Globally-acclaimed DJ Bl3ND rocked MTV’s Bloc Party in Mumbai. He spoke to Shrabasti Mallik about plans of setting up his music label
How has social media affected your popularityIJ
Social media has helped me before and continues to do so because it makes it easier to communicate with fans. Especially on Twitter if anyone asks me any question, I reply back immediately. Overall I can interact better through social media.
Share with us your initial years of struggle and your claim to fame.
To be where I am today is unbelievable. My fans who are now ‘Blenders’ enjoyed what I did even when I wasn’t famous. They spread the word around which eventually got all over the world. Thanks to my fans, I’m playing at all the biggest music festivals in the world. In the beginning, it was a little shocking when I was approached by different people to play at various clubs across the world. looking back, I never thought I would be this big.
Initially I was supposed to have a different job because DJ’ing was only a hobby of mine. Now DJ’ing has taken over my life. The journey has been great. Over the years, I have been evolving as an artiste and there is still plenty left for me to do. I am very excited about future and share new music and videos with my admirers.
Your music is a bass-heavy mix of electro, dubstep and electro house. Can you put it in perspectiveIJ
I describe my music and mixes to be wild, insane, crazy and fun. That’s why all my mixes are always named this way. I put name to my mixes to describe the music and video together.
How did you develop your high-pace style of electronic musicIJ
I fell in love with electronic music because of its great energy. This electronic energy is what I live for and this is the energy our generation is adapting to. My fans love all the jumping, all the raving and all the craziness this music offers.
Tell us about your musical influences.
I had a very wide range of influences. From rock, rap, Mexican music, country music to house, I listened to everything. Artistes who influence me, as far as Dutch style goes, were Afrojack and Chuckie. As far as electro style is concerned, there were many underground people with great mixes I came across.
How has industry evolvedIJ
It has evolved a lot and I’m sure it will keep evolving. Many people have their thoughts. Some people say it’s going to die out, others say it’s going to be the greatest thing. I’m just going to keep on doing my thing because it’s what I love. I like other kinds of music, too, but EDM is really my music. My sounds will evolve with time.
You conquered the dance music scene all by yourself, with your signature high-energy live mixes. Did you expect to receive such huge response to the do-it-yourself approachIJ
I started producing two years ago by taking out tracks and now I’m working on my EP. I will release singles and once they reach three million likes on Facebook, I will release another free track. My last track was for free and I’m going to release another one, and then an EP followed by more singles. I may cut an album next year.
How did the mask become so relevant to your identityIJ
Wearing a mask to every show is always different and cool. I decided to wear a mask for no reason, the idea just came to me and I thought it would be a hype. Every now and then, I like to change my masks and get them made in different ways. It’s like a haircut, you’re always trying on different styles. Behind the mask isn’t DJ Bl3ND, only when wearing the mask I am the real DJ.
Tell us something about your forthcoming projects.
I have a lot of collaborations and a lot of new music videos coming out next month. I’m definitely going to surprise my fans with some of the best new music Bl3ND has to offer. I am going to launch my label lokoSound this year. I will be releasing some crazy music from other artistes as well myself through the label.