The Score Magazine September 2017 issue! | Page 38

LEONRUSSELL,
on his production, brands he has partnered with
and upcoming projects.
Tell us briefly about your journey so far.
Born and brought up in a family of musicians, my dad has
been my biggest inspiration, I used to sit all day and listen
to different kinds of music. My dad had a massive collection
of audio cassettes and LP's, That made me want music every
bit of my life. i do play guitar every now and then but drums
somehow always got my attention. I got an official training for
about 2 years in drums then started listening to the Synth-Pop.
This made me more inquisitive towards electro-music. I started
out with DJ'ing in 1988. From residency to individual projects,
to fashion shows i took up a range of events, demography,
target audience to experiment and explore with. This gave me a
strong exposure. Then came by my golden years in blueFROG. I
have also programmed venues in Delhi. I also willingly started
learning to produce.
Which has been your best production till date and why?
Every track I have produced holds a profound sense of love,
affection and melancholy to me. My inspiration lies in the plain
sight. The daily life experiences, emotions, small encounters to
unusual miracles which life throws at you.
The new Ep I am working on has a track named T.C.A.S
(Traffic Collision Avoidance System) which is installed in
every Aircraft. Every outcome has been memorable due to the
sheer process of its journey and how it lead to my individual
and personal growth.
How do you multi task between all that you are doing?
It is hard but I plan my days, Sundays for family, Monday-
Wednesday is 'My Time with Music'. I program, produce,
research and create. Off-lately, a core balancing element and
challenging at the same time, has been a newly open Dubai
Flagship brand 'The Stable and Rodeo Drive'. I was excited
about this project since the very beginning. My boss is very
kind. I am officially entitled to head the Music and Sound
programming for 'The Stables' and 'Rodeo Drive'. These brands
are a refreshing change in the market. I love this challenge.
You have partnered with big brands for their events.
Any mantra you follow in making it successful?
Music to me is all about synergy. First you got to feel, then
absorb it, breath it and recreate it in form of an experience for
your audience.
How has your experience been in playing at popular
clubs across India against curating music for shows?
Every city is different, every club has a different following,
again I research and adapt to the vibe of the venue and
audience, sometimes you have people who come to listen to
your music and sometimes its the other way around they would
love to hear music that they are familiar with. You have to keep
that balance. I use the same Strategy while curating, there are 2
types of artists, the one who plays for the people popular music,
and the one that people come over to listen to, if the balance is
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maintained everyone is a winner. Again this is subjective to
the venue.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
For now I am working on a few EP's out of which one is scheduled
to release in about 3-4 months and focusing on having at least
a couple of releases every 3 months, on the other hand I am
also planning on curating a day long festival in Mumbai, but
that is the only information I can disclose as of now. Also, I am
planning on launching my new House Music avatar although
still in the process of giving it a name.
Your message to young and aspiring DJs
Music is all about Evolution.
It naturally reflects in the
music and the moment.
Other than that, research,
keeping oneself updated with
the present dynamics and
trend, adaptability towards
the audience inclination
(without
compromising
the principles of music).
But above and beyond all
that, create your own music
personality.