Interview with Dj Aaron James

Q. From Hip Hop to Trip Hop, Funk to Punk, Reggae to Reggaeton — howdo you balance all of that? Do you "lose" yourself in the genres ofmusic that you're trying to create?
Or can your music do without thedistinction of genres?

Haha. The funny thing is that list should actually be much larger to include everything else like Electro Rock, Electro House, Happy House, Disco, Pop, and more. The story is I don't generally play all the genres in a single set, but more gear each set specifically to my audience, venue, and preferences of the client. The truth is I really enjoy all of the music I play whether it be strictly commercial radio hit, or very obscure esoteric selections.

Q. Having dabbled with different genres of music, how would youdescribe the kind of music you do?

Well, besides the fact I actually enjoy all these different genres, whether listening at home or playing at a gig ... I can tell you the one area now that has completely captivated my attention ... and in fact is currently captivated the world's attention ... is Electro House, and in particular Electro House tinged with elements of Hip Hop ... which you would certainly hear this tomorrow (Thu) at Olive in Bandra.

Q. With the variety of music that you do, did you ever have purists crying hoarse?

I would refer you the answer of the first question. During very few sets would I span all these genres ... however, through remixes it is possible to mix in elements of all these genres and still please the purists. As a reference point, my dj consciousness was ignited in the lounge clubs of New York City some 10 years back ... and what that means is in a typical New York lounge club, which has been the movement for the last decade away from so-called mega-clubs, the dj is encouraged to move from genre to genre to please each and everyone in a setting that is more comfortable than enormous and full of dazzling light displays and glow sticks. In this context then, what differentiates a good dj from a bad one is the continuity of the mixes and the general story ... for example it's not as if I would throw on a hip hop track, immediately followed by a house track, followed up with a reggae track ... there would be subsets ... several songs of each genre tied together by remixes that bridge the genres and make sense. I think I have finally mastered this craft ... though there is always room for improvement.

Q. Your web page says "His expansive style appeals to both theunderground club scene and to the more accessible, Top 40 commercialmasses". How do you manage to do that? Does the quote imply that themasses are more accessible?

Gosh these are thoughtful questions ... more than any other Indian interview so far. Checking my watch, looking at the deadline ... ha! Um, just to say ... I believe you can adequately find the answer in the preceeding answers. It's a matter of tailoring the set to the audience always. I am never the same dj twice. That's what keep me fresh and new ... and after 10 years living in a country and city that has ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) ... that's what keeps me employed.

Q. How different is your music from your contemporaries? How do youdifferentiate yourself?

Many of my contemporaries do tend to stick to one genre and go with that. The rest of answer I think you can draw from the previous four.

Q. What keeps you going as a musician? What challenges or "newer"experiences are you looking forward to?

Haha. I am incredibly self-driven ... to be honest, nothing has to keep me going ... I just have an inner drive that is insatiable. Though I suppose I could answer the question like this, by always recognizing my own humility, and my own ability to adapt and improve ... I am most driven by the need to achieve Excellence in my craft ... the need for self-improvement. As for challenges ... I am looking forward to each and EVERY one. Bring it!

Q. From performing with the likes of Kid rock, to opening for numerousacts to post events, film premieres, venues like the Pink Elephant
(phew!) — any collaboration come out of this?

Sure, but not with the stars themselves. Many "collaborations" with promoters, club owners, marketers, managers, and the like. and certainly having all these things on my Bio has opened up doors which can never again be closed. It just brings things to a whole new professional level. The gigs get bigger and better, the pay more lucrative, the energy more glamorous. Funny thing is sometimes these really high profile assignments don't pay as well ... but in the end the exposure is priceless.


Q. Which would you prefer — open-air venues or clubs. Why?
I'll go with the Buddhist in me for this one. It really depends which venue. I have worked in some glorious clubs with extravagant, thumping sound systems, the quality of which is unsurpassed and generally compromised by being outdoors where it is more of a challenge to design a pumping sound system for obvious reasons. The energy in a venue like this is often more intense, as the focus is always the dj and the music ... there are fewer distractions. That said, I have worked in outdoor venues the euphoria of which can not be matched in the best clubs of the world. An example of which would be a clifftop at sunrise in Bali. You're just not going to find that kind of nourishing and organic euphoria djing under open skies in a panoramic backdrop of excruciating beauty ... within the brick and mortar confines of a building ... I don't care how pretty it is, or how thumping the sound system.


