Mumbai-based music producer, OX7GEN, released his fifth EP ‘Recess’ early last month, and only recently wrapped up its promotional tour which saw him play in five cities in the country. Unlike in its first year where OX7GEN Live featured eight band members, this year had only two. And the recent tour saw the drum ‘n bass artist move to a set of drum machines and triggered loops.
Aditya Ashok, as he is also known, is an extremely talented artist whose identity is not limited to just the eletronica genre. He is a popular figure in some of the most well known indie bands today, including Skyharbour, The Colour Compound and Shaa’ir + Func. In an interview with Radioandmusic.com, OX7GEN talks about his latest EP, his group and solo projects, and more.
Tell us more about ‘Recess’. How long did you work on it?
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I technically have been working on it for more than a year, considering that was when I actually started writing some of the songs. But the idea of putting these particular songs together and the idea of this EP, ‘Recess’ started out in June. ‘Recess’ is a bunch of songs written completely outside of my usual style. I just took it up as an opportunity to put out some songs that have the flavour that is in all of OX7GEN’s music, but is still brand new territory for me.
How did this alter ego develop?
It started off as just a bedroom project. I was trying to figure out how to make electronic music on software like Logic and Ableton. The fairly good response on my first song was really what pushed me to take this a little more seriously and put in the time and effort to make something out of this curiosity.
As OX7GEN, which music festivals will you be playing at (or hope to play) this year?
I would love to get on the Magnetic Feilds, EVC and Supersonic stages.
Is it difficult, juggling duties with Skyharbor, Colour Compound, Shaa’ir + Func and OX7GEN?
Luckily, every project has its own individual way of working. Skyharbor commitments are known a few months in advance so it is easy to block out the calendar for those commitments. Between the others, the shows are mostly taken up on a first booking basis. In terms of writing and rehearsing, OX7GEN is a 24/7 job as I can open up my computer any time I please and work on it. For Shaa’ir + Func and The Colour Compound, we mostly rehearse a few days before shows.
How much do these different bands influence your individual work?
I have learnt a lot from Randolph from SNF about incorporating electronic music within a live band space. There are a thousand ways to do things and it is all about what method works for the kind of live experience you want to create.
Does being in a band, at times, require you to compromise on your own creative skills?
Not at all. The whole point is to stretch your imagination as much as you can. Your ideas might not always be included in the final product, but learning to compromise in a creative environment is an important skill to have.
How important, in your opinion, is it to work on multiple projects (or bands) at the same time for an artist?
I would not say it is essential, but it has its advantages. For me personally, not only does it make it financially a more viable career option, but it is also a great way to satisfy my cravings to be involved with all these different styles of music that I can relate to.
You have done prog-metal, alt rock and drum ‘n’ bass. What other genre would you like to venture into?
I love listening to jazz, but my vocabulary in the genre is practically non-existent. I would love to sink my teeth into it at some point.
What is Skyharbor planning after the single ‘Out of Time’?
We have got a bunch of pre-production tracks finished for the new album, but are currently focusing on putting out a second single before our tour of US and Canada in November, alongside TESSERACT and The Contortionist.
Given the opportunity to play drums for any band (Indian or International), which band would it be?
International – Dave Matthews Band; Indian – Pentagram
What is the one thing in music that you would never want to do?
Plagiarise
