Wild City

Those of you familiar with Rohit Tandon aka Sepoys' monthly 'Verdura Vibes' podcast on boxout.fm may associate him with soothing jazz-leaning tracks, lo-fi hip hop and relaxing downtempo mixes. As a producer, however, Sepoys is very much inclined towards making liquid drum 'n' bass. That's not to say it's very hard-hitting d'n'b either. His unique strain of liquid drum 'n' bass comes with ambient overtones and distinct melodic lines, occasionally making way for jungle. The Vancouver-based Indo-Canadian producer, DJ and art director, previously based in Goa, started out as a scratch DJ, before getting into house, downtempo and lounge. The liquid d'n'b that defines his sound is only a fairly recent development and one that he's getting quite skilled at. Intricately designed, Sepoys' productions are informed by engaging beats and immersive atmospheres. His mix for Wild City comprises largely of his own releases, with infrequent interjections by tracks from India-based drum 'n' bass artists Watashi, Crash Comet

Tasnneem's mix for Wild City is a ball of sunshine and monsoons all at the same time. It bears an inexplicable warmth, which comes from the soulful, melodic deep house that dominates the set, but offers shades of contemplative, deep moods and ambiences that are somewhat bright and dark at the same time. Such a compilation of tracks is typical of Tasnneem, who owes her success as a DJ primarily to this warm, melodic, and disparate energy she brings to her sets – offering music both as an escape, and as a dance reckoning. A lush, ambient track with a saturated, emotive atmosphere sets the mood for the rest of the mix, which remains downtempo and ambient. However, that doesn't mean this set can exclusively be enjoyed sitting at home – there's an undeniable danceable quality throughout the mix, which comprises of tracks by the likes of Modd, Christian Loeffler, George X and more, making this the ideal sundowner set. For tracklist and further info: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/10821-wild-city-162-tasnneem

It's festival season in India right now. No, not because of Diwali and any other religious holidays – we're talking music festivals. Nearly every weekend until January is jam-packed with fresh sounds, both from India and from around the world. Tucked away in this onslaught of music festivals is a British act that's been slowly but conspicuously growing and exploding, from lunchtime spliffs and musical conversations by teenagers on London's Hampstead Heath to Grammy nominations and gold-selling albums. We're obviously talking about the dynamic duo Zero 7, whose Sam Hardaker is playing an exclusive DJ set at Disrupt Festival this weekend in Mumbai. Zero 7's artist bio aptly sums up their career in the first line: “From backroom bods to the Hollywood Bowl, from tiny specialist shops to a million-selling album, from using more singers than a Broadway musical and trucking on regardless, Zero 7’s story has always been about thinking that little big bigger.” What it fails to give, however, is a feel of Zero 7 and

Tastemaker, selector, curator or “your favourite DJ's favourite DJ” is how Lefto is most often described. Each of those descriptions is nothing if not accurate, and Lefto is one of the few who have indisputably earned those titles. The Belgian DJ and producer is one of the most important tastemakers around the world – perhaps his record collection, over 15,000-strong, has something to do with it – and also one of the most respected. One only has to listen to one of his sets (like his mix for Wild City below) to see why. Firmly rooted in jazz and hip-hop, Lefto cultivated his digging sensibilities while working at Belgium's legendary Music Mania record store in his hometown Brussels. A resident on Belgium's leading radio station Studio Brussel since the 90s, Lefto has been a custodian of sorts for new music, and is always one to look ahead and actively seek out new music from all over the world. Lefto is renowned for his wonderfully eclectic sets – different each time – which seamlessly switch between hip-h

Wild City's 159th mix might be the most cohesive one yet. It sounds less like a mix than the soundtrack to an imaginary, otherwise silent sci-fi film. In many ways, it's like an aural film on its own, a sonic journey with a thrilling, intriguing narrative directed by Varun Desai aka Yidam. The Kolkata-based artist, who makes different kinds of music under multiple monikers – 5Volts, Yidam and VvvvV – achieves a transcendental quality with this seamless mix, melting one track into another without revealing the slightest clue. Were this not explicitly defined as a mix, with a tracklist, it might beguile you into thinking it's a single track, or a singular concept album. Yidam effortlessly (so it seems, though we reckon it comes from careful, precise deliberation and effort) stitches together an interstellar soundtrack, using his own, original tracks and borrowing from ambient music stalwarts like Mat Jarvis' High Skies, Ash Ra Tempel, and the cult ambient classics, The Orb. To even call this mix a soundtrack

