We’re fresh off the recently concluded MTV Bloc Party, Mumbai and still can’t get enough of it. The two days showcased a whole lot of fine music alongwith some great sound and production set up’s combining forces and giving the unbelievable crowd present a super spectacle.

One artist who stood out for all of us was a man out of our own backyard who has gone on to scale international heights and has effectively played at all big music festivals across the country. Truly one of the finest products of electronic music to spring out from our very own India, we welcome the amazingly talented B.R.E.E.D!

We at Team Bangin Beats were lucky enough to interview the raging bass mastermind and know more about him and what he had to say about the MTV Bloc Party and further on!

So without further adieu, we (thebanginbeats.com) welcome one of the best & most sought after names in music to originate out of India! Give it up for the king of wobble, B.R.E.E.D!

Q) First things first, you have received astounding success in recent times in terms of dub music. What inspired you to produce dub influenced music?

B.R.E.E.D: Well I was heavily into playing breakbeat when I first started out in my early EDM days, and I have always loved reggae, so by the time EDM had started evolving more and more with the influence of dub and finally dub step, I actually journeyed along this path simultaneously.

Q) You won DMC (India) in 1999 and 2000 and ever since that have grown from strength to strength. How have you seen the electronic music scene evolve in India through the years?

B.R.E.E.D: Well it has been a slow evolution in India in regards to the type of underground EDM that I am into. Otherwise the EDM scene in India has continuously and steadily grown, but again, mostly in house, techno and trance.  In terms of bass music or underground EDM, the scene has grown, with more and more EDM fans in India getting down to first dub step and now glitch hop, drum step and moombahton, however the broader EDM scene in India has not quite embraced some of these alternative forms of EDM yet, especially the venues and sponsors promoting EDM in India. So yes, the EDM scene has grown and evolved a bit in India, but we are still at the beginning of really having a very strong underground EDM fan base in India. It is there, but it is small compared to mainstream EDM, and there is still a lot of room to grow.

Q) You changed your moniker from DJ Nasha to B.R.E.E.D. What’s the story behind that?

B.R.E.E.D: Basically DJ Nasha was (and still is!) an Indian-based, commercial, Bollywood dance music DJ and producer, and B.R.E.E.D is an international bass music DJ and producer.  So it is not totally about the change per say, from DJ Nasha to B.R.E.E.D. It’s about the separation of the two identities. DJ Nasha still exists, but Nasha gigs or releases are strictly based around Bollywood, and commercial house or hip hop, with a strong focus on the Indian market.  B.R.E.E.D is a completely different identity and project and is an international project focusing completely on bass music and underground EDM.  No asian underground, no mention of Bollywood, period.  Enforcing the separation of these two identities has been pretty tricky in India, in regards to guiding the fans of both names, but we have been extremely strict about not allowing the two identities to be used in reference to each other in any way, and we have drawn an extremely thick line between the two in order to avoid any confusion or cross-over. One last note; B.R.E.E.D is my true passion, but DJ Nasha will always live on in its own way.

Q) Just a couple of days back Mumbai witnessed you live at MTV Bloc Party. How was the reaction of the crowd to your set?

B.R.E.E.D: The crowd was ecstatic with the sounds I was dropping at the Bloc Party.  They were hungry and ready for it, like at most of the festival performances I have done in India. It is just a matter of fewer people in India understanding and being aware about the type of music I play, which might be one of the only things holding people back from loving the type of music I play.  But I think with each and every set I play in India, there are people in the crowd who say, “what was that?” And they go home with a totally new sense of EDM and wonderment.

Q) That said, do you usually play your set for the crowd or do you prefer to playing what you like and see how the crowd responds?

B.R.E.E.D: I play what I like, and what I love. Unless I am playing in a small, sensitive environment or at a very different venue or for a serious crowd that is not familiar with EDM at all, I might break my sounds out a little on the mellower side and work from there. But usually I always play what I love, and it almost always goes over well with a new crowd.  I never want to have an obnoxious presence in an environment where it just doesn’t make sense, but at the same time, I always play what I love.

Q) MTV in a way introduced a new concept with the coming of the MTV Bloc Party in Mumbai. Your thoughts about the same?

B.R.E.E.D: I think it is great.  I think it’s a new way of really growing as well as diversifying the EDM scene in India. I think they brought some really great and “new” (to India) artists down for this event including Alesso, and of course my personal favorite, Opiuo.

Q) Lately we’ve seen you sporting the native red indian head gear while you play live. What’s the secret behind that?

B.R.E.E.D: There is no secret.  I actually love rocking really unique outfits while I perform. I don’t like to stick to the mainstream as you can tell.  It is always fun to dress up for the occasion, throw something new at the crowd, and get the excitement growing. So the native Indian headgear is the latest addition in my unique wardrobe which will continue to evolve and grow in time. :)

Q) Any favourite artist of yours on the lineup of the Bloc Party who you were most excited to watch and share the stage with?

B.R.E.E.D: Of course that would be Opiuo.  I was actually heavily involved in getting Opiuo to fly down to India for this party as well as for the mini-tour the two of us performed for prior to the Bloc Party.  I have always been a huge fan of Opiuo‘s sounds, and I drop a lot of his tracks in my sets, so it was awesome to finally tour with him and share the stage with such a trend-defying and talented producer.

Q) In your opinion, how do you think Dubstep has evolved in the country? Internationally, its gone from underground to mainstream, do you feel that’s bound to happen soon in India as well?

B.R.E.E.D: Well I think we might miss this step in India, because dubstep has practically been declared “expired” and “gone” in the international market, (although it is still a huge influence in the upcoming EDM trends). The switch from dubstep to new underground EDM genres like trap has been so swift that before you can blink an eye, those sounds will start popping up across India, if they haven’t already.  It is not so much about dubstep becoming “mainstream” anymore, but more about “bass music” showing its face in the mainstream market.  I don’t think either of these musical terms or genres will ever fully become mainstream but they might show some part in the evolution of mainstream music.

Q) Could you tell us a little about your affiliation to High Chai Records?

B.R.E.E.D: High Chai is the devoted music label from NYC whom I have worked very closely with over the past 5 years or so.  They were the label that allowed me to release my first tracks under the name B.R.E.E.D, and we have worked together ever since, and I am sure we will continue to do so.  They have also been hugely instrumental in helping me to evolve the B.R.E.E.D name in the international market, as well as by promoting my releases under their label in India.

Q) With 2012 gone we can easily say it was an incredible year for you. What does 2013 hold? Could fans all across expect a new EP soon?

B.R.E.E.D: 2013 holds a lot of excitement and unknown changes already.  With the B.R.E.E.D headquarters now expanding its base out to Los Angeles California, (one of the main hubs of underground EDM music in the world), we are really excited about what is still to come in 2013.  With a lot of new collaborations down the line, we can’t even say what 2013 will hold yet, but we know it is going to be big.  And yes, there will definitely be a hefty EP out soon, that is almost ready for release, and features some awesome surprises from the B.R.E.E.D family.  The EP is getting stronger by the day, so please hang on to your seats and get ready for this 2013 release.

Q) Any final words to fans who came to witness your set at the MTV Bloc Party and others all over India?

B.R.E.E.D: Thank you for your amazing energy and support and I look forward to rocking more stages and festivals with all of you soon! Stay tuned on the B.R.E.E.D website and on the B.R.E.E.D social media pages for all of the latest gig dates, news and release information.  And, as always, bless up!

Thank you for the interview and thank you for the superb set at the MTV Bloc Party!

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