I started playing music back in the day, around 2014. I was doing a residency at a club named Bottles & Chimney in Hyderabad. Back then, I didn’t really have a stage name, & I was playing a lot of different genres as a club DJ. Somewhere down the line, I discovered my passion for electronic music & wanted to pursue it with a new identity. And in this pursuit of looking for one, I stumbled upon the word BLITHE. It’s actually a synonym for happy/ carefree, and it described my style of music & my personality on stage perfectly. It seemed like the right moniker for my project. It was soon after this, around 2016, that I picked up on producing music.
Questions
Q1. What inspires your music production and DJ sets?
They’re two entirely different emotions & routines for me. For example, my DJ sets are always based on the atmosphere & setting that I’m performing in. My sound may vary depending on my slot timing, the sound system of the club, and the DJs playing before or after me. While producing music, it’s all about expressing the depth of my emotions & something that has inspired me in recent times. It’s often an epiphany.
Q2. How do you stay motivated and continue pushing your creative boundaries in such a competitive industry?
Like everyone else, I have my days. Sometimes it gets difficult to stay focused & motivated with so much going on around. But my mantra has been pretty simple: to keep my head down, stick to my routine, keep hustling, & push my boundaries. I try not to give away my headspace to everything that’s happening around & beyond my control. Another thing that helps me a lot is finding a constant source of inspiration. Let me tell you, it comes in surprising waves; you just have to look for it and pay attention.
Q3. Can you discuss any memorable or standout moments of your career so far?
There are two particular moments that stand out; one of them was making my debut at an international music festival, Sea You, in Germany during my 2022 Euro Tour. It was an incredible feeling to perform on an international platform alongside some of the industry heavyweights. Another one has to be from my debut EP release, which made it to the top 5 on the Beatport indie dance charts. It feels great to watch a dancefloor come alive to your tune.
Q4. Do you have any favourite venues or cities to perform at, and if so, why?
I mean, there are definitely some great venues across the country with a good system & setting to perform in. But sometimes a good dance floor or party could be at surprising locations. Some of my wildest floor moments come from small, intimate gigs. I love performing for & exploring new dancefloors around the world.
Q5. Can you highlight any particular challenges you faced as a DJ/producer and how you overcame them?
Personally, I feel the biggest challenge that anyone can face in this industry is to keep going. We all, at some point, are low on morals, lose faith in the system, & start questioning our craft. It messes with our headspace. There was a point in the beginning of 2019 where I was so close to giving this all up. I had lost faith & just wanted to give up. If it weren’t for my family & crew, who had my back, gave me reassurance and faith in that moment to keep pushing through, & believed in my vision, I wouldn’t be here today. Here’s to all of them, cheers!
Q6. How does your taste in music influence your DJ sets?
Musically, the most important thing for me has always been acceptance. I come from a chain of thought where I listen to and celebrate all styles & genres of music. There are days when I wake up and put on jazz or some Indian classical music. I love listening to hip-hop and r&b music while training. I grew up listening to alternative rock & pop. I’ve always been very open & receptive to music, and all those influences reflect in the music that I play & my sets. They’re always a cumulative of mixed bags of grooves & genres.