Q. This isn't your first performance in Bombay. What brings you back?What's your take on the music scene here?

No, it isn't my first ... but it is my first in a long, long time. We started the Thursday lounge party at Olive (Bandra) back in 2001 ... which is the last time I set foot here. Since I only arrived a couple of days ago, and on slow nights at that, haven't had much of a chance to suss things out musically ... which in some way might be best. I don't want to be influenced to much by what I hear about town ... I'd like to come with a fresh perspective, it's a risk that it will be embrace isn't it ... but then again, I have always been a risk taker.


Q. What's next on your itinerary?

Well, besides shuttling back and forth between Delhi where I am the Resident DJ at AD Singh's new venture ai ... will be many more return trip to Bombay ... my favorite city in all of India. I suppose even in all its glorious differentness ... it does remind me of being home in New York in various ways. For the moment, I can't see beyond India ... as here is where I want to be for the foreseeable future. I have a 1 year work visa, so you will definitely be seeing me around!

And finally, a trivial question I couldn't resist (to help ease themundane questions…)
Q. A google search on Aaron James reveals this: Aaron James did a lotof "modeling" for the website CollegeDudes247.com. Aaron has sincebeen signed to do videos for Jet Set Men. It really is amazing forCollege Dudes 24/7 that Aaron was selected to be on the MTV True Life("I Work In The Sex Industry") that profiles people who work in theadult industry.Any take on that?

Haha ... you are thorough. Though thankfully that is NOT me. In fact of the several hundred thousand sites for Aaron James, I doubt I am even one third of that at best. Unfortunately, it is not such an uncommon name. There are even a couple other djs around with the very same name. For the most part I don't pay any attention to that stuff and just focus on honing my craft.

The Melody of electronic trance

It’s an electronic wave, and most people hitting the club scene may perhaps just see another plight of sheer ecstasy with the number of Djs coming into town. And with the power of pattern and repetition to get people moving, Andy Moor seems more than willing to assimilate whatever comes along. The celebrated Grammy-nominated artist, having performed at Bombay 72 East on Friday, is here in the country as part of the Budweiser Clubbing tour.
“I make music that is mainly electronic (but can also include acoustic elements), but it is melodic electronic dance music. I’m not a fan of trying to be too descriptive of my own music,” he says.
A musical prodigy of sorts, the 28-year-old Briton learnt his first piano piece at the age of 5; mastered six musical instruments by age 11 and spun his first record at the age of 13. Leaning from the classical to his vibrant music with a digital foundation, Andy says, “I am classically trained but I always had the desire to learn more about electronic music after hearing early pioneers like Jean Michelle Jarre, Vangelis and early ScFi musical scores. I was then hooked on early house music, which led me to what I am doing now.”
From both subtle and blatant, his music skips across the hard-line beats using the high, supple lines of what he does best. “I always like to experience new technology. This keeps me going, and also helps me to stay on top of my fame. Everything I do in my life I crosscheck into music and let every experience influence me in my music,” he explains.
“No matter where you play the essence is always the same. I’ve heard so much about India and am so excited to experience it for myself,” Andy says with a certain emphasis on the culture that he has been looking forward to experiencing.
Swaying audiences at music festivals and clubs across the world, and with collaborations that could hang platinum cases across the walls, his appreciation of the more subtle and complex elements to the music may just change your perception of a tune. Next stop: Hyderabad.

Interview with Dj Andy Moor

Q. Having dabbled with different genres of music, how would you describe the kind of music you do? If there is a description of it…I make music that is mainly electronic (but can also include acoustic elements), but it is melodic electronic dance music. Im not a fan of trying to be too descriptive of my own music.

Q. Why do you work with other acts such as Leama & Moor, Tilt and Whiteroom etc. Is it more of collaboration or work as a group?
I like to work with other people as it is always great fun, and it is also good for motivation. It is not always inspiring to work on my own in a dark studio, so collaborating with others helps to break up the monotony and inject a bit of life into the studio.

