A compilation album brings together unheralded sounds from the Indian under-ground music scene for a charitable cause
Shatrunjai Dewan aka Monophonik at a performance in Delhi
From indie-pop to rock and EDM, composers and musicians are rising from every corner of this country. It is no surprise then that UK-based label, Bandcamp, released a 10-track compilation album that brings together a diverse list of producers to showcase the sounds of the Indian underground scene in October.
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Shatrunjai Dewan aka Monophonik says that the task to put together the compilation album was revelatory. “There were so many talented people who I thought could fit into the album,” the Mumbai-based music producer says. Dewan’s connection with the label goes back to his college years in Leeds as a 21-year-old. “When I released my first-ever vinyl release, Cherry Picked, in January with them, producer Andrew Kemp from the label approached me with the idea of a compilation whose proceeds would be donated to the Salaam Balak Trust,” he reveals.
The concept brought together Dewan’s wish to work with friends and explore their music, with a cause to support. “The idea of raising funds also shaped the curation process; we had to make it more sellable for a UK audience,” he says, adding that collaborating with the music community is one of the fun aspects of being a professional musician.
Incidentally, the compilation is part of the label’s ongoing attempt to explore the underground scene across the country. Dewan explains, “It was a rare opportunity to showcase an Indian sound on an international platform for an international audience. A lot of Indian producers have been inspired by the UK sound of the garage, trance and dub-step music, but we also maintain our own unique identity in the creation process.”
Tracks by Zequenx, Rafiki, Kohra, FILM and Dewan himself as Monophonik among others explore jungle, techno and trance sounds in the compilation. The tracks are free-flowing and addictive. But they also opened up fascinating stories for the producer.
Describing the journey of Zero State Kid aka Sudeep Mukherjee, Dewan elaborates, “He comes from a humble background in a remote town in West Bengal where he is creating music through his laptop. It’s an India-centric jungle rave music that will surprise you,” he reveals. The idea of someone finding a connection with creators through music, while being so far away, fascinates the 29-year-old. It is clear that the country is yet to completely discover its underground talent.
Travelling through Tamil Nadu, the composer is currently awaiting the release of his next track in December. “It is with the label Rhythm Section. There is another vinyl compilation with the label, Jugaad, that will release later,” he says.
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