Interview: Arjun Vagale

Arjun Vagale is one of India’s most coveted DJ’s, part of an exclusive new breed of cutting-edge producers making a massive global impact. As one of the country’s leading electronic music exponents, he plays over 100 gigs a year and tours regularly through Europe and Asia. A man with a true passion for the underground, a sound he relentlessly plays, produces and promotes, it’s no surprise Arjun was awarded 2012’s Best Techno DJ / DJ Of the Year, and currently reigns at the top of the first-ever DJ Mag India Poll 2012.

Known for his “intense, driven and atmospheric” techno sound, Arjun has played alongside heavyweights of the likes of Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Apparat, Sasha, Christian Smith, Fat Boy Slim, Nic Fanciulli & more. His knowledge and use of technology in the booth is second to none, innovatively wielding drum machines and samplers to create a raw, electrifying and radically twisted set. Taking a calculated risk a few years ago to move away from what was already a major main-stage career, Arjun followed his love for the counterculture by traveling into darker, more experimental musical terrain. Always inspired by the prodigal sounds coming out of Berlin, he started basing his summer tours out of the techno Mecca, and his productions reflected this evolution into ever more intense and groovy bass-lines. His fluid and hypnotic “sensation- focused dance beats” have brought his production skills to the limelight and won him a wide fan following.

In his spare time, Arjun runs a global record label, MakTub Music, with Uruguayan partner Logistic Soundz, where he can indulge in his other passion: discovering and promoting fresh talent. He also runs India’s premier electronic music school, The ILM Academy, and is a partner at UnMute Agency, which manages the finest underground talent in India.

Over the last 16 years, Arjun Vagale has truly come to the forefront for the quality and depth of his productions and DJ sets, even while staying true to his roots. Whether packing in the dance floor or producing yet another monster tune, Arjun’s total dedication to house and techno is apparent in everything he does. Scroll down below to read up on what the talented DJ/producer had to tell us about his formative years as an artist, his take on the electronic music scene in India, his experience at the recently concluded BPM Festival and more!

TBB: Hi Arjun! Welcome to http://thebanginbeats.com, thank you for taking time out to speak with us. First up, you were born and have been raised in India, how did you arrive at a career in electronic music considering the market wasn’t as big as it is now for producers and DJ’s? Who or what was your first inspiration?

Arjun Vagale: Hey guys, thanks for having me. Well, my folks always had the Beatles or Elvis playing around the house, so music has been a part of my life since I was very young. I learned to play various instruments when I was in school, and was part of the school band etc. When I discovered dance music, or electronic music, I was immediately hooked. My ambition was always to make my own music, whether it was heavy metal in my early teens or electronic music now.

TBB: We learned that at the age of 16, you founded a trio called DJ FAC 3, could you tell us a little about the project, the members and how it played a role in shaping your future as an artist?

Arjun Vagale: Sean D’Souza, Assad Namazi and I started this collective together. It was something that we just decided to do, a fun collaborative project. We were young and didn’t even know how to DJ properly, as we didn’t have any gear. But we experimented and figured out how to mix using an old Technics turntable with rotary pitch and a Discman. Back then (1995-96) there were only a tiny handful of DJ’s in the country, so you had to make your own way.

It was a great learning experience, and of course a lot of fun. We played a lot of parties in Bangalore, got our first residency playing afternoon sessions at a pub, and figured out how to make people dance… it was a very special time, and it did influence the path my life would take.

TBB: In a career packed with a number of achievements, you’ve witnessed various phases of the growth of electronic music in India, aside from other parts of the world. Would you say that you’re satisfied with the course it’s taken? What is your vision of the future of the Indian electronic music scene?

Arjun Vagale: That’s really tough to say, as it’s human nature to always want more – one is never entirely satisfied! The scene in India has been rapidly growing over the last 10 years, but it’s only in the last 5 that it has exploded, which is due to the fact that the big players saw the potential of making big $$$ — and that’s when quality became a secondary concern.

Most people don’t realize that it is the artists who have been pushing the Indian scene for all these years; they created the platform for the big boys to come in and lay claim to the scene. It’s important to know what the foundation is made of, and how strong it is, before you build a skyscraper. If you rock the foundation, things tend to fall apart.

TBB: Speaking about the scene here in India, what in your opinion are the strongest and the weakest points of the Indian scene currently? Do you feel that India has arrived on the dance music world map as a mainstay or do we need to do more to get there?

Arjun Vagale: We have some immensely talented DJ’s and producers in this country, and that’s key to gaining international recognition. It’s essential to have a strong local scene, with artists who do everything they can to push forward. That, in my opinion, is our strongest asset … and that’s a big reason why India is very much on the dance music world map. A scene is only as strong as the music that comes from it, and by music, I mean productions. Kohra, Blot, Praveen Achary, Vipul, Sound Avtar and many others are so on point, that when they’re let loose on the international stage, they’ll blow up.

TBB: Apart from being an artist, you’ve also played a key role in other projects associated with electronic music such as UnMute Agency and ILM Academy. Could you tell us what led to the formation of both the initiatives and your vision for each of them?

Arjun Vagale: I have many interests, and one thing that unites them is my desire to help people get ahead. I set up my label, MakTub Music, with my business partner Nico almost 5 years ago, and since then we’ve helped and pushed forward a number of upcoming producers to the international stage.

Dev Bhatia has been my manager for the last 8 years or so, and the system we created together to manage Jalebee Cartel was world-class, so we decided to share it with our friends by forming UnMute. We currently manage about 25 artists.

