Tell us something about yourself. We know u as a nephop beatmaker, rapper and a DJ on your name says it all. Whats your real name and how do u describe yourself?
Well my real name is Abijit Bhandary. I'm an outoing and laid back individual. Always eager to learn new things, not just about music but also about how things work within us and around us. Hmm.. I guess the best answer would be 'Jack of all trades, master of none' heheh.
Give us a short histrory about your musical career.
The fact that my uncle was a musician and I lived with him for a little bit in Albany, New York when I was in grade 3 played a huge role in my musical development. He was a huge beatles fan and the first electric guitar I ever laid my hands on was at his house. When I moved back to nepal, the school that I went to offered some music courses so I chose the drums. I'd always be playing along to beatles tunes at home knocking on cardboard boxes and stuff. Then I moved to Canada in 2000 and really started getting into music when i got together with the boys and recorded our first rap track. It was then that I started making beats as well.
How did you bring smash hits Chhudaina and ma pyar bechinchu, give us a brief behind the scene story.
The beat for Chhudaina has actually been made and re-made 3 times already. The first time I made it back in 2002 or so, it was actually for rapper Aroz from NewYork. Got a good response for the track but I wasnt really satisfied wit the beat u kno, i was really jus experimenting with sampling and stuff at the time. The beat that you hear now is the 3rd attempt and I'm really satisfied with this one. Pyar Bechidinchhu doesnt really have a story to it, I just made the beat one day and the Nepsydaz loved the idea so we collaborated on that one as well.
What are your influences: musical and non musical?
Hehehe..thats a real real tough question. I listen to every genre of music so i've got tons of different inspirations in each genre. Overall though in hiphop i'd have to say Timbaland, Just Blaze, Hi-Tek, Alchemist, DJ Premier. They are amazing producers! It seems like timbaland and just blaze have that midas touch..every song they touch is gold. Outside of hiphop I listen to a lot of orchestrated stuff. Mainly movie scores since thats really what I want to get into. Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Klaus Badelt, theyre all geniuses at what they do and they are good people to look up to. Non Musically I am influenced by all the amazing people around me. Everyone that listens to my stuff with an open mind and gives good critiques influence me.
How do you promote yourself?
Honestly I havent really done a lot of promoting lately other than sending tracks out to people that I know and it just spreads from there. Word of mouth is the best way to promote. Back in the day though I used to post on message boards, forums and things like that to get people to hear my music.
What type of music do you often play?
When im chillin in my room i usually just pick up my guitar and play some rock tunes. Im a big oldies fan so the usual Pink Floyd, Led Zep, GnR etc...Also John Mayer, He's an amazing guitarist.
Whats your claim to fame?
One word...Diversity. Able to make anything ranging from hiphop to rock to lengthy orchestrated scores...or a combination of all of em haha
How is your 'hip hop is changing our lives' song doing over the internet?
From what i've heard and all the responses i've seen for the video on youtube, its doin pretty well. A lotta people seem to be feelin that track and I'm really happy that they are. The song is like 2-3 years old but theres more to come. I must say Shash has developed into an even better rapper since then so keep your ears open for more of his songs.
What type of hardware, software do you use?
Right now my main setup is a Roland XP-30 keyboard that I just basically use as a midi controller to control my sounds on the computer. My sequencer of choice is Sonar 6.0. Its a breeze to do everything you'd ever wanna do in that program. Also, Reason, FL Studio, they all get used from time to time depending on the kind of track I am working on.
What is your beat making process like?
Its always different. I never really sit down at the keyboard and say “im gonna make this kinda beat today”. It just turns out the way it turns out. Most of the times though, i'll program a drum loop that I am satisfied with and then just build up bassline and rhythm track until I am happy with how it sounds. Then I add little effects, drop-outs for the drums, and add some extra instruments in the hook section and I am finished.
What inspires you to do what u do?
I dont know really. Its like a craving...I think I'm addicted.
What advice would you give to the new dj/ beatmakers?
Experiment and be creative. As bad as this might sound, dont strive to satisfy your listeners, satisfy yourself first. Its the truth. Realize that you can't please everyone. If you are happy with what you made, thats all that matters. If you have a crazy idea that is not “standard” in the style of music that you are making, do it anyway. Maybe people will like it! Maybe it will catch on...who knows...Then people will realize that you are really working to create your own sound, ur own style. Listen to a lotta different styles of music. The more stuff u listen to, the more material and ideas you'll have to throw into your own music. If no one has ever done it before, you do it.
How does music affect you and the world around you?
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” - Berthold Auerbach
Do you have any plans of doing a remix album which is getting very popular in nepal?
No, honestly I dont. I think remixes are getting played out.
How do you describe your music to people?
Just like many other musicians, I make music based on my feelings..so go ahead..listen to my stuff and get to know me.
What are your next projects?
I've got a lot of things lined up for me for the future but I would rather talk about it after its all settled and confirmed so I will definitely keep you posted man. All I will say for now is that I am in the process of moving to Los Angeles to pursue some pretty big opportunities.
How is your process of making a rap beat? Do rappers come tell you what they want in a beat or do you first make a beat and the rappers follow your beat?
It works both ways..sometimes the rapper has a great idea for a song and he needs the beat to match the feel of his lyrics. Sometimes I have a great idea for a song and I need a rapper to write according to the feeling my beat brings out.
Do you use a lot of sample or do you use a lot of live instruments?
My beats are mostly composed solely by me. I do sample sometimes when i find a nice part in a song that would work well in a beat but other than that, its mostly all live instrumentation.
What is your say on sampling in hip hop?
Hiphop wouldnt be what it is today if it werent for the great Djs back in the day sampling old rnb and soul tunes. I personally love the fact that sampling is still around, Theres a certain gritty sound in a beat sampled from Vinyl that is so hard to get if you use live instrumentation.
