“I’m just this kid locked in his bedroom, happy playing around with DSP units,” the elusive suburban Mumbai artist we know only as Sean (he releases music as the Ebullist and Synthetic Lying Machine) tells me revealingly in a first ever interview. “I’ve exchanged my social life for modular programs.”

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Room is Dhaka Electronica Scene’s flagship event series which focuses on introducing new artists to the electronic music scene. Taking place on Wednesday 30 April in Dhaka, the event is executed in way that suits local values i.e. no alcohol sales but there is a BYOB option. While alcohol is a lucrative part of most nightlife industries, it is a social taboo here in Dhaka and the same can be said about electronic music gigs. Someone once told me that police permission is required whenever there is a gig, but we got lucky with the German connection. …

“Electronic sound devices are far less restricted and adverse to absolute pitch and timbre. 
A revolution is on its way, changing the way music and sound can be imagined in the near future.” A prophetic comment made by Pierre Schaeaffer (French sound theorist and music concrete visionary) way back in 1972. …

Reflecting a diverse and expanding cultural milieu, Bangalore’s identity is a manifestation of centuries of artistic progression. In the quest of interpreting every nuance of emotion and expression into an art form, it has gradually strengthened the core of its artistic identity over the years. After all, in a city where the pleasant drone of a tanpura can co-exist in harmony with hammering riffs, distorted bass lines and acid synths; it is no wonder that music has always been interwoven with its soul. …

To most people, Afghanistan invariably and understandably conjures up the same few images: war, suicide bombings, austere bearded men who banned music, laughter and repressed women during their short stint in power, and, until he was found wrapped in a blanket watching reruns of himself in a neighbouring country three years ago, Osama Bin Laden.

It is safe to say that Caribbean music is not the first thing that comes to mind. It has probably never been played in the country, save maybe for a few expats jamming on rare open mic nights at the few Kabul bars where they gather to escape the boredom of barbed-wired compounds and to enjoy grossly overpriced liquor. …

Pakistan has always been a country that prides itself on its love and championing of music. Though Pakistani pop music has always been ‘strong’ in its presence, independent music in Pakistan (be it electronic or guitar-driven) hasn’t always found itself substantive in quality and quantity. The past few years, however, have led to a deluge of independent producers, musicians and bands. …

Ever felt like you always want what you can’t have?
‘Luminescence’ is the compelling ambient-electronic release from ‘Solarein’, the brainchild of producer Vru Patel. The shoegaze project has roots in Boston and India, but is currently based in Lublin, Poland. …

It seemed like a big challenge to come up with ten new Bangladeshi artists when I started contemplating this feature. For a scene as small as Dhaka, 2013 was a remarkable year for many reasons. It was the first time electronic music workshops took place here – facilitated by Border Movement. It was also the first time this genre of music received a positive reaction with local press showing immense support in response to the few events that were held. As the DES continues to grow every week, here are the favorites for this year. …

Finally a platform that allows creative entrepreneurs a stage to unite. And if anything, with most of us having ‘right-sided’ brains, we could probably do with this platform support the most.

This is The Coalition, a first for India that is acting as a support platform for creative entrepreneurs that includes everything from baking to producing music. The aim is to turn these creative ideas into successful businesses through the help of people with skills in the field and money.

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