Bob Sinclar is on his first India tour to promote his new album “Made in Jamaica”, and already charmed by what he's seen and experienced, the Grammy Award-nominated French record producer and House musicDJ is planning his next visit. Only, this time, he wants to come without any work to take care of. Immediately, Sinclar smiles and admits that the work has been fun too. He just wants to see the mountains and the castles and the temples, something which his packed schedule hasn't allowed him to do.
I've loved the experience. I especially enjoyed the ‘tuk-tuk' rides'.
“Tuk-tuk rides”?
Yes, those three-wheelers; I think they are called autos, but isn't tuk-tuk a much more fun word? That's the noise they make. I had a two-hour ride in one of those and thoroughly enjoyed it. I carried my video camera along and taped the entire experience, complete with the crazy roads and traffic! I would like to do that again. It was even better because the auto driver had no idea who I was and I was treated just like another person. It was liberating.
Anything else about this trip?
The audience response has been fantastic. The turnout at Hyderabad and Pune was even better than I could have hoped for. The fans have been so supportive and the Hard Rock cafés in India are very different from the ones in France. There, it's more commercial, more like restaurants. The ambience here is very different, though the crowd at both cities has been just like those from an European city. I'm happy that people here are familiar with my music. For that, I am grateful to the Internet and its free downloading facilities.
What about Indian music? Have you been influenced by any?
(Nods passionately) Of course! My first release was “Mathar” by Indian Vibes and it was heavily influenced by the sitar track played by David Pike during Woodstock in 1969. I've also been hearing a lot of Indian movie music on the radio here and might use the melodies later in my tracks. I need to become more familiar with it. The tracks I've heard are catchy tunes, retro in feel. It would be great to work with them.
Has the Indian audience been requesting a particular song?
There have been innumerable requests for “World Hold On”. I think that “Love Generation” was definitely a bigger hit all over the world but, for some reason, the crowd here is just as crazy about “World Hold On”. It must have something to do with the fact that it is a club song, something people can dance to. “Love Generation” is soulful, and can be played at anytime.
Can you share the story behind the song that made you a DJ of worldwide renown?
I remember I went into the studio with Gary Pine and the words just flowed. It took us two hours and we created a song that was perfect. It didn't need any change. It felt right and beautiful. I knew I had hit upon what I had been looking for all along. The song was filled with emotion and I hoped that it would touch my listeners the way it touched us. And it did. We revealed it at the Winter Music Conference and everyone loved it.
After “Love Generation” came a string of other hits like “Rock this Party” and “World Hold on”; all of them unique in their own way. While some of his songs are soulful, the others are begging to be danced to.
What inspires you to do such a wide mélange of work?
I want to create music that can transport people. Make them feel emotions they have never felt. I like to create beautiful tunes people can dance to. I make it a point to go back to old songs, add samples, and make something new out of the past. And sometimes, some songs just happen. There is something about retro music too, with its happy and upbeat rhythm. I want to make people dance, enjoy and have a good time. I suppose that is my inspiration, to provide good music. It can happen while you listen to a soulful number at home or while you dance the night away at a club.
That's exactly what he gets to do as a DJ; make people have a good time. Successful DJ's like him are fast becoming an inspiration for people and many people are turning to DJing as a viable choice of profession.
Any advice for aspiring DJs?
I think as a DJ you need to know exactly what people want. I buy almost every new album that comes out, just to know what people are listening to. The songs that come out now are good, but their craze lasts only for a few days and then fades away.
A good DJ can turn to old and new music and create something new. Playing the right mix is very important. As a DJ, I can create new melody out of something long gone, and that's thrilling. I suppose essentially, a good DJ has to love making people dance.
Message for the Indian audience?
I would like to thank them for showing up, and for giving me such a warm welcome. I can see that this country is exploding with potential and reaching its crescendo, but I can also see a lot of poverty. I hate to see kids on the street, it kills me. I hope that will improve soon because this is a great place. I wanted to visit India for the past four years and now that I'm here, I'm really glad I came. With that, I wish him luck and he makes his way towards the hundreds of waiting fans at the New Delhi Hard Rock, each impatient to begin what they know will be a night to remember.
