The 352nd episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer SEQU3L.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
Hello Mitch, I am 30, Living in beautiful city ‘Pune’ in India. I started Djing in 2004 so that makes it 12 years and I guess I’m producing music for over 10 years now.
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
My musical roots come from my family, my dad being Indian classical musician we had various musical instruments in my house while I was growing up, however he does not do music for a living. My first memories of electronic music are very clear, a friend gifted me Fatboy Slim album ‘ You’ve Come a Long way Baby’ that really inspired me, I think Tiesto’s ‘Lethal Industry’ Video I saw on MTV one afternoon after back from school was the moment I told myself ‘This is what I want to do’
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
Producing music came to me very naturally after couple of years of djing. My Dj career was really taking off & I was studying at the same time, which really didn’t allow me to leave my city, most of the Audio Engineering Institutes were based out of my hometown. I had no other option but to install some softwares and start experimenting, so I am pretty much self taught. I remember my very talented Producer/Dj friend ‘Tally’ gave me some really good tips and material when I just started, that was all the help I got to start my journey.
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
I guess finishing up a track is the most difficult part of production process, especially if you are a perfectionist. The part that comes really easy for me is gathering ideas and starting new tracks, I can literally start a new track every day haha! Building up drums, bassline & melodies comes naturally and easy to me. Like every musician I have my share of creative blocks, I have figured a way out by simply taking a break, getting out of the house for some fresh air, and doing anything that inspires me in general.
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
My day starts really early, first thing I grab some breakfast and get some exercise. After that I power up my studio and make music, 90% of my music projects were started in the morning. Rest of the day is just filled with some more producing, cooking, updating collection for gigs, checking promos, emails etc.
I consider myself very lucky that I have been able to live just by doing my art & never had to take up another job outside music, I do however get invited to do guest lectures at Audio Engineering Schools few times, so teaching Music Production is something I do whenever I can find extra time.
Since past year or so I have really developed love for Aeromodelling and RC. So when I am not working on music I am probably out flying or building my airplane models. it’s a perfect distraction for me. I love to spend time and go travelling with my gf, cooking, etc.
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
I grew up listening to lot of genres like Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic etc but sadly these days I hardly find any time to listen and explore music outside the electronic spectrum. I guess that has a lot to do with me doing music full time for a living. But I try my best and load up lot of classical, piano and ambient music albums to listen while travelling.
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
The First cassette I ever bought was Metallica S&M, The last 2 Cd’s I bought were various compilations on which my music was featured. Markus Schulz – Buenos Aires’13 & ‘Unleash The Beat vol 3 by Jes’
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
Mmmm.. that would prob be the fact that I started my dj career playing lot of old school Hip Hop music along with House. I guess that was something that came with the residencies I took up with various clubs when I just started, haha!
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
These times when the industry is flooded with so much amazing talent a lot of producers get overlooked, which is very sad.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
I am constantly inspired by lot of new producers, but one person that has been giving me consistent source of inspiration from the very start is ‘Jerome Isma-Ae’ I just love the precision and tension in his music. There is also Martin Roth, Jeremy Olander, Jamie Stevens, Hunter Game, &me, Patrice Baumel, Sonic Future & the list is really huge to accommodate here. 🙂
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
I think the success I have received over few years with my productions is being versatile. And by that I mean, just going in the studio and making music by heart, writing music as you feel without a second thought of trying to fit into certain genres/styles/trends. I think as an artist the best will come out of you when you will free yourself of all pressures.
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
Oh man! This has to be the most difficult question to answer. I think the last track for the night won’t ever be the last track and the night would be endless. But the tracks would probably be ‘Three Drives – Greece 2000 & Jay Lumen – High Intensity’
‘Timelapse’ is out now on Juicebox Music, you can purchase the release: here
