As he becomes the first Indian producer/DJ to be signed on Hardwell’s label, Sarthak Sardana aka Sartek tells R Sharma why he chose to become a DJ after studying Charted Accountancy. He further elaborates on the current EDM scenario
He started his career as a Charted Accountant but as they say, destiny had other plans for him. On the day, when his exams for CPT got over, he was sitting at a bar when his tryst with trans music began. That was a turning point in Producer / DJ Sarthak Sardana aka Sartek’ s life. In 2009, the composition which he was rejected by everyone in India was picked up by Hardwell, electro house Dutch DJ and music producer. Since then, there was no going back. In a casual chat, he gives a flashback of how he started and what is the bigger challenge for him now.
How did Djing happenIJ
It is a funny story. I am a half Charted Accountant, I have my final exams left. This goes back to 2007, when my exams got finished, I was sitting in a bar. The DJ was playing the trans music and it was like an explosion to me. That was the moment, I heard trans for the first time. I was very inspired, I went back home and searched all songs by Ferry Corsten and then till 2009, it was growing in me. I started listening to all the trans DJs. In 2009, there is an academy in Anand lok, Beat factory, they teach music production, so in 2011, I finished my course. From 2011 to 2013, I was making music, so that time I faced a lot of rejections. In October 2013, Tiesto picked me up and that track was called Poker lips, the label is called Magic Music. Since 2013, when the track got picked up, I was discovered by Sunburn. Then I made a track called Dopamine, and that was played by David Guetta.
Did you play this time at SunburnIJ
Yes, I played at the main stage and I opened for David Guetta this time. I was also playing at the world’s biggest guestlist.
You are the first Indian producer. How did that happenIJ
I made a track called Backed up, it was not going to any label. Everybody said that it is not our kind of music; that the beats are not good. I was frustrated at the end, so I put it on Facebook for free download. That track was downloaded by Hardwell and he started playing it. I was very happy. After making my second production, I sent it to him saying ‘I am the same Sartek who made Backed up, I hope you will like this one, too’. In 20 days, I got a reply from him saying, ‘Hey Sartek, I love your work, here is the contract’. He has signed me for four records.
What do you think of the prospects for the Indian artistes in EDMIJ
EDM is going through an overall change right now. In 2007, when I used to talk about dance music, only a few people knew about it. Their reaction was mainly, ‘Arey, kya dance musicIJ Drug infused people listen to it’, but now if I compare the present scenario, it has reached some other level. If earlier, bands were given more importance, now DJs have taken the center stage. Also, right now, the exposure to the genre has doubled up. We are still lacking in terms of what the international scene is doing but we are good at our own pace.
But, do you think the exposure and opportunities for Indian artistes are same as international onesIJ
I think there are more opportunities for Indian artistes. Because all these management companies, labels outside have the same kind of people making the same sound. For them, this music is done and tested, but when an Indian comes up with their music, he has Indian melodies attached to it. It has an Indian connect. I gained a lot of acknowledgement in these three years because my music had that connect to it. It is very difficult to do something apart from Bollywood in the field of music and this is what International artistes like.
What about the scenario in the country right nowIJ Are people completely aware of dance musicIJ
Honestly, a lot of DJs are struggling right now because the competition tough. For example, Hardwell’s label, it gets 1,000 compositions every day, So, the question is — why will he pick you upIJ If you have that top notch quality of music and mixing quality, then only you are picked up by him. If you get picked up by international artistes, then you do good otherwise, it is a very tough job.
We completely agree. The competition is not only among Indian artistes but there is a stiff cpmpetition from international Djs as well.
Any festival in India would never have people come to an Indian artiste because the craze would always be for the international one. This is where the ranking comes in. If Martin Garrix is number three, and Sartek at number two, then the crowd will pick me over him. Sartek is not even in the top 100, that is the fight for me right now. In the world ranking, it is a long battle to go. But, the Indian market is slowly growing.
There are talks of you collaborating with Martin Garrix as well.
We just met, we became good friends. I made him hear my music, he liked it. We are just working, nothing confirmed. He has a busy schedule but I hope things work out.