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Indian independent electronic music label Dualism Records, has always had one objective – to create a platform to help fans discover new music while helping artists reach a wider audience. Launched by producer, composer and guitarist Sahej Bakshi, better known to one and all by his stage moniker Dualist Inquiry, the label has just released a brand new compilation, a first for the exciting new label, and as tradition goes, they’re giving it for free!

Featuring some of the brightest Electronica talents from the country such as Sandunes, Big City Harmonics, Nanok and others, alongside label boss Dualist Inquiry, the compilation titled ‘Subterra‘ will see its official release today followed by two massive launch parties later this month! Besides the ultra uber cool music on the compilation, the artwork on the compilation has been done by Harikrishna Panicker, the artist behind the phenomenal artwork of ‘Doppelganger‘!

The story for Dualism Records began with Dualist Inquiry’s debut album ‘Doppelganger’, and now with ‘Subterra‘, the label intends to release Indian Electronica that is fresh, inventive and doesn’t necessarily fit into one genre or category. Here’s what the label boss had to say about the compilation:

Subterra marks the first step in a larger effort that we’ve wanted to undertake for a long time. We’ve seen such incredible growth in independent electronic music in India over the last few years, and it was after hearing the amazing quality of music my peers are making that we decided to start this label. Our aim is to make it easier for Indian music lovers to discover their next favorite artist, and for artists to also be able to reach out to a larger audience more quickly. Subterra focuses on some of the most unique and exciting electronic music released in India over the last year, and we’re looking forward to taking this initiative further in the years to come.

The compilation kicks off with Delhi based Frame/Frame. His emotionally captivating Indie rendition titled ‘Pastels‘ begins our journey into this melodic adventure. With a glowing synth line and some moody vocals, a basic 4 by 4 beatloop alongside a guitar riff overture ascends us into this phantasmic ride!

DJ and Venue Programmer Su Real is quickly becoming one of the most exciting independent producers of the country. And with ‘Grinding’, he puts to rest any doubts of his potential as a top notch producer! With an almost hip-hop electro step groove infused behind some insistive vocal work, a sitar-esque chime follows suit creating all sorts of moods and reflections on the track!

Rohan Hastak, better known as Big City Harmonics, is a true success story when it comes to Indian electronica! Using his artillery of cutting edge downtempo beats, he’s been hitting it big since last year, performing alongside the big Daddy’s of Tech and Progressive. His track ‘Fill your Dragon‘ oozes quality and sonic perfection as a caressing percussive loop lifts a buzzing synth pad all before a magical vocal loop lifts our senses with a toxic mixture of plenty of flavors!

With his toe crushing Dancefloor presence, Mumbai based Nanok just had to be part of this awesome league of producers. His unique and funky sound selection reverberates of his track ‘Rescue me’ as he infuses elements of Nu-funk and disco with breakbeat to create a unique amalgamation of sounds and spirits!

Electro-Funk-Swing-Dance music producer duo Imaad Shah and Saba Azad aka Madboy/Mink are tipped as the hottest property to grace the Indian Electronica scene in the past year! Their sound is unique and blurs boundaries of genres and categories just like their track ‘Funkenstein’ which kicks off with a robotic groove and a playful percussion all before a heavy guitar riff takes over! A pop vocal loop masked behind a puckering drum loop creates an all new vibe on the compilation by lending a joyous overture of melodies and grooves!

Sandunes is arguably one of the strongest acts to emerge from the past year going from newcomer to a distinguished frontrunner in underground Electronica. Her unique blend of Tech with Garage Step and elements of Funk makes her DJ sets and productions simply unpredictable. Frequently assisting Dualist Inquiry on his tours, Sandunes presents her enamoring production ‘Good to you‘. Featuring a groovier dance edit on the track, we immediately kick into a breakbeat loop with some echoing vocal work. At the quarter mark, a building piano chain introduces various other percussion instruments. Some haunting vocals and flangering syths ascend and descend the tempo on the track taking us on a thought provoking turn on this melodic journey!

Dualist Inquiry forays into a territory marked by him, as he gathers his band of Electronica rebels, who successfully bring their individual masterpieces all for the purpose of this immaculately molded compilation. He brings the compilation to a close through the enigmatic ‘Isoterra‘ with an innovative Dal Lake edit. Exploring a sound terrain that has been less ventured, perhaps in spirit of the rest of the compilation and the title itself, the track features some chopped up vocal work behind some uplifting Indian strings. Guaranteed to bring a warm smile on your lips, the playful string work and its synergy with the intense guitar riffs and the progressive electro beat makes this an oasis of a track on this magical journey into the unknown!


With the massive label living up to its promise of presenting some of the finest in Indian electronica, by giving it away for free they have further stemmed their unadulterated commitment and passion towards the genre. We now look forward to the exciting launch parties, the dates for which are as follows! Watch this space for more details heading your way!

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Mumbai

Date: 28th February 2014 | Venue: blueFROG

Line-up:

Big City Harmonics

Sandunes

Madboy/Mink

Dualist Inquiry

Delhi

Date: 1st March 2014 | Venue: Raasta

Line-up:

Frame/Frame

Nanok (Debut Delhi show)

Dualist Inquiry

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