For those of us who grew up partying in mid-2000 Calcutta, it was DJ Vicky’s tunes that we danced to — first at Anticlock, then at Venom and then every New Year’s Eve at the scandalous BTP parties (that everyone would grumble about but invariably scramble to get in!). On August 18 at his nightclub Myx, expect old and new friends to turn up as DJ Vicky (Vikram Metharamani, if you must know) celebrates 20 years of deejaying... and his 40th birthday!
THE FIRSTS
First gig was? In a banquet hall at The HHI when I was 19 years old. I played for free for some friends. But it’s the most memorable gig because that’s where I met Shikha (wife) for the first time.
First brush with deejaying? When I was in Class II, Pinky Tangree [Jimmy Tangree’s sister] was my teacher in St. Mary’s School. I would go to her house for tuition and there I would see Jimmy putting his headphones on and I would ask my teacher, ‘What is bhaiya doing?’
First ‘equipment’ was? Two CD players from Fancy Market for Rs 5,500 each!
First gig you got paid for? New Year’s Eve, 1996, at The Pink Elephant (The Oberoi Grand). Bunty (Sethi) got me that gig.
DJ or businessman, what are you first? A DJ. Whatever comes next is because of this.
THE TOP THREE
Gigs you’ve ever played? At Long Beach Golf & Spa Resort in Mauritius. It was Esha Deol’s brother-in-law Manik Takhtani’s party and we finished at 11am the next morning! A party in Delhi in January 2014 where I played in the presence of Pranab Mukherjee and Manmohan Singh. And finally, the wedding of Avarna (Sanjiv Goenka’s daughter). It was a privilege to play for a legend like him. I’d also like to mention Club Galaxy in Kathmandu. Good friend Ankit Kocher (Ankytrixx) would get me to play there once every few months.
Names in the industry when you started out?
DJ Sunny Sarid in the late ’90s and DJ Ivan in early 2000. DJ Austin who is synonymous with Someplace Else and my dear friend Sanjay Dutta.
THE LEARNINGS
The biggest surprise — nightclub Myx, private zone Blink, Over The Top (OTT) or restaurants Aaira and Chilli Wok?
OTT. That a 1,500sq ft rooftop bar could compete with a 3,500sq ft club was an eye-opener. The revenues from both run parallel.
Most annoying thing behind the console? When you get a request for a Bolly track at 3am in a club.
A track you’re tired of playing? Kala chasma, Rapture by iiO and Ishq by Sukhbir… I’ve been playing them for years!
Calcutta’s nightlife needs? More clubs for those who want to dance. Right now, there are more pubs than clubs and people are standing up and dancing where they are eating.
THE FAVOURITES
When you’re alone, you listen to? Lounge music. I don’t like listening to club music when I’m not in the club. On a drive, I enjoy deep house.
Go-to grub at The Myx?
The pizzas at OTT!
Glass of poison?
Moscato.
Your wife Shikha is? My pillar of strength.
When not working?
I like to eat out.
Where and what?
Chilli Garlic Noodles at Chinoiserie, dim sums at Zen and Dal Bukhara at ITC Sonar.
Fave cologne?
Hermes.
Fave fashion brand?
Gucci and Louis Vuitton for formal and Zara for casual.
Apps on your phone?
Shazam, MakeMyTrip, Google Maps, Instagram, Temple Run.
THE LAST
Movie seen in a hall? Dishoom.
Dialled number was to? My chef Abbas.
Song you danced to? Torn by Natalie Imbruglia at the karaoke night in Blink.
Haircut was? An hour ago by my barber Arshad, he’s just round the corner from The Myx!
THE FUTURE
Next up, is? To open a chill-out zone but it must have a concept.
You saw Vicky play at…
1996: New Year’s Eve, at The Pink Elephant (The Oberoi Grand).
1997-2005: The Sunday jam at Anticlock (The HHI), in those days with Ash Roy (now of Jalebee Cartel fame). From 1999, he bagged Saturday nights too.
2006-2009: Venom opened and Bunty asked him to rule the console. In those days, there were no party deadlines and the music would ring out loud until the sunshine broke through the large glass windows of Venom.
2000-2010: The famous NYE parties by BTP’s Rikki Dewan. Playing to a crowd of 4,000 got him the recognition he was looking for.
2011: Started planning Myx while continuing his gigs. He got to know that Sourav’s, opposite Peter Cat, was for sale and things fell into place. In 2014, he opened dance-and-dine destination The Myx.
Picture: B. Halder
What’s your message for Vicky? Tell t2@abp