People really like to throw around the phase “age is just a number”. It is just a number, but when it comes to Veer Kowli, it's nearly impossible to ignore, for he's all of 17 years old. The Mumbai-based teenager, who's still in 11th grade (this may be a cue for the rest of us to give our own lives a long, hard look), has already dabbled in design and film. Most impressive and renowned, however, is his musical alter-ego Chrms. As Chrms, the young electronic producer makes feel-good, RnB inspired tracks with ambient and future bass influences, including conspicuous traces of producers who have inspired him - names such as Flume, Mr Carmack and Odesza. What's more, the high-schooler – who apparently started producing when he was just 9 – already has an extensive discography that includes over 23 tracks. Chrms' mix for Wild City can best be summarised as an hour-long introduction to the unpretentious, enthusiastic persona of the producer and a comprehensive look into the musical space he aspires to occupy. J

Pablo Valentino isn't exaggerating when he says his sets span across genres. His reputation as a tastemaker precedes him, as does his notoriety for breaking sound barriers. The French producer, DJ and owner of the MCDE and FACES imprints has been behind the console for over two decades. Part of his appeal on the dance floor owes largely to his voracity for collecting records, an activity that has consumed most of his life. The distinct musical patterns he weaves as he spins tunes that vary from jazz, funk and hip-hop to disco, house and techno are distinguishable for the primary ingredient he seeks in music – soul. As Pablo gears up for his 3-city tour of India, which commences tonight in New Delhi, he put together Wild City's 157th mix. Pablo's entire genre-spanning legacy is culminated into this single 1-hour compilation, which gets off to an energetic start with The S.T.U.D Band's straight-up funk and jazz track 'Success'. True to his words, these elements leave their mark on the rest of the mix, even a

To techno enthusiasts in Spain, it may seem like Fatima Hajji has been part of the dance music scene since forever. The Spanish DJ and producer has, after all, been honing her skills behind the console for nearly two decades. Though her musical taste and sound have evolved over the years, there has been one resolute element that has remained steadfast throughout all of Fatima's artistic endeavours – techno. Whether it's in her releases, her own labels or her sets at festivals and clubs around the world, she exhibits a tenacious love for the genre. Fatima is all set to kickstart her 3-city tour of India tomorrow, and as a sneak peek into what awaits her audience, she compiled Wild City's 156th mix. This set is not for the faint-hearted or casual listener – Fatima means serious business; it's apparent from the very first minute. Incredibly fast-paced and absolutely ruthless, the hour-long mix straddles the line between pure and hard techno, leaving no time for breathers. For further info, head here: http://w

Few producers in India are capable of making the dance floor as hypnotic as dotdat. His secret is a dark, ambiguous strain of minimal techno that reaches deep inside the trenches of your mind and body; you could call it almost meditative. He made his debut at an Odd Recordings showcase in Barcelona in 2017 and it's his nuanced art that is the driving force behind dotdat's eminence as a producer. His latest mix for Wild City, featuring artists such as Shlomi Aber, Architectural and Dario Zenker, offers an insight into dotdat’s current mood and inspiration. He maintains high energy throughout the mix as he seamlessly transitions from one track to the other. Intelligent and deep techno converge for a subliminal interaction of the senses. For further info and tracklisting head here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/9801-wild-city-155-dotdat

Anushka Menon is a photographer by profession. She has however been associated with the Indian electronic music scene since 2015 - first performing with DJ partner AGENT as ANU$HKA + AGENT. Having been playing solo for over a couple of years now - she’s got a number of key shows under her belt - including Burning Man Festival in 2015 and festivals across India. Wild City #154 by Anushka, fluctuates between house, afro house and disco - featuring tracks by artists such as Sharam Jey, Softball and Mella Dee. A hour-long insight into Anushka’s favourite tracks past and present and signalling her appetite for music full of heart and soul. For further info and tracklisting head here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/9394-wild-city-154-anu-hka

Recorded live on the 11th anniversary of Record Store Day at Wild City, New Delhi. An internationally recognised event Record Store Day now spans dozens of countries and countless cities. Conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate and spread the word about this distinctive and culture. In partnership with boxout.fm, we recorded sets vinyl-only sets from Ani Phoebe, Rikki Kher (Kardo), Jamblu and Boxout Soundsystem.

Recorded live on the 11th anniversary of Record Store Day at Wild City, New Delhi. An internationally recognised event Record Store Day now spans dozens of countries and countless cities. Conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate and spread the word about this distinctive and culture. In partnership with boxout.fm, we recorded sets vinyl-only sets from Ani Phoebe, Rikki Kher (Kardo), Jamblu and Boxout Soundsystem.

Recorded live on the 11th anniversary of Record Store Day at Wild City, New Delhi. An internationally recognised event Record Store Day now spans dozens of countries and countless cities. Conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate and spread the word about this distinctive and culture. In partnership with boxout.fm, we recorded sets vinyl-only sets from Ani Phoebe, Rikki Kher (Kardo), Jamblu and Boxout Soundsystem.

