When he started DJing 10 years ago, he thought it would get him fame, money and girls, confesses Dubai-born and brought up DJ Shadow Dubai. But down the line, the DJ, born as Satheerth Kunneth, realised its hard work and passion that would take him to the top. At Blue Blazer, Sector 26, Chandigarh, where DJ Shadow Dubai came to man the console for a DJ night on Saturday, he talks about the leap that he made from being a software engineer to a DJ, the mystery behind his adopted name and his favourite Bollywood star.
“I started playing music at the age of 17 and began mixing international songs with desi Bollywood music. This became my specialisation in Dubai, so it’s good to see DJs do the same in India today,” says Satheerth, who has his roots in Kerala. In the “city of party lovers” — Chandigarh — he reveals the controversy surrounding his adopted name. “The name DJ Shadow has got me into a lot of problems, which is why I now clarify that I am DJ Shadow Dubai. In all honesty, when I thought of this name, I didn’t know about the American music producer and DJ Josh Paul ‘Josh’ Davis who also goes by DJ Shadow as his stage name. But he is from the world of hip-hop while I specialise in Bollywood music,” says Satheerth.
In the world of DJing, Satheerth knows that ‘mashups’ or music mixes are not easy to create, and acknowledges that it is “the right music sense and passion” that are required to make a mark as a DJ. Satheerth, who has done 100 live shows in the last four months, claims to be the only DJ in India who plays both the song and its video at the same time.
{{/usCountry}}In the world of DJing, Satheerth knows that ‘mashups’ or music mixes are not easy to create, and acknowledges that it is “the right music sense and passion” that are required to make a mark as a DJ. Satheerth, who has done 100 live shows in the last four months, claims to be the only DJ in India who plays both the song and its video at the same time.
{{/usCountry}}The fact that he has spun at some of the biggest Asian nights in Dubai also makes him feel proud of himself, as does the fact that he was hired to spin at the official parties of Hindi films Ra.One and Desi Boyz, held in Dubai. “I have also performed with names including Rishi Rich, Jay Sean, Punjabi MC, Juggy D, RDB, DJ Aqeel and Dr Zeus,” adds Satheerth, the resident DJ of Kandy Club at Peppermint Lounge, Fairmont Dubai.
Currently running a music production house by the name of Original Productions, Satheerth says he has given the “official mashup” in the March 16 release, Mere Dad Ki Maruti. “I am a fan of Shah Rukh Khan and have remixed a huge collection of his songs, which I have released online. What attracts me to India is its nightlife, since people here love the dance floor while Dubai’s nightlife ends at 3 am,’ signs off Satheerth.