EXCLUSIVE: You’ll never guess the music Nucleya grew up listening to

Ahead of his gig in the city, Delhi-based DJ Nucleya relives some defining moments of his life through music

Ahead of his gig in the city, Delhi-based DJ Nucleya relives some defining moments of his life through music.

DJ Nucleya (Photo courtesy: Red Bull Tour Bus off the Roof)

When Koocha Monster released in 2013, people sat up and took notice. The debut EP of Nucleya (real name Udyan Sagar, 37) was unlike anything any Indian DJ had put out. The songs were bass-heavy, and distinctly Indian — with street sounds from south India.

Nucleya (former Bandish Projekt member) quickly became a crowd favourite and was headlining indie music gigs and festivals soon after.

Last year, he launched his debut album, Bass Rani, atop a giant truck at a Ganesh visarjan in Mumbai. Bass Rani was a huge hit too. Fans made graffiti on walls, and got tattoos of the album art. He is currently releasing songs from his next album, Raja Baja.

The man who creates such unique sounds must have been influenced by some really good music. So we asked him to look back at various stages of his life, and the songs he was listening to at the time.

Childhood: Surmayi Akhiyon Mein, from Sadma (1983)

“When I was in the 5th or 6th grade, I used to listen to this song, and others from the movie, all day long. I had a cassette of the entire album, and I still remember the cover art — a watercolour painting of the movie poster.”

Growing up: Yeh Dil Yeh Pagal Dil Mera, by Ghulam Ali

“This is a song my parents played all the time. They listened to a lot of tracks by Ghulam Ali, in general, but I remember this one being their all-time favourite.”

Teenage years: Beyond Skin, by Nitin Sawhney

“This is what I was listening to when I started making music for the first time. I was in 11th or 12th grade. Nitin Sawhney is still one of the most brilliant musicians I have ever come across. I remember almost every track by heart even today.”

College days: Punk Motherfucker, by Funkstörung

“I was introduced to Funkstörung’s (a German electronica duo) music by a friend, who is also an experimental musician. Most of my first few original tracks were heavily influenced by them.”

When I met my wife: Take My Eyes Off You, by Lauryn Hill

“I was falling deeply in love with Smriti (Choudhary; artist and graphic designer), and this track used to be on loop all day. There’s not much of an explanation needed here. If you listen to the track, you will understand exactly how I felt.”

When my music wasn’t working: I Get Out by Lauryn Hill

“I had just broken away from Bandish Projekt, and started my solo project as Nucleya. At this point, my music was not working at all, and it was one of the most challenging times in my life. Lauryn Hill’s music, in some way or the other, always kept me on my feet.”

Birth of my son: Akkad Bakkad, by Nucleya

“Growing up, I never had the chance to listen to any of the nursery rhymes that kids listen to these days. I was only introduced to them when my son, Guri, was born. Around the same time, I released my debut EP, Koocha Monster, which featured this track, and it is pretty much responsible for everything that happened in my life since then.”

Be there

What: Nucleya will perform at Red Bull Tour Bus off the Roof on October 16. Gates open 5pm.

Where: PJ Hindu Gymkhana Grounds, Marine Lines

Tickets: Rs 499 on insider.in

LIVE VIDEO:

We go live on Facebook at the gig at 9pm on Oct 16. Follow us on facebook.com/ht48hours