NUCLEYA

What music do you expect at a Ganpati visarjan in Mumbai? Amped up Bolly stuff obviously. But bass heavy electronic artiste Nucleya decided only to retain the amped up bit and launch his new EP, Bass Rani, on the streets of Mumbai. It’s a killer effort, living up to the cool factor of his earlier EP,  Koocha Monster. 

The Delhi-based Udyan Sagar aka Nucleya will share his musical journey from Akkad Bakkad on Koocha Monster to F**k Nucleya on Bass Rani at Bacardi NH7 Weekender on Saturday. 

But first, here’s what the 36-year-old told t2 over email.

Koocha Monster to Bass Rani — has Nucleya shifted gears?

Koocha Monster was an idea which I took to another level with Bass Rani. I designed almost each and every bit in Koocha Monster myself but with Bass Rani I did some really cool collaborations and from which I got to learn a lot too. Koocha Monster was a bit more aggressive while Bass Rani is a bit more groovy and futuristic, I feel. Also I have grown and matured as an artiste, which perhaps also reflects on the new album.

What made you release Bass Rani at a Ganpati visarjan? And the response?

The response was outstanding. There was a sea of people and everyone enjoyed it a lot. There were people of all age groups — right from the elderly to kids — the energy was high all throughout and there was a very positive vibe amongst everyone. I have always wanted to play at the Ganesh festival. I feel like my music is perfect for it and luckily for me, this time my album release date and the festival dates coincided, hence my management helped me with organising the launch at the festival. I think we will do it again next year!

Your music captures the beauty in the madness of India. Was travelling a big part of the ideation process?

Travelling is important, but not the most important thing for me. I usually need my corner away from all the chaos and noise. That really helps me ideate and come up with new thoughts. When I am in the studio making music, I am literally dancing myself, almost like how a regular person would dance to his favourite DJ at a concert. That flow of energy is vital for me, and that's why I prefer to stay in my own little world when I need to make music. 

Does the music from Bengal interest you?  

I love Bangla music. I will see if there is a possibility to record with someone there... while I am there. I made a song (Bangla Bass, 2012) with Brooklyn Shanti and Mou Sultana. We did a great song together. 

Your music can make a big difference to Bollywood....

I have done a bit of work in the Indian film industry, but nothing that I am proud of... honestly. I am beginning  to get some good projects now and I think we are just about to sign a new project with one of the biggest filmmakers in India.

What does your son think of your music? Is he Guri Gangsta on the credits for the song Aaja (from Bass Rani)? And who’s behind the brilliant cover?

My son loves some of my songs. When I am in the studio making music, we dance together! And yes he is called Guri Gangsta on the credits and on his social media too. We, in fact, wanted to create a female version of Koocha Monster, for which my wife Smriti has done the designing. She does this for all my other artworks as well and had done an incredible job. I often tell her that her artwork is better than my music!

And how did you come up with your onstage name Nucleya?

There is no logic behind it really. It was my email password back in the days (laughs).

Quick-draw Nucleya

If asked to play at a wedding: Talk to my management!
Favourite toy: I like video games.
Crazy fan moment: A bunch of guys followed me for about 3km after I finished my gig, just for a picture. That was crazy but sweet too.

I like Nucleya because.... Tell t2@abp.in

NICHOLSON

A few weeks ago, ideas man Swapan Seth wrote in his t2 column: “I try and listen to a new voice every day. But in more recent times, the one voice that has dazzled me completely is a Bombay guy called Nicholson. Listen to his song called Cold Water. It will give you goosebumps. It has to be the most astonishing Western voice to ever come out of India.”

That’s a fairly accurate description of Sohrab Nicholson, who always works with drummer/producer Rohan Ramanna. 
Before you experience the relaxed, warm vocals of the 29-year-old at Bacardi NH7 Weekender, t2 caught up with him.

What do you want people to take away from your music?

A feeling. The idea behind our show is to take people through different genres and styles so as to evoke a feeling of some sort. Whatever that might be….

From the EP For What to Cold Water, musically how different are the two?

It’s sort of a natural progression of sorts. I co-write and produce all my music with Rohan Ramanna who is also a beat-maker/drummer. We’re experimenting a lot more with samples lately.... Because there are two of us at the drawing board, our sound is sort of a culmination of what we’re both listening to, feeling, experiencing at the time.
We are essentially making electronic music; so much of the writing is in the orchestration. 

Lately, you are being introduced as the “next big thing”. What does this mean to you?

I pay little to no attention by mostly focusing on making music. There has been a lot of kind press, which has been wonderful, and we’re really grateful for it, but people’s opinions can keep changing. The idea is for us to be really happy with what we put out. We can’t really control how people feel about it post-that. But, if we love it, chances are someone else will.

Recently you posted a picture of your first keyboard on Facebook: Casio, Kermit the Frog edition! Is music something you always wanted to pursue?

I don’t know about always wanting to pursue it, but I certainly had a very keen interest at a really young age because there was a piano at home. As far as arriving at my sound, I don’t think we’ve fully arrived yet… but I started arriving at it on meeting and working with Rohan Ramanna on the first EP.

The time you spent at St. Francis Xavier University (Canada) was dedicated to jazz piano. Does the experience make you look at electronica differently?

Most certainly. I knew quite quickly I was never going to be a jazz musician. However, I also knew that my four years at music school would expose me to a huge vocabulary I wouldn’t have otherwise. Having been around that much jazz for four years has definitely shaped the way I construct harmonies on the synth.

Nicholson’s five fave indie acts

Sandunes: Simply the most cutting edge female artiste in the country.
Peter Cat Recording Co.: There are too many reasons!
The Perfect Timing: Jivraj Singh and Sandunes’s new project, which isn’t fully out yet, but boy is it good. I’ve had sneak previews!
Frame/Frame: I recently heard Flutter and it’s spectacular.
Prateek Kuhad: Beautifully constructed songs. Saw him live properly for the first time at Ziro (the music festival in Arunachal Pradesh) and it was special.

Nicholson is on my playlist because.... Tell t2@abp.in