Rohit Barker started off making radio a hobby about 13 years ago, simply because back then the money out there for the â€?profession’ was just about enough to cover gas costs to and from the studios.
From All India Radio, he went on to Channel V for a while as a VJ. From there, he had his first professional foray into radio when he moved to Radio Indigo and then moved on to Radio City for a couple of years. From Radio City, he left for Dubai FM. On his return from his desert sojourn to Bangalore, Rohit started to syndicate his own programming and airing it in Bangalore.
After a stint at Radio City for a while, Rohit is with Radio Indigo currently. Rohit Barker has also been DJ’ing for just over two years now, after standing behind a DJ console with Bangalore’s well know DJ and RJ Ivan for over a decade and hosting a radio show with him for about the same amount of time. Excerpts of an interaction which Radioandmusic.com’s Tarachand Wanvari had with Rohit Barker:
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Tell us something about Rohit Barker…
Ah…where do I begin? I think the best way I can sum myself up in a happy little bow would be to say that I’m mildly bent…nothing dangerous…just your basic garden variety. Oh! and did I mention that I have an underwear fetish…just kidding!
You have moved around quite a bit, but always seemed to have returned to international music – Channel V, Radio City, Radio Indigo, Radio City and again Radio Indigo – care to comment?
I always wanted to be in music and in entertainment. I’ve done television, radio, mc’ing, dj’ing – the whole nine yards. I think I move around a whole deal because I have a fair amount of gypsy blood in me. I’m always looking for a challenge and a fresh look at music and radio. The reason I did radio in Dubai and a bit in London was just to see if I could hit the ground running in two of the world’s most competitive markets. Some people go bungee jumping, sky diving etc…I get in front of a live microphone.
You have gone through the alphabet in music and entertainment in the last 13 years- MC to RJ to VJ and DJ and now onto programming, tell us some of your most interesting moments during each phase…….. What do you particularly like in each of these aspects of, shall we say control of music?
Honestly, there are so many happy anecdotes and experiences across the years that I should really write a book. Sadly most of them are less than PG, so I’m guessing we should stay away from those in this interview. Let’s just say that I love unisex green rooms. I’ve worked my way through the alphabet simply because each bit of presenting has its own challenges and rewards. And I wanted to experience it all. But through the decade and a half that I’ve been doing what I’ve been doing I can safely say that radio will always be my first love and my biggest passion.
How is it working with Ivan, any learnings?
Working with Ivan has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. Both professionally and personally. He is the consummate professional and a DJ who has shaped the dance music scene in the country. I spent a number of years behind a DJ console with him when I was a VJ and an MC and I learnt a passion and a technique for music and the pulse of an audience from him. I can credit Ivan and Nikhil Chinappa for me being a DJ today.
How different or similar is it working in India and abroad?
It’s hugely different working abroad, especially in radio. Radio is still an infant in India. But in places like Dubai and London, it’s a mature and a very competitive market. Some of the tricks of the trade that I have learnt are from working in those markets and listening, watching and learning from radio professionals there. Entertainment as a whole still has a long way to go in India.
Where do you see music headed in India – particularly music – be it film driven or through bands, by films I don’t mean just Bollywood, but Tollywod, Kollywood, Sandawood and all the other woods in India.
The music industry in India is leaping forward every single day. We have incredible talent in this country. And incredible bands. I just think that everything revolves around Bollywood and films too much and the independent artist or band gets lost in the clutter. I would like to see that change over time.
Indigo remained resolutely English while others went Kannada. Does it help being in a very niche station and not being able to connect with a huge section of the masses?
Let me put it this way…we hit an average of a million listeners. That’s a fair number and not something you sneeze at. Also I don’t believe that Radio Indigo is a niche station….I just think that its non mass :). We also have a whole load of alpha consumers…they are the first to buy…the first to try and the first to have an opinion. One alpha listener is equated to at least three others. This takes up our share considerably and makes it the ideal channel for an advertiser to get his product out there.
I also think that because we have stayed true and stayed an all English international radio station since inception that we have developed a very strong brand identity as well as a very loyal listener base and that’s invaluable.
You have been connected with the Submerge Music Festival (Submerge) in Goa every year Can you tell us more about Submerge and your role in it? How do such festivals help the Indian music scene/musicians, and will you be doing anything to promote similar initiatives in Bangalore?
The festival in Goa is the Sunburn festival. I have hosted the festival along with Nikhil Chinappa for two years now and am looking forward to the third year this December. Submerge is a dance community started by Nikhil and my only involvement there is to DJ or host the odd event. Beyond that I do all I can to promote things like Submerge because it brings together like minded people and gives an Indian audience the opportunity to experience the world’s best DJs and music on our shores. Sunburn I might add, does that as well…and does it better than anything else we have to offer.
Which do you think is the rock capital of India – Shillong or Bangalore….and why? Any other place that’s really big with rock in India?
Well I’m always partial to anything Bangalore. I firmly believe that not only are we the rock capital of the country but we are also the dance music capital of the country. Through years of being on air and interacting with people in Bangalore I can safely say that the most musically educated audience in the country is in Bangalore and that makes me proud to be Bangalorean.
How important is packaging for a DJ /VJ/MJ – what matters more – style or substance? Are the younger and newer RJs/DJs/VJs in general in the country a capable lot ? What’s lacking in them?
Packaging is always important if you are an entertainer. Style matters but substance will always be king. Now if you can put together a package of both then you are a serious threat and a full blown talent. The new talent that is just bubbling to the surface today need to remember that if you are doing it because you want to be ‘cool’ or a celebrity then your shelf life is gonna be a year or two and your success will be limited. Now on the other hand if you are doing it for the pure passion of…well then the sky is the limit. Dive right in…the water is nice and warm.
