The first time we heard Nucleya or Udyan Sagar was as part of Bandish Projekt in the 1990s. His music evolved with India’s electronic-dubstep scene and before we knew it, India was dancing to his remix for Tigerstyle’s Kudi. Last year, he found more than just fame in the song Akkad Bakkad… he came up with a line (though the idea came from his wife) that resonates with youngsters –– ‘Nucleya bole f*** that shit’.

He tells t2 about his new EP and his December 15 gig at Breezer Dub Station for NH7 Weekender, in association with t2.

Your Koocha Monster EP tracks represent quite a soundscape. What was the thought while selecting the tracks?

I wanted to experiment with Indian street music, it is one style of music which all of us are very familiar with, but we only enjoy/dance to it when there is a festival. The energy in this music is immense, and with a slight touch of electronic music it becomes club-friendly too. This mix is something I haven’t done in the past.

At first, Chinnaponnu may sound like an odd choice as singer but the track (Bell Gadi) works beautifully. How did you first meet her and what is it about her music that you thought works?

I first saw her in a video someone posted on Facebook and I loved it. I approached my management and asked them to find her, so they did, and booked me a recording session in a studio in Chennai. She is an amazing artiste and working with her was unforgettable. We recorded four tracks in around one hour. Her voice is very energetic, original and melodious.

The Dewarists track Bangla Bass is on your EP as well. Has it been reworked?

Yes, this version of Bangla Bass has been reworked. Vocals are in the forefront in the original track, but I wanted to make a version in which bass would be at the forefront. This version does the latter.

New Delhi Nuttah featuring Delhi Sultanate; how did the track come about?

After I moved to Delhi, I learned a lot about dub and reggae music. There was and is a very strong dub/reggae scene which is headed by the Reggae Rajahs and BassFoundation whose lead singer is Taru aka Delhi Sultanate. I loved this style of music and wanted to make a bass-heavy track, which had reggae influence in it, so Delhi Sultanate and I got together and wrote this track.

Heavy basslines make your music. Tell us about the techniques you often implement...

The techniques are simple. I think the ideas in my tracks are unique. As far as electronic music is concerned, I keep things very simple. I play around a lot with how I want to arrange the track to make it sound unique.

Was there a moment when you decided to make music a full-time career?

I was very positive about this right from the beginning, but my father still made sure that I complete my MCA. I remember nothing about it now, though!

One line that has become a signature for the youth is “Nucleya bole f*** that shit” vocal samples on Akkad Bakkad. Any incident that led to the line?

This whole track was my wife Smriti’s idea, and she has sung on the track too. It started as a very fun track. We were just throwing ideas at each other and “f*** that shit” just clicked. It took me roughly three days to finish the track.

How do you define your signature sound?

My music is perhaps what the new urban Indian electronic dance music could possibly be. It has a very strong Indian connect and a very edgy electronic feel to it as well. This approach is very similar to what’s happening in the West with ‘global bass’ music. Global bass music is essentially bass music which has a very strong local music feel, and within that are a lot of other genres. So, I’d say my music falls under ‘global bass’.

The Pune edition of Bacardi NH7 Weekender was a blast. How would you make the Calcutta edition stand out?

I usually don’t plan such things, to be honest. But I will surely look for some cool Bangla tracks I can remix/work on for the Calcutta show.

Mathures Paul
What do you think of Nucleya’s music? Tell t2@abp.in

 

Sameer Kulavoor has lent a visual element to Bacardi NH7 Weekender, in association with t2

He is one of India’s most promising graphic designers. And he is the man behind the visuals that you will see at Bacardi NH7 Weekender. He’s also done music videos –– two for Pentagram and some artwork for the Indian group Zero. Sameer Kulavoor, 30, speaks to t2.

How do you approach your designs for Bacardi NH7 Weekender?

Every year we start fresh with a different theme. Our themes have a universal appeal but we also do keep in mind the indie music scene, the kind of people that come to Bacardi NH7 Weekender and the overall vibe of the festival that makes it special. We keep our graphic art very analogue and it all starts on the drawing board with a pencil and a paper.

In what ways has your work evolved over the last four years?

Every year we learn new things at the festival and we try to incorporate that in our graphic art approach for the following year. For example, in 2012 we had a wider theme based on plectrums (guitar picks). For 2013 we thought of developing art that is specific to stages, because each stage also has a different character. For example, the Dewarists stage is more folk and fusion, so we have incorporated and developed visual elements that lie in a similar zone (there are conches, Tibetan masks, tribal music instruments, and what not). Our understanding of each stage/genre and its evolution at Bacardi NH7 Weekender over the years has evolved!

I would like to tell the people of Calcutta to enjoy the visual experience (as much as you enjoy the music). There’s a lot of detail in the graphic art and design, so there’s never a dull moment!

Where do you find your visual inspiration for music projects?

There’s so much visual information –– in your surroundings, when you travel, in books, magazines, on the Internet, in your dreams. I guess it depends on how you observe things, imagine new things and what kind of connections you make to music (or to anything else for that matter). There are a lot of overlaps between (any) art and music.

Would you consider yourself more a graphic designer than an illustrator?

Both in equal measure. The illustrator in me helps the graphic designer side of me and vice versa.

The philosophy behind your company Bombay Duck Designs and some of its achievements is...

Simplicity of thought and execution is what we try and stick to. Bacardi NH7 Weekender has been challenging and I’m proud of the way it turns out year after year.

My book The Ghoda Cycle Project and the collaboration with (fashion designer) Paul Smith on a line of tees has been another highlight.

Indian illustrators you admire...

I admire the artisans/artists from pre-colonial India and the wealth of art and craft they have developed.

I also love the work of the Bombay Progressive Artists group (Husain, Raza, Souza) and the kind of change they brought about in Indian art.

Finally, what are you listening to?

A mix of Arctic Monkeys/ Tame Impala/ Bonobo. And local talents: Sandunes/ Your Chin.

MP
After being to NH7 Weekender, what would you like to tell Sameer Kulavoor? Tell t2@abp.in' t2@abp.in

NH7 Weekender ends today at Ibiza Resort (Merlin Greens). For information and tickets, visit NH7.in/weekender. You can book tickets at indianstage.in or ‘dial a ticket’ at +919243777970 or +919674211388. Season ticket: Rs 1,750. Single day ticket: Rs 1,000. Under-21 season ticket: Rs 1,000