here

RSVP The Sunburn Tour w/ Paolo Mojo, Sunday, May 30th, 2010: Click here

Check out Paolo Mojo's interview on the Sunburn website: Click here
For the latest information on the Sunburn Festival join the Sunburn FB Group: Click here

Bangalore Events: B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT, May 29th and The Sunburn Tour w/ Paolo Mojo, May 30th

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

The Nightshift boys took a much needed break last week and made the decision to make Nightshift @ B52 a once in every two weeks affair.  That way you don't get bored of us that easy. ha. Saturday's edition of Nightshift will be a brilliant way to warm yourself up for the Paolo Mojo event on Sunday.  Azhar has been sifting through tunes like a mad man while he completes his final chapter of undergraduate studies in Law and preps for his last couple of exams this week.  As you well know, I've been pillaging tunes off the You Can Call Me Pelski blog, the result? Some pretty wonky, funk driven, disco trash for your listening pleasure. 

Look forward to seeing you all there!  And make sure to wish Azhar bhai on graduating, he's a little scared about entering the real world. Fingers crossed he doesn't become a suit aye?

Flyer: Paolo Mojo @ Pebbles on May 30th

Oooh, one more thing, a lot of you must be wondering, where do the Nightshift boys get their dope flyers made?  Well, these are one of many perks that go with Azhar dating the lovely Pia Alize Hazarika, our in house artiste (please whatever you do, don't call her a graphic designer, she'll get pissy).  She's just got back in the blogging groove and I urge you to check out her website, her artwork is definitely worth a look.  She's pure talent.  Do it! - SG

Check out Pia Alize Hazarika's wicked awesome blog: Click here

RSVP Nightshift @ B52, Saturday, May 29th, 2010: Click here
RSVP The Sunburn Tour w/ Paolo Mojo, Sunday, May 30th, 2010: Click here
Check out Paolo Mojo's interview on the Sunburn website: Click here

Bangalore Events: Solder @ B52, May 21st and Nikhil Chinapa & Brute Force @ Fuga, May 23rd

Can I get a hells yes? This weekend is soo sorted.  Friday get some rock dosage from Solder @ B52, Saturday get some deep-techhouse goodness from Neil Quigley @ Opus By The Creek and on Sunday make your way to the cult Submerge Sundays, with Mr. Submerge himself, Nikhil Chinapa... and cream of the crop DJ, Tuhin Mehta AKA Brute Force.  This is the first time these guys are playing together in three years and when they get together, some thing special happens. Tuhin has also just put out a mix which has been described as a complete 'mindfuck' - so you guys have to give it a listen!  It's been a year since I've seen the T-Man play and he was easily one of the best DJs to rock Sunburn in 2008, this has to be epic.  Fuga this Sunday!

Flyer Design: Namita Sekhar

For more information on the Submerge gig with Nikhil Chinapa and Brute Force, Sunday, May 23rd: Click here

Download Brute Force's latest mix: Click here

In Pic: Solder playing at B52 this Friday

B52 are slowly but surely easing themselves into the rock circuit picking up the city's best bands to do live sets on a weekly basis.  This hot spot is really leaving it's mark, making sure there's a wide variety of quality music being played there consistently (Nightshift baby!).  This week they have local band Solder playing a live set. Hot on the heels off a stellar gig at Take 5, this band is on fire right now.  Lots of hype around them... I'm big fan of alternative/indie, so would love to see what these boys are all about!

Check out Solder's Facebook page: Click here

Check out Solder's MySpace page: Click here

RSVP Solder @ B52, Friday, May 21st: Click here

Fuck the curfew, it's good to see such a solid set of events in one weekend here in Bangalore and I'm still buzzing from Sasha and Cosmic Gate.  Am I smelling a revolution? I hope so.  -  SG

Bangalore Events: Neil Quigley @ Opus By The Creek and Luke Brancaccio @ Fuga

Just giving you guys a heads up for two massive events in the coming weeks... I'm definitely going to be there.  Mark these dates in your calendar (Quigley on May 22nd and Luke Brancaccio on May 30th), these two events are going to be delicious treats for EDM fans in Bangalore.

In Pic: Neil Quigley @ Opus By The Creek, May 22nd, 2010

In Pic: Luke Brancaccio @ Fuga, May 30th, 2010.

I have been following both Neil Quigley and Luke Brancaccio for over 5 years now and these guys are ridiculously talented DJ/Producers.  DO NOT MISS!  More details on both these events, coming soon. Submerge also have Paolo Mojo lined up... these next few weeks are going to be BIG!  I am salivating here.

Check out Neil Quigley's Soundcloud page: Click here

Check out Neil Quigley's Facebook page: Click here

Check out Luke Brancaccio's website: Click here

Check out Rebel Royal's website: Click here

B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT meets FULL POWER, May 15th 2010

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

In Pic: Ashley Murickan @ B52

In Pic: Sailen @ B52

In Pic: Azhar @ B52

One night. Two sounds. Join B52's regulars Sailen & Azhar and Ashley Murickan on an EDM journey spanning all genres; Nightshift's deeptechdiscohouse and Full Power's crazy blend of progressive psy trance.

Happy Hours, Buy 1 Get 1 Free all the way up to 9:30PM, for boys and girls, because we don't discriminate.

