'Electronic dance music craze just started in India'

Booka Shade has been in the forefront of the global electronic music arena for over a decade and performing in India has always been a different experience for it. Berlin-based duo Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier say Indians are slowly taking interest in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals but will take time to catch up.

"Future of EDM has just started in India. We could see that the music that we play was not as known as we play in Europe or Australia or America. I think they (Indians) have to catch up with it. It is easier to get information on internet and hear songs and other stuff. But I think it's way up," Kammermeier told IANS on the sidelines of VH1's new Supersonic festival here.

He also feels that it's not just in India, EDM is getting bigger and better all over the world.

"It's getting bigger all over the world. For instance, rock bands are not as famous or people are not very much into rock music anymore. It's really funny that in all the big rock festivals in America, the big headliners are Electronic DJs. It is really weird, but I think it is the phenomenon all over the world and with every country," he added.

Booka Shade's music absorbs influences from all genres - classical, rock, jazz and films - which has arguably contributed to their wide appeal. Its contribution to electronic music across many genres since the 2004 "Memento" has seen them become dance music pioneers.

The Berlin pair went on to become highly sought-after remixers, lending their magic touch to artists such as Depeche Mode, Moby, Yello, Hot Chip, Kings Of Leon, Tiga, and The Knife. They earned a huge live reputation with their substantial and innovative live shows and in 2010 were named by Resident Advisor as one of the world's top five live acts.

It last played club gigs in India in cities like Delhi and Bangalore in 2012 and created the same magic again with its acts at the Supersonic festival.

And the duo fell in love with the "romanticism" of Goa.

The duo also feels that music binds people and nationality together and this is the reason why when it comes to dancing, "people are same everywhere".

"Internationally, when you go you will see people are very different but at the end of the day when it comes to dancing, celebration and having great time, people are all same everywhere. Mankind in general is same everywhere. In India, crowd is very lively and it was worth it performing," said Merziger.

Copyright  IANS

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