India has a great attitude: DJ Snake

When his music plays loud, fans ask ‘Turn down for what?’ French EDM artist and music producer, DJ Snake (aka William Grigahcine), who took the music world by storm with his eccentric beats and hit tracks like Get Low and Lean On, isn’t letting his road accident play spoilsport for his multi-city concert in India this week. Excerpts from an interview with the 29-year-old Grammy-nominated artist:

Hope you’re recovering well after the accident. What happened?

Thank you for all your prayers and support. I’ve been recovering well for now. Car accident! Our manager was driving (DJ) Tchami and me, when the car got hit.

The Lean On music video saw quite a few Indian elements? Can we expect another

India-inspired track soon?

Since it was a collaboration with Diplo of Major Lazer, the video had to have their eccentricity and my unique music beats. India has a great attitude and positive vibe that the video needed, so we shot it here… Wait till I complete my tour and pick on some inspiring beats from India.

Apart from the concert, what’s your India itinerary like?

If travelling and time permits after all the hectic shows, I’d like to go and see the beautiful cities.

What’s your take on the EDM scene in India?

Like I said, I’d like to be inspired by the music here and am looking forward to hearing Indian artists perform at the festival.

We read that you said “the name DJ Snake sucks! But it’s too late now”. Why would you say so?

I used to do graffiti art… There’s still buildings in Paris marked with the Snake tag, which I have earned because I was the only one to consistently evade the police. When I started DJing, because everyone called me ‘Snake’ in my city first, the name continued.

DJ Snake is not just excited about his performances as part of the Sunburn City Festival — his concert in Gurgaon on November 15 — but also about a solo album that he’s working on.

We’ve seen collaborations. But what kept you away from a solo

album all these years?

Collaborations have always been welcome since I know the kind of sound and beat I’d like to give those songs... (As for the album) I’m excited about my solo, however, not pressurised at all.

What does fame and success mean to you?

When Snake makes a beat, history is made.

Your music captivates people. How do you keep it so unique?

Every time I’m in the studio, I have a different method of attacking a beat. One day I might’ve seen a documentary from Brazil and heard a new sound that triggers a primal desire in me to run to the studio. I probably won’t use that sound, but it inspires me to develop a vision on which to create an amazing track. Then I completely zone out. Whether my phone’s ringing or my manager’s making noise outside, nothing can distract me in my creative space. Once I’ve got the lead melody down, I’ll spazz out on the MPC to get the knocking drums people are accustomed to hearing in my tracks. The more mental I go at it, the better the beat comes out.

Have you ever goofed up during a performance?

I wouldn’t call it a goof up but at Ultra Miami festival, I did hand out (DJ) Dillon Francis’s number during my set. I guess he had to handle the aftermath of that!

DJ Snake at Taj Mahal during an earlier visit to India