Directions: Get on to Inner Ring Road heading into Koramangala, pass the Oasis Mall/Sony World traffic light, it's the fourth building on your left towards the BDA complex, it's the floor above Ambrosia. Valet service is available so don't trip about parking. 

Looking forward to this one, always nice spanning through all genres of EDM on one night. Azhar and I are playing the first two hours this weekend. It's the first time for us on a Saturday night. The folks at B52 were really enthusiastic about combining two of their most popular nights - Nightshift and Full Power, so we're giving it a go. Ashley plays a blend of progressive, trance and a little bit of psy too... It should be a power packed night.  Hope to see you all there! - SG

RSVP Nightshift meets Full Power, Saturday, May 15th: Click here
Check out Nightshift's encore from last week on YOUTUBE: Click here

B52 presents NIGHTSHIFT 4 w/ Azhar and Sailen

Flyer Design: Pia Alize Hazarika

In Pic: Azhar & Sailen

Come one, come all - delish cocktails, chilled beers, blingtastic space, deeptechdiscohouse w/ Sailen & Azhar on the decks. Happy Hours, Buy 1 Get 1 Free till 9:30PM, for boys and girls, because we don't discriminate. If you had a good time last week, you're going to have a better one this Thursday! After a great night with DJ Inferno last Friday, Azhar's back from Delhi and rearing to go. 

Same format as always, chill deep house, bouncy techhouse, last hour of mayhem. We're moving back to Thursday this week because haha, Sasha is playing on Friday, and he's been our inspiration for years, so we can't really miss out on his set.  Also, a slight change in the buy 1 get 1 free, we're pushing it back to 930PM - mainly because we urge you to get there early so you can catch all the music being played... I know it's a working day, but you don't find too many places providing happy hours this late in the city.   


WIN PASSES TO SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE W/ COSMIC GATE (May 9th, 2010): Since it's our 4th installment, we've decided to give you a little incentive to come for our night (besides the great music and great vibes at B52). We've got our hands on some SMIRNOFF EXPERIENCE passes to the Cosmic Gate show on Saturday and we're giving them away at Nightshift! Hold tight, more details on the passes on this page!

PSST - We've also got 20 Couple Invites to Sasha's BURN Tour which is on Friday (May 7th)... and I know if you like our music, you're not going to want to miss Sasha. Again, haha, Hold tight, more details on the Sasha invites on this page!


I know guys, it's only music so far, only Nightshift stuff, I've got some great gems lined up for tomorrow - my review of "How to Train a Dragon" (wished I watched it in 3D), a great set to download from DJ INFERNO, more details on winning those passes, maybe a cheeky link to a Cosmic Gate interview and if God wills, a T-Shirt competition! Stay tuned. - SG


RSVP NIGHTSHIFT 4 w/ Sailen & Azhar on May 6th, 2010: Click here
Read reviews of Nighshift: Click here
Check out the review of Nightshift in the Bangalore Times: Click here
Learn more about the Cosmic Gate Smirnoff Experience tour: Click here
Learn more about the Sasha BURN tour: Click here

Nightshift@B52 w/ DJ Inferno and Sailen Ghosh; April 30th, 2010

Flyer Design: Nihal Ghosh

ALRIGHT. Let's try that again. Nightshift is back for it's third installment! It's happening this Friday, a day before a huge gig, which all the punters must be wetting themselves over... If you haven't heard already, Dirty Vegas are in India!  And they'll be playing at Fuga this Saturday!

We had hoped to get Rithesh Nayak (click on his name to preview his music) to headline our night, since he's going to be the opening DJ for Dirty Vegas, unfortunately he's made other commitments in Chennai.  More on Mr. Nayak when he actually comes and plays at Nighshift. ;)

Since Azhar Meer (never a trust a man who puts his woman before music... :P) isn't here to help out, I'm thinking the next best thing for you, would be for me to play the first two hours completely on vinyl (we usually use Serato Scratch Live - so we don't have to lug the heavy 12 inches).  My EDM vinyl collection dates back to the early 90s all the way up to 2005 and the record label which I use to spend a lot of money on was 'Nightshift' - a west coast tech house label.  Since the label is in many ways an inspiration for our night at B52, I think why not give the Nighshift@B52 punters a preview of the label that shaped my taste in music. I  hope to see you there!

Note: Maybe, just maybe we'll surprise you with a headlining guest DJ who is a promising talent here in India. *taps fingers on table lightly*  

UPDATE: We do have an extremely talented DJ lined up for this Friday! Inferno!  I've known Inferno for a while now, opened for him awhile back at Sutra... absolute quality.  More details on Inferno in my next blog post! YAY! Headliner!

Back to Dirty Vegas in India - they're on a three date tour, playing in Mumbai (April 30th) @ Blue Frog, Bangalore (May 1st) @ Fuga and Pune (May 2nd) @ Stone Water Grill.  If you don't know who Dirty Vegas are, slap yourself around the head and click here... 

Ahh, have the memories come flooding back.  'Days Go By' is a brilliant, brilliant, tune - that may have got overtly commercialized but is still inherently beautiful.  Here's your chance to watch these guys live.  My favourite EDM organization, Submerge are the primary promoters... check out their forum to see if you can hook up with like-minded people at the Dirty Vegas gigs around the country.  More details on this event to come!  Stay tuned and remember... YHIHF. 

To RSVP Nightshift@B52; Friday, April 30th: Click Here
To RSVP Dirty Vegas in India: Click Here