Music is something the world would be lost without! We feel it, we breathe it, we love it! Eastern Mirror’s – Rhythm of Love- connects our readers to music through conversation with artists as they share their experience with their love …… MUSIC
Music moves us, opens our emotions – passing all barriers. Music is a piece that we can all connect to so Readers get connected with your favorite artists every Friday with Rhythm of Love.
One of the first DJ/Producers from Nagaland, based in New Delhi our very own DJ Ina has made a name for himself in the music industry with his unremitting sense of catchy & groovy music & also his ability to scratch. DJ Ina has been performing since 2009 and has already become a household name in the Northeast region.
Adjudged 1st runners up at the Palm Battle of the Djs India held at Mumbai in 2012, DJ Ina has already performed in almost all the top clubs in India in the likes of Kitty Su which is ranked in the top 100 clubs in the world where World no.1 DJ Hardwell, Avicii, Steve Aoki, Dada Life etc. to name a few have all performed in the same.
Dj Ina is also the Dj/Producer of the VIMA award winning band Borkung Hrangkhawl Project (BK &INA).
In conversation with Eastern Mirror’s Rhythm Of Love DJ Ina throw some light on the DJing WorldEASTERN MIRROR: When did you start DJing and who were your early influences?
DJ Ina: First of all, I would like to give all credit to God. Everything I am and I have is all by the grace of God.
Well, it all started back in 2009 (Smiles)….. Deadmau5, Madeon & Skrillex are definitely three of my biggest influences till date but as far as I can remember no DJ inspired me to become one. It just happened but yes someone did inspire me in music when I was very young and that person is Jack Pucho (Spirit Of Faith) I was literally so moved when I first saw him singing which led me to buy my very first guitar the next day.
EASTERN MIRROR: Where did you learn your skills from? Are you Self-taught or education course?
DJ Ina: I am a self taught musician like I said “it all comes from above”. But of course it wasn’t easy I struggled a lot to reach this far.
EASTERN MIRROR: What are your main challenges as a DJ? What is it about DJing that makes it interesting for you?
DJ Ina: To represent NAGAS to the world in electronic music has always been my main goal & challenge all these years. Deejaying for me is all about being creative & skillful. I like being different and unique in my own ways and this keeps me passionate about being one.
EASTERN MIRROR: Talk us through your usual workflow from idea to organized composition.
DJ Ina: First I think of an idea of how I want my music to sound then I shift to make my own sounds (bass, lead, pluck, pad, Fx, kick, percussion…..etc ) using various VST plug-in (this is where I spend most of my time). I usually start with a chord progression, bass line, melodies, layering’s, drum patterns, FXs.etc respectively. Arrangement comes in just before I prepare my track for mixing & mastering.
EASTERN MIRROR: What do you usually start with when preparing for a gig? Is there a criterion for selecting what to play at a gig or you have the choice for selection?
DJ Ina: The first thing I do is pray and give all glory to Jesus. This is a must do thing for me.
Well it depends on what gig I will be doing. If it’s a party gig I select mostly party oriented tracks in a very random order. And if it’s a festival gig I like to keep it very musical and its well organized.
EASTERN MIRROR: What kind of things is inspiring your passion at the moment?
DJ Ina: Reaching out to more people through my music. (Smiles)
EASTERN MIRROR: Nagas are passionate about music but Dj is one genre that has not been embraced yet. What could be the reasons?
DJ Ina: I wouldn’t say EDM (DJ MUSIC) is not yet embraced by Nagas because these days if you go through any random person’s playlist you will find at least one EDM song in there. And if Nagas didn’t embrace it yet DJ INA won’t exist only in the first place and Eastern Mirror will not be interviewing me at this very moment. I hope this explains it all. (SMILES)
EASTERN MIRROR: Do you enjoy playing in your hometown or outside. Which crowd is more active with your experiences?
DJ Ina: This is a really tough question to answer. Well, to be very frank I love playing to my home crowd more than anywhere else true story. And home crowd has always been supporting me from the very start but outside crowd is more active in comparison.
EASTERN MIRROR: Do you think people have mistaken belief about Djing as people consider DJ to be a genre of using music technology? What misconceptions would you like to clear?
DJ Ina: YES! We all live in a world of technology and we are all dependant on it for everything. Technology has a huge part to play in music industry today the records that we listen to whether it’s a Country, Rock, Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz, EDM etc are all part of technology even vocals are manipulated/improvised by it, nothing these days are technology free. Like any other genre of music out there, skills, creativity & talents are involved in EDM (DJ music) too. We may have the same tool but it doesn’t mean the product will be the same for everyone.
You ought to know: Hip Hop music was founded by a DJ (DJ KOOL HERC) during late 1960s. So is EDM (Electronic Dance Music) by DJs.