Q. Having played across the globe, how different do you think it would be playing in the Indian sub-continent?
No matter where you play the essence is always the same. I am expecting enthusiastic people who I think I will warm to and hopefully they will warm to me. Ive heard so much about India and am so excited to experience it for myself.
Q. How different is your music from your contemporaries? How do you differentiate yourself?
I play 100% to the crowd and I think my main talent as a dj is being able to connect with a crowd and understand what music to play to make them enjoy their night the best way possible. I also think being a Dj is understanding people, and understand what people want. Some Djs play to themselves and play a tune that they like but it might not be what others like. My taste in music is something that I share with many people. Im also a classical musician so this also gives me an appreciation of the more subtle and complex elements to the music.

Q. What make you take to the kind of music that you do rather than you conventional classical or traditional form?
As mentioned in my previous question I am classically trained, so as a child I learnt many musical instruments and started my career in the classical industry. I always had the desire to learn more about electronic music after hearing early pioneers like Jean Michelle Jarre, Vangelis and early ScFi musical scores. I was then hooked on early house music which led me to what I am doing now.

Q. You've worked with artists like Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Paul Oakenfold, Brian Eno, Tiesto, Delerium and Arthur Baker. What is it that you bring into their own music?
I bought a different take on their tunes. I made remixes of their work and opened up their music to more people and more enviroments. For example the britney spears song was a slow love song, and the remix we made turned it into a dance tune so that all of a sudden this love song was being played in nightclubs around the world. So we put a different take on the original tune.

Q. What's your view on "remixes" taking away from the originality of musical forms?
I dont think they take anything away, they just add another outlook, another persons perception of the tune. The original tune is what the initial production was meant to be, but a remix opens this up to a broader audience and can showcase the creativity of a remixer.

Q. What's next on your itinerary beside your solo album?
Well I travel nearly every weekend to various parts of the world to Dj, so that is always something that is on the horizon. Apart from that we have another Whiteroom single planned, and also alot of collaborations with various people, mainly for my album. Also there is a new single called "So Much More" which will be released on my label AVA recordings.

Q What keeps you going as a musician? What challenges or "newer" experiences are you looking forward to?
Well I always like to experience new technology. In the studio there is always new software, hardware and techniques ready to be explored. This keeps me going, and also helps me to stay on top of my fame. I also experience alot outside of the music industry and this keeps me motivated inside the industry too. Everything I do in my life I crosscheck into music and let every experience influence me in my music.

Q. Any thoughts or expectations for your performance in India?I am extremely excited and looking forward to coming to India. It is a culture I have been looking forward to experiencing and I have only heard very positive things about the people of India and I cannot wait to meet them and also play them music which I hope they will enjoy.

