Vridian

Name, where are you from? 
My real name is Vir RC - I perform and make music under the moniker Vridian. I was born here in New Delhi, but I’m basically from Planet Earth.

What do you do? 
I am a music producer, DJ, sound designer and a comic book nerd. Apart from this I eat, sleep and love reading about reptiles.

Describe your style in three words?
In terms of style, I have simply three colours - red, black and blue. I’m not super bright and colourful in this context, I like simple and elegant tones (visually and sonically). In terms of music, it would be House, Techno, Electronica. I like to make and play deep, emotive and groovy electronic music.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Maybe ‘best’ isn’t the right word to use, but my favourite was the first BLOT! Live Show in collaboration with Red Bull last year, at Famous Studios in Mumbai. I helped out with the show but beyond that, there aren’t too many artists from our country who give equal importance in designing the physical space in which their music was presented. There were more than 700 people, the place was made to look like some laser cyberpunk circus and it was just a complete show.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
This is a great question because before I got into electronic music as a listener and creator, I was a guitar player. In a more classic sense, it would have to be King Crimson. The time they were coming up was owned by bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and even though that raw energy is infectious, King Crimson was a lot slicker with their music and its production and composition was very forward-thinking to all the popular stuff at the time (and compared to some stuff even now). My second pick for this is a band that had a major influence on me. This band is called Porcupine Tree. The mood of their music as well as the technicality of simplicity that they are experts of - always got me.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
The first subculture that comes to my mind is the 60s counterculture. Psychedelic exploration, amazing music, hippies, Woodstock - the works. I mean what’s not to like? A free society, dancing for fun, amazing music, a celebration of hedonism. It seems to be too good to be true right now! This gave birth to the ethos behind so many electronic music subcultures including house/techno, acid house and Goa Trance. The continuation of this ‘Summer Of Love’ happened in the late '80s and 90s in our very own Goa. I partly grew up in Goa and the presence of these more modern-day colourful beings from around the world was a normal sight to me. Eventually, I grew older and went to some Goa Parties too - magic!

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would love to have an hour with Herbie Hancock. Just to understand what might have gone through in his mind to understand technology the way he did in terms of music when it was so much more primitive. If you hear a track by him from the 70s, you will not be able to tell it was recorded and produced back then. It seems as good as new!

Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
My answer would have to be Auro Kitchen & Bar. The music there is programmed well, they are very professional and treat you with respect as an artist of any level as well as a patron. Their gear is always serviced and on point and all in all its a family type feeling with the working crew there. It’s like a home club to me, beyond just a good venue. Plus there are certain things on their menu I can’t resist!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
This is a man called Giorgio Moroder. He started using synthesisers very early to make music as well as scores for films. He also composed the famous ‘I Feel Love’ with Donna Summers.