‘Music is about evolution’
Major Lazer comprises iconic music producer Diplo, Jillionnaire and Walshy Fire. They will be live tonight at Dhanchiri Camp, Gurgaon
Major Lazer comprises iconic music producer Diplo, Jillionnaire and Walshy Fire. They will be live tonight at Dhanchiri Camp, Gurgaon
Major Lazer, a musical project originally created by legendary record producers Diplo and Switch and now comprising Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, is all set to bring Mad Decent Bloc Party to the capital, and to India, for the very first time today. “We just felt like we want to build here,” the trio tell us over an email interview as they explain their decision to turn to India as the music festival’s next big destination. “The big revolution is happening and India is riding the wave! Our local promoters Sunburn have been doing some insane stuff here and that is a perfect match with our vision for Mad Decent Bloc,” they affirm and add, “India is an industrial warehouse. Every top producer wants to play here and gain more momentum with the fans. Today, it is considered one of the top music destinations in the world and I think every Indian should be proud of this massive development.”
Ask them what fans can look forward to from their performance at the fest and they share, “It’s like a concoction of mainstream electronic and hip-hop music with influences from the past and present styles of electro, moombahton, dancehall, dubstep, trap, etc. Along with that, some kickass visual artistry, theatrical stage tactics, distilled line-up and family-friendly aesthetic. And not just us, Big Gigantic, Gorgon City, Giraffage are all ready with amazing music on their first time visit to this country too. What you can expect is the tasteful concoction of a music festival and the ultimate hangout!”
Since they’ve been around for as long as they have in the music industry, in what ways have they experienced the evolution of EDM and music producing as an art over the years “Electronic dance music started off as very underground. There was a movement called ‘disco sucks’ back then - it was a shame to like disco, but then there was no music to dance to and that gave rise to the DJ cult following. Back in the days we all played vinyl records, so even when you knew the track, you couldn’t get it. Everything was very exclusive. That’s the big difference with nowadays, because when a DJ jams to a track you already know what it is, and then right away you have the song in your phone or your laptop. The old days were a very magical period because the DJ played a track and people said ‘I know this track,’ but still couldn’t find it. That was very special. Today, electronic music belongs to a global youth culture and its accessibility is a big part of its allure. Any kid can pick up a laptop and make music now,” he points out.
Ask them if they’ve noted any corresponding changes in their own musical identity and sensibilities and they are quick to respond, “Honestly, we now understand that so much of our EDM stuff is just so disposable. And we’re actually quite happy that we’ve moved more towards song writing now, because we’ve had an audience for a long time. We feel like you have to evolve, we can’t still be making the same records now that we were making when Pon De Floor came out or when the last album came out. Music is all about evolution. We as music producers have to keep figuring out what the next big thing is, and how to move towards it as opposed to just being like, ‘Oh cool let’s just continue making tear out EDM hits that are going to last 2 months and then somebody else will be making the exact same thing under a different name. Major Lazer might have a chance to be really big and represent something unbelievable for a lot of kids. Our crowd’s really young. I think our music represents something really new to them.”
Like any other genre, EDM has had its naysayers too, some of whom have a big name of their own in the music industry...what has the trio’s experience with and response to the naysaying been like over the years “Good music is going to be good music,” they say simply and add, “For one thing, you’ve got to understand that the music industry is different from the critic industry — the writers and the people that are talking about what is on trend or whatever. When you’re doing music, you’re always on trend or off trend, and it’s important to just keep going and show people respect no matter what.”
Since this isn’t Diplo’s first trip to India, no interview would be complete without asking him about Major Lazer’s engagement with the country as well as it’s music. “I think the classical side to Indian music is just phenomenal. It’s just so de-stressing! We’d like to do more stuff with Indian producers if there’s a natural vibe and connect,” Diplo says. Ask him what plans the collective has for this India trip besides their performance and he tells us enthusiastically, “Ah yes, we have visits to the Taj Mahal, Gateway of India and a few more planned if we get some time off. We are also definitely trying some of those spicy curries again!”