Two-time winner of the World DMC Championship (India), and ranked by Food & Nightlife as one of India’s Top Ten DJs – Fairtilizer interviews B.R.E.E.D aka DJ Nasha, and gets an Exclusive Dubstep track ‘CRAZY’ + Midtempo/Glitch mix “UNBOUND” available for free download below:

With gems under your belt like Flute Fantasy on Buddha Bar VII, to breaking your Dubstep remix of Jalebee Cartel’s Mirrors from Nu Asian Soundz into the Top 10 Charts on Beatport, what projects are you working on next in your Mumbai studio?

Presently, I am focusing heavily on promoting my second DJ and production name, B.R.E.E.D. I am using this name strictly for underground, bass-heavy, experimental electronic music, which is where my current production interest lies. I am finishing up several tracks for different collaborations and labels under this name, which are mostly being promoted through the U.S., but will release world wide on the web. Currently my single on High Chai Recordings, (USA), is releasing on July 26th, EXCLUSIVELY on Beatport. The single will feature “Sound Killer,” a B.R.E.E.D original, which breathes true depth and electronic variation and a B.R.E.E.D remix of Juakali’s “Come from Yard.” A remix I am working on of Nucleya’s “Kandhit Nayaka” has even brought me towards developing my own genre called ‘Stomp,’ which combines mid-tempo beats with offbeat Indian street rhythms. Additionally, as Nasha I am preparing for the release of several tracks in India, which feature artists Ustad Sultan Khan, U. Rajesh and Kailash Kher. There are a variety of different projects taking place right now in my studio, of all different types and with a variety of different artists. It is an exciting time!

You’ve been involved with producing & deejaying every style from Bollywood to underground Bass music, what do you think it will take to reduce the gap between the acceptance of mainstream vs. offshore music in India?

I personally feel that in order to reduce the gap between the acceptance of mainstream music and offshore music in India, there must be a nation-wide acceptance and embrace towards personal creativity and individuality. I truly feel that until India as a nation learns to value and understand creativity and uniqueness, there will only be very limited scope for artists who are pursuing offshore musical paths. This is because the nation as a whole clings to what is familiar and what it has known for years and generations, (i.e. Bollywood music, Bhangra, etc), and therefore the most money and investments are made towards these types of mainstream events. Until Indians appreciate and reward those individuals who dare to be different and are successful in doing so, the gap between mainstream and offshore will remain. And event organizers will not put any money into offshore music events until this gap is diminished.

As someone who has been an instructor catering to the booming interest in deejaying across India, what advice would you give to up-and-coming selectors in the evolving digital age of discovering & playing music? Where do you stand with the whole vinyl vs. mp3 debate?

In today’s digital age, I believe there is a wealth of information, music, creativity and inspiration to be found on the internet. One can learn just about anything through the tools on the internet now, thus increasing the level of competition in a field such as music, production and DJ-ing. Therefore, my advice to up and coming DJs and producers is this; tap into online and available resources, deeply. One should look beyond what they see or hear immediately in their environment. Step outside the box. Thoroughly explore what artists are doing world wide on a frequent basis, and decide what your style is and how you are going to go about achieving that style. Look further. When you find the style or music you love, go with it and give it your all. Due to the massive amount of artists worldwide trying to break into the music field, it is extremely important to; 1) be up to date, 2) be knowledgeable about new technology and about what other artists are doing, 3) produce results and performances of very high quality, 4) be confident, professional and sure about who you are and what your goals are, 5) be creative, unique, and distinctive among the masses and, 6) learn basic music composition and theory to enhance your knowledge of production, melodies, and rhythms.

As two-time World DMC Champion India, I have always loved vinyls. But unfortunately, today’s technology has forced me to move away from lugging my record bag around anymore. And as much as I miss lugging my vinyls around with me, there are also a lot of advantages to the mp3 technology, and for me, mostly that is, 1) creativity in how I present tracks in a set, and 2) that I am able to play my own production within my set whenever I please. As a producer in India, I am not able to cut my tracks on vinyl, therefore wav or mp3 are much better options in introducing my tracks. The art of vinyl will never die, and I think it can be used carefully and artfully in a set, but it may be more practical in a country where you can update your collection regularly and conveniently. As a compromise, I encourage DJs to scratch and spin records through the assistance of Serato or Traktor, which allow some vinyl feel along with the enormous advantages of new technology.

Considering the time you’ve spent traveling everywhere from New York to London to draw from musical inspiration from foreign scenes, do you think the Internet has become a comparable substitute to facilitate this discovery process?

The Internet has become a great source for individuals to seek new styles and inspirations from scenes all over the world. There is no doubt about that. And I do feel that because of the Internet people definitely have greater knowledge of the various genres and events taking place worldwide. However, I do have to say that as much as the Internet has provided this incredible insight in people’s lives, there is still a lot of value in actually traveling to these places and experiencing for yourself. One can find and explore the great happenings around the world, and they can see it all through “YouTube” and “Vimeo”. But from personal experience, I feel that when I personally attended and played at club events, parties, and festivals abroad, I came away with a complete understanding of what the real “vibe” was. The energy that you see and feel at these events is indescribable and I am not sure that you can grasp that on the Internet. If one doesn’t have the option of traveling, then the Internet can provide much useful insight. But if you can travel, then you can really experience the energy and creativity that is put into the music and events and the level of appreciation is enormous.

What online tools and platforms are you using these days to promote and broadcast your music from India to the rest of the world?

I am currently using a mixed cocktail of platforms and online tools for promotion of my music. Of course, Facebook is a huge platform, which helps me to reach out to the greatest amount of people of every background. I can promote my music and events on Facebook. I also use Myspace in the same regard. Fairtilizer and Soundcloud allow for an infinite number of people to hear my tracks and mixes. These tools are focused on music only, and it allows my music to be heard by anyone, which opens the door to greater opportunities. I recently joined Fairtilizer and I am really excited by the outcome so far. It has allowed me to post my mix and receive fan emails. It also shows me which country each fan is coming from which is really interesting to see.

Any artists, labels, and websites on your radar you would like to share with our readers?
In terms of international artists, I have kept people like Freq Nasty, Flying Lotus, Randomer and Dr. P on my radar as I love to follow their latest works and I draw inspiration from their styles. There is a huge number of artists who are creating amazing work today. These are just a few. In terms of fellow supporting artists and labels in my network, check:
http://www.nucleya.com,
http://www.juakalimusic.com,
http://www.highchairecordings.com,
http://www.shivasoundsystem.co.uk,
http://www.generationbass.com,
http://www.shaairandfunc.com and
http://www.kusharora.com.

B.R.E.E.D Fairtilizer Profile
B.R.E.E.D/DJ Nasha Website