Interview with Anil Chawla

Q. As resident spinner at Mongo Bongo, how different is the clubbingscene in Bombay to London or anywhere else in the world?I've only spent a short time in Bombay, and have never DJ'd there, socouldn't really compare the scene in Bombay to anywhere in the world. You'llhave to ask me that question again in a week's time!
Q. How would you define the kind of music you do? Rather how would youdescribe what you do?It's all about house for me - from the deep groovy stuff right through tothose twisted 5am moments. If I'm opening, I love the deep house/discosound. Later into the night and on a more twisted flavour; groovy tech houseand techno is what I'm about... With a splash of acid thrown in for goodmeasure.
Q. How open do you think the Indian audiences are to electronica? Orperhaps, how big is the electronica scene here as compared to Europe?I think it's certainly a developing scene. However, because it's relativelynew to a lot of people, they are very enthusiastic about the music - whichis very much positive thing. My experience in Goa (for the Sunburn festival)was very encouraging, and it was great to meet so many people who were sopassionate about house music. Also, you have groups like Submerge who areopening up the scene to so many new people and really pushing it forward.It's a very exciting development for global music.
Q. Do you think India has the potential to be a leader in the clubbingscene as much as Europe is known for?I certainly don't see why not. It will take time and the right people behindit, but I can certainly see it going that way, with more and more peoplegetting into clubbing. Also, there are some great electronic acts coming outof India like Jalebee Cartel and Midival Punditz, which will help push the
movement forward.
Q. How different is your music from your contemporaries? How do youdifferentiate yourself?That's a really good question, but ultimately it's very difficult to answer!I guess the way I try to differentiate myself is by only playing music thatI love, rather than being caught up in following trends.
Q. Can you explain what Global underground UK house music connotates?Global Underground is the record label that I put out a lot of music with,and whom I am working on my album for (in collaboration with Dale Anderson).It's a great honour to be associated with them, as they were the firstpeople to really grasp the concept of DJ mixes, putting out legendaryselections from Sasha, Digweed, Danny Howells, Sander Kleinenberg, SteveLawler, and loads more.
Q. How far with you go in experimenting with your music? Do you thinksomewhere genres get diluted in while mixing music? You think thatwould take away from the essence of its roots?I think it's healthy to experiment to a certain extent... I'm not up therewith Laurent Garnier, but I love to have a play with different sounds forsure. It keeps it interesting. But there are certainly other times when youneed to just keep it as straight house/techno and hold a consistent groove.It's all about reading the crowds.
Q. Where do you see yourself headed with your music?Right now, getting the album finished is priority number 1... Myself andDale have been working on our debut artist album for the last year, whichwill be coming out on GU early next year. We're both very excited to see itout in the shops. I've also been doing a fair bit of touring over the summer(through South America and Europe), and will be continuing with that untilthe end of the year, and beyond. Also, on the production front, I've justfinished a couple of remixes for Cevin Fisher and Redanka, both of which
will be getting their debut on the India tour.
Q. How long has it been since you got into what your'e doing? How longbefore you take a different route, if ever?I've been playing with record decks for about 8/9 years, but I've onlyreally been pursuing it properly for the last 4 years or so. As for the longterm... Well, I'm just taking each day as it comes, and I'm really happywith the way things are going right now. I have no plans to take a massivelydifferent route at the moment, but I certainly shalln't rule it out for thefuture.

Obnoxiously electronic

With underground movements rearing undercurrents with different connotations across the country, the city is putting up with electronica like never before. And marking a foray with an undertone that defies judgments, Anil Chawla brings his “Global underground” UK house music deep within the confines of Henry Thams.
With a clashing term like that to throw your music into, Anil explains, “Global Underground is the record label that I put out a lot of music with, and whom I am working on my album for. It's a great honour to be associated with them, as they were the first people to really grasp the concept of DJ mixes, putting out legendary selections from Sasha, Digweed, Danny Howells, Sander Kleinenberg, Steve Lawler, and loads more.”
As resident spinner at Mongo Bongo in London, his sight on the clubbing scene in Mumbai still holds to be “buzzed” as he puts it,“ I've only spent a short time in Bombay, and have never DJ'd there, so I couldn't really compare the scene in Bombay to anywhere in the world. You'll have to ask me that question again in a week’s time!”
Having exploded on the scene as a DJ to watch back in 2004, Anil Chawla has since soared through the ranks of the music world to establish himself as one of the UK’s most “hotly-tipped” electronic DJ/Producers of recent years. Having been labeled as “a rare breed on the circuit and a true model professional” he brings it all down to his music. “It’s all about house for me — from the deep groovy stuff right through to those twisted 5 am moments. If I’m opening, I love the deep house/disco sound. Later into the night and on a more twisted flavour; groovy tech house and techno is what I'm about. With a splash of acid thrown in for good measure,” noting down his tinge of excitement.
With experimentation at most times being the name of the game with electronica, Anil says, “I think it’s healthy to experiment to a certain extent. I'm not up there with Laurent Garnier, but I love to have a play with different sounds for sure. It keeps it interesting. But there are certainly other times when you need to just keep it as straight house/techno and hold a consistent groove. It’s all about reading the crowds.”
Anil’s just finished a couple of remixes for Cevin Fisher and Redanka, both of which will be getting their debut on the India tour. “I think electronica is certainly a developing scene. However, because it's relatively new to a lot of people, they are very enthusiastic about the music – which is very positive thing. My experience in Goa (for the Sunburn festival) was very encouraging, and it was great to meet so many people who were so passionate about house music. Also, you have groups like Submerge who are opening up the scene to so many new people and really pushing it forward. It’s a very exciting development for global music,” he says.
Here’s to getting our grooves back.