When the reigning champion of electronica comes to town, it is just another name marked off the list for Indian fans of American dubstep producer Sonny Moore aka Skrillex.
One of the biggest (and most recognisable, thanks to his thick black glasses and long hair with one side shaved off) names in dance music is making his India debut as part of music series VH1 Supersonic Arcade in four cities, kicking off with Bengaluru on October 8.
Moore has a packed schedule – with back-to-back shows in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.
He says over an email interview about coming to India: “A lot of my friends have gone to India and said it is a very spiritual place and there is a lot of different sensory experiences that you wouldn’t get anywhere else in the world. Not to mention the people, the culture, and the food.”
One of Moore’s closest friends – long-time producer and collaborator Diplo aka Thomas Wesley Pentz – recently played in India as part of his dancehall/reggae group Major Lazer, and he has also given Moore some advice about food.
In an email interview with Metroplus, Moore talks of his hectic tour schedule, collaborating with Justin Bieber and possibly picking up some inspiration in India. Excerpts.
I read your tweet about mistakenly saying you were in Jersey when you were actually in New York — does touring make it all a blur sometimes?
I think that was pretty funny. I definitely was in New York, it was actually outside of New York and someone said we were in Jersey, so I said it.
I’m mad because none of my crew corrected me. I play so many shows and that’s the second time it has ever happened in my whole life. That is pretty good odds, I think.
What is it like working with Justin Bieber?
I always respected Justin Bieber as an artist, the fact that he was so young and his natural charisma. When it came to Jack U, the point that me and Wes (Diplo) like to do together, we don’t really have any rules on who we work with or don’t work with. It is about what vibes are right and what feels natural at the time. We ran into him in a very kind of organic situation. It was awesome and I think Justin is just one of those talented people in the world.
Are there still some artists on your collaboration wishlist?
I get asked this question all the time, but I don’t really have a wish list.
I get just as excited about working with people who are unknown, as much as I am working with established artists.
I think the most exciting collaborations, have always happened in a whimsical moment. You know who I want to work with, for real? Yo Yo Honey Singh.
Are you going to shop for some Bollywood music or sample any of it in your India tour sets?
One hundred percent, I love Bollywood, I watch Bollywood movies all the time on airplanes. So I’m excited to take some back with me and put it into my DNA.
What is on your playlist right now?
I’m listening to Dej Loaf’s EP, it is my favourite thing out right now that I listen over and over again. But there is so much great stuff out right now. I have such a mixed catalogue of music that I like to listen to. Shout out to Skrillex Selects, check it out on SoundCloud or on Spotify. If you want to hear what I’m listening to, go there.
You were in a metal band before this – are you still into that kind of music?
There hasn’t been a lot coming out that is new from that world, but I still always love that music. I know bands are going to come back. As far as the young kids doing it, that’s what I’m really waiting for, because I have to see kids that are going to be discovering hardcore music, doing it young and doing it the wrong way, and finding ways to break the rules even more.
How difficult or easy is it to be a DJ/electronic music producer?
It is as easy as right now, and just deciding you are that, and becoming one hundred percent confident with who you are. That is all it is, that is the one thing that will make or break someone in anything in their life. It is just about deciding that you are the best and you are going to be the best you can be, that’s it. Not worrying, not doing it for other people, just doing it for your friends, your crew and yourself.
Is there another album in the works?
I’ve been working on other people’s records. Obviously, I’m doing a lot of stuff from the new Bieber album and working with (rapper) The Game on some stuff I’m excited about, A$AP Ferg, Peter Gabriel… the list goes on.
You have got four back-to-back shows in India. Any plans of being a tourist or is it just fly in and fly out?
I think that we’re going to be there a couple of days beforehand, going to be a tourist, for sure. Maybe even get in the studio with some people and record some stuff in the fields, in the trees, in nature, whatever.
What is your perception of India before you head into this tour and how do you think it is going to change?
I don’t know how it’s going to change. Right now, I’m doing this interview in Tokyo and I remember the first time coming to Tokyo and it was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be. Whereas some other places you go, like Singapore, I didn’t know what to expect and it was completely different than what I thought. I like to keep an open mind and see what happens.
Skrillex performs on October 8 for Vh1 Supersonic Arcade in Supernova Arena, Yelahanka. Tickets available on Meraevents.com