Recorded live on the 11th anniversary of Record Store Day at Wild City, New Delhi. An internationally recognised event Record Store Day now spans dozens of countries and countless cities. Conceived in 2007 as a way to celebrate and spread the word about this distinctive and culture. In partnership with boxout.fm, we recorded sets vinyl-only sets from Ani Phoebe, Rikki Kher (Kardo), Jamblu and Boxout Soundsystem.

Hailing from Gujarat, New Delhi based Jay Pei has come to represent a mature sound within the confines of techno. His delicate production style is revelating of a minimal, liquid strain of club music - often hypnotic; inspired by some of his favourites including artists such as Mind Against, Recondite and Gardens Of God. The latest mix by Jay Pei features a similar arrangement - artists who have been inspiring him to make music since 2013; CTF, Patrice Baumel, VII Circle and Fideles. The mix revels in dark melodies associative of his sophisticated sound. Mixed with utmost precision, the mix is a gateway to the subliminal interaction of the senses. For tracklisting head here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/8689-wild-city-152-jay-pei

Now based in New Delhi, VridianMusic is the shared moniker of producers Vir Rattan Chowdhry and Sidhant Jain. The duo has been producing electronic dance music together, since the inception of their project last year. Associated with the various spectrums of house and techno, VridianMusic aspires to produce, what they like to call ‘emotive electronic music’. Their mix echoes a similar sentiment; with music from Allies For Everyone, Musumeci, and the two-man live-project Doyeq with who’s track, the mix opens. A smooth transition from minimal techno to IDM, finishing off with higher energy tracks from Rauschhaus & PHCK and, Affkt-Txuribeltz; this mix by VridianMusic is subliminal in the craft that is has been put together with. All those scouring the internet for subtle dance music; almost liquid in nature, search no further. For more information and a tracklist go here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/8350-wild-city-151-vridianmusic

26-year-old Arman Menzies played the guitar as part of the metal band Goddess Gagged before diving into electronic music production. He currently produces music for the dance floor as Zokhuma with selections that range from raw electronic acid breaks to African inspired beats. For our 150th in the series, Zokhuma offers us an hour of dance music that opens with one of Octo Octo’s darker, heavier texture-laden tracks before succumbing to one of Panthera Krause’s uplifting clutters titled, Stonith. Two of Zokhuma’s unreleased tracks also make a feature in the mix; alongside others from artists such as Drexciya, Gaunt and Botine before finishing off into a serenading dub by Axel Boman. For more information and a tracklist go here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/7980-wild-city-150-zokhuma

Formerly known as Sleepwalker, Small Town Guy - aka Shantanu Ghosh hails from the coastal town of Pondicherry. Known for his dancefloor selections which are not confined by genre, his sets are a hybrid between nu disco and techno with slight world-music influences. Having performed at GO:MADras, Shanti Jatra and Future Theory - and as an active promoter in Pondicherry - Small Town Guy is slowly gaining traction as one of India’s leading curators who is constantly experimenting and re-inventing dance floor music. His latest mix for Wild City merges disco with hints of techno and funk and through the course of an hour features tracks from the likes of Psychemagik, Afrolicious and Stavroz - representing various areas of the dance music spectrum, that interest him. Following is a mix that merges Psychedelic disco encapsulated into peak time house bangers. For more information and a tracklist go here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/7328-wild-city-149-small-town-guy

Rohan Kalé is a New Delhi based producer and DJ who has a deep-rooted love for D&B and jungle. As Radio Program Manager at Boxout.fm, Rohan is one who sculpts sounds for different environments - the club, the home, the car - the former is the area in which he is most widely known, laying down dark and arresting sets - captivating bass music heads across the country. As expected his mix for Wild City is an hour long meditation into a trajectory guided by his love for liquid drum and bass sounds... Starting off slow and steady it kicks off with UK based producer Stray and, gradually swivels towards drum n bass and jungle influenced sounds from the likes of Instra:mental, Commix, Bop and French producer Naibu. For more information and a tracklist go here: http://www.thewildcity.com/mixes/6930

Either as zzz or Three Oscillators or part of the collective Jwala, since Brij Dalvi popped up, he’s arrested our attention. The Mumbai-based producer has been creating some of the most left-field electronica in this country. His idiosyncratic take on music, one that’s became very distinctive in a field flooded with unoriginality, has been refreshing to listen to. Tracks like ‘Coca Cola’ have gained attention internationally, contributions to Jwala compilations and his collaborations with Multani and hollow have been nothing short of exciting. His hour-long mix takes you through a journey of the Brij’s unconventional tastes. He tends to float through genres effortlessly going from glitch-hop and bringing in soul samples before diverting into Three Oscillators originals.. For more information and a tracklist go here: http://www.thewildcity.com/EN/music.xhtml/article/13227-wild-city-147-brij-three-oscillators