ILM was started in Bangalore by Sean D’Souza and my brother Nakul, and they ran it for many years as a small school. We realized there was huge interest and potential in it, so we expanded to Delhi with our flagship academy, which has industry-standard studios.

In my mind, all of these ventures are linked… You help kids gain knowledge, you nurture and motivate them, and eventually you help build their careers. I had no one to show me the ropes, and it’s taken me many, many years to reach where I am. I’ve made mistakes along the way and have had tons of ups and downs, but I figured my own path. Now I want to help others reach their goals quicker and more easily.

TBB: You recently performed at the incredible BPM Festival, which featured a number of globally renowned talents. Could you tell us a little about the experience and what it felt like to be part of a line-up, which featured such great exponents of dance music?

Arjun Vagale: I got invited to play at BPM while I was on tour in the US last summer, and it was such an honour to be part of that incredible lineup of artists. The lead-up to getting to Mexico was so stressful, with the polar vortex hitting the US, flights being canceled etc., I almost didn’t make it. But that made the whole BPM experience even more exciting. Playing to a crowd that is totally new is one of my biggest joys, and I’m so glad my set was well received. Apart from that, it’s always good to actually meet all the amazing DJ’s and producers that one speaks to over e-mail. Lots of tequila and techno!

TBB: In addition to that, we’d be really intrigued to know any amusing experience which may have occurred during your trip to the festival, which you’d want to share with us and our readers?

Arjun Vagale: Like I said, there was a lot of stress leading up to the festival, so once I got there and finished my set, I was so relieved that everything had worked out. As I stepped down, I was surrounded by new fans who knew almost every track of mine and were excited to finally see me play live. That was followed by many shots of Mazcal with all of them … the rest is a bit blurry ;)

TBB: A few stakeholders of the dance music industry globally have criticized its increasingly commercial nature. As someone who is involved in so many aspects of the electronic music sphere, we’re very intrigued to know your thoughts?

Arjun Vagale: I just read this on Karsh Kale’s page: “EDM is to electronic music….what Mcdonalds is to burgers”. EDM is Pop, it’s as simple as that. The ’80s had rock, the ’90s had hip hop, and this generation has EDM. I’m not a part of that scene, and my music can’t be compared to it in any way. It’s a phase and it will pass once some other form of pop music takes over — but the underground will always remain. The same guys who did Britney Spears concerts are now doing Avicii.

TBB: Your tracks have been played at the best of venues across the world by some of the finest artists around, including Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin. Tell us how does it feel to have such big names take note of your music and play them as part of their sets?

Arjun Vagale: The only reason I make music is so that people dance to it, and seeing people play it all over the world, to these massive audiences, is the biggest high ever. Naturally I’m very glad and honored that all my heroes play my tracks, it’s kinda full circle knowing that I’ve played so much of their music over the years, and now they’re playing mine too.

TBB: You were awarded the #1 position by DJ Mag India in its opening year. As an artist, what were your thoughts on the achievement? How much do such accolades mean to you?

Arjun Vagale: Winning this was a great feeling, and it’s always nice to be recognized for years of hard work. Moreover, it was a big win for underground music. But I’ve always kept it a safe distance from my name. If you are good enough, then let your music do the talking, not some number pasted on every flyer.

TBB: Speaking about that a little further and considering commercial & Bollywood music is what sells the most in India. Would you if the money involved were good, do a commercial electro house track or a Bollywood remix ever?

Arjun Vagale: Never!

TBB: Any upcoming releases, remixes or collaborations set to be released in the near future you’d like to talk about?

Arjun Vagale: It’s going to be a busy year for sure, and a year of collaborations. My remix on Bedrock has just been released, and it’s getting some great feedback. I have a follow-up release on one of my home labels, Trapez Ltd., coming up in a few months. And the summer will see my debut release on Dubfire’s SCI+Tec. Apart from that, I’m working on a lot of collaborations with Ramiro Lopez, we’ve got a whole bunch of tracks ready and they’ll be out on some very special labels. I’ve also been collaborating with one of my idols, but need to keep that on the down low for now.

Gig-wise, I’ll be playing at WMC (Winter Music Conference, Miami) this year, which I’m VERY excited about, and at Sonar and the US again in the summer. Exciting times ahead.

TBB: Since we are http://thebanginbeats.com, we have to ask you our traditional question; tell us your top 3 #bangin tracks presently?

Arjun Vagale: This week …
Kohra & Ruiz Sierra – The Difference
PROJECT AKC – Cabin Pressure
Alan Fitzpatrick – Confessions of A Wanted Man (Benjamin Damage Remix)

TBB: You’re known to be extremely insightful. That said, what advice would you like to offer budding producers and DJ’s who are looking to get noticed and build a successful career as an artist?

Arjun Vagale: Do your thing, be original. Quality over quantity every time.

TBB: Finally, time for a few rapid-fire questions! (You have to answer these in a few seconds)

The best track of 2014 until now?
Oozeundat – Bitch To Quit

A producer within India whose fidelity you admire?
Kohra

Drumcode or Bedrock?
Both

An underground boiler room gig or an open-air concert?
Boiler Room

If not a producer/DJ you would be?
Some form of the arts

Three essentials you always carry while on tour?
Phone Charger, Laptop & Underwear

TBB: To round things up, would you like to give any message to your fans in India and all across the world?

Arjun Vagale: A big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me over the years, I do this only for you ☺

TBB: Thank you so much for taking time out and speaking with us. We are http://thebanginbeats.com. It’s been a pleasure!

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