Can I please go and change my shirt?” asked a very good-looking Zaeden when t2 caught up with the 20-year-old DJ in his room in Aauris, the Robinson Street hotel, a week ago. He was back in five minutes, sporting a black tee that showed off his inked arms. What followed next was a hilarious 40-minute session with the Gen-Y sensation called ZAEDEN!
What brings you to Calcutta?
This is my sixth visit to Calcutta. I love this place; honestly I feel Calcutta biryani kicks Hyderabadi biryani’s ass! I love having Shahi Tukda and Rosogolla, which I had for lunch. Personally, I loved tonight’s gig!
What drew you to DJing?
You really want me to tell my story? It’s going to be long…. Umm, so basically I started with trance music and I wanted passes for Markus Schulz and that was when I contacted this guy (points at his manager and friend Sudhanshu Tewari, who he calls Sud)! When I buzzed him, he said I was too young and hung up on my face. I was only 15 that time! But then my sister knew the owner of the club, so I entered VIP-style and met Markus Schulz. It was then that Sud got in touch, saying he had seen me there.... That’s how things fell into place. Regarding money or popularity, I seriously don’t care about anything but playing good music. Because if people make good music, people will come to you and you do not have to run after anything.
You are only 20 and the first Indian to feature on Hardwell On Air. How did it happen?
When I was studying in Bombay, my sister, who is a big Coldplay fan, asked me to remix Magic, so after making the remix I sent it to Sud and in two days I woke up in the morning to a screenshot by a guy who selects all the songs for Hardwell On Air. I was like ‘Bro, is that Photoshop?’ But no, it was happening! And that time I knew things are going to change.
Define your genre of music...
Honestly, I have been making a lot of progressive house lately but I want to tell people that the two tracks I am coming up this year are just not only dance music. It has a lot of guitar, piano… that’s what I want to do right now, focus on the pop industry and make radio-friendly tracks because EDM is f***ed bro!
You have an insane number of girl fans going gaga over you… explain the reason for the craze, apart from the music?
Nothing! (Smiles)
[Manager prompts, “His beard and jawline!”]
Have you ever been compared to Martin Garrix (Dutch DJ and composer) because he is so successful at 19?
Martin Garrix... well, he is just next level and I don’t consider myself anywhere near him. But comparing me to him is a good feeling. I have seen 15-year-olds following me and they compare me to this One Direction guy.... (Pauses to think)
Zayn Malik?
Ya, I do not like it even though he is really big! I do not like being compared to someone else.
Who are your friends in the industry?
Like other DJs? Umm, I am on really good terms with Rishabh from Lost Stories, Anish, Sartek… the scene with the Indian industry is that we guys support each other and help each other. I do not think there is any rivalry or competition.
Three things Zaeden cannot do without…
Sud, my family and my studio!
C’mon… like really?
Ya, I am a f***ing nerd. Did you not see me with specs?! (Laughs)
Which music festival would you a) love to play at b) just go to chill?
For chilling, I would love to go to Coachella, and if I want to play it’s Ultra Music Festival Miami.
Best gig till date?
Tomorrowland last year and Mare Nostrum in Valencia was the best in terms of festivals. In club show, probably Kitty Su Delhi last year.
A morning set or late-night set?
Morning set! Late-night is like every club, every day, so.... Also because my photographer gets very nice pictures of me during the morning (smiles).
What do you think is more challenging — doing an opening set or a closing set?
If I am opening for a big artiste then I will probably play a deep house set, which is challenging for me… actually I enjoy both.
A Cancerian trait that you have?
How do you know I’m a Cancerian? (Thinks) I think I am really hyper…
Upcoming big plans?
My second video is going to be with Lisa Haydon and she is tall as f***. I have my Euro tour coming up in July, so you will see where I am going to play (Grins). But I can tell you about one show where I will play, it is in Pacha Ibiza. I cannot say anything more, can’t tell you about Tomorrowland yet....
Snapchat id: snapzaeden
Wish him on: July 2
Candles on his cake: 20
Real name: Sahil Sharma
Artiste name: Zaeden, which means ‘out-of-the-box thinking’ in Latin
Your logo stands for: The logo is a triangle, and a part of the triangle is out... so ‘out of the box’.
Craziest thing a fan has done for you: I was in Jammu once and there was this fan, Ayesha, and she fainted when she saw me and I picked her up! Then there is this fan in Brazil who got my logo tattooed and that was crazy.
If you were to request a song, it would be: Depends on my mood. If it’s the end of the set, then Middle by DJ Snake; in the middle of the set, then I Wanna Know.
Comfort food: I am not a foodie but I love Butter Chicken, Pepperoni Pizza and bacon. I f***ing love Bacon Sandwich!
Guilty pleasure song: Kabira, and Saari raat by a Pakistan band called Noori.
Someone you crush on: Umm, I like Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Jacqueline Fernandez.
Love, sex or one-night stand: Sex, one-night stand and then love!
Educational qualification: You wouldn’t want to know that! I was studying mass communication at Amity University and I dropped out and went to Bombay to complete my diploma in sound engineering and I quit because it was really bad.
Your inspiration: Armin (van Buuren), Markus Schulz, Avicii, Deadmau5 and Alesso. But my favourite DJ right now is
DJ Snake!
FANSPEAK
Zaeden is young and plays all the new happening tracks! He is really cute. I follow him on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and the best part about him is he is very approachable on Facebook. Like if you comment, he replies. So in that way his fans mean a lot to him — Anwesha Mukherjee, a “crazy Zaeden fan” who was in Mumbai and missed his Calcutta gig
Zaeden is so young and has such a vibe that you cannot help but dance. Tonight his set was so fresh with all the latest tracks!
— PR professional Shaby Quli
Pramita Ghosh
Black Lounge pictures: Anindya Shankar Ray
What makes you a Zaeden fan? Tell t2@abp.in
