If you have been ruing the lack of gigs that feature DJs and producers who specialise in different genres of Electronic music apart from commercial Dance music, the Bass Camp Festival is where you should head to. Hailed as India’s only Drum and Bass heavy Electronic music event, it’s been providing interesting line-ups of DJs and producers since 2010.

There’s a rise in the fan numbers for this genre, believes Sohail Arora of Krunk (the organising body), “The scene has evolved with audiences having an understanding of this genre. Also, the number of Indian artistes (working with Drum and Bass) has increased.” The festival will take place in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru. For this year’s edition, Arora (who is also part of music duo Bay Beat collective) tells us that they have incorporated visual elements to accompany the music.

The line-up for Mumbai’s gig includes Ox7gen, Zokhuma, EZ Riser, Sandunes and the headliner will be Belgian Drum and Bass biggie Alix Perez. Perez recently released an EP, titled U, with the video featuring Nidar Singh Nihang (a master of traditional Indian battlefield art of Sanatan Shastar Vidiya). He speaks of his love for the genre:

Q. What attracted you to Drum and Bass among the genres within Electronic music?
A. I discovered Drum and Bass/Jungle when I moved to the UK at the age of 14. At the time, my mum would play records, primarily Metalheadz/Certificate 18 stuff. That’s how I caught the bug. I’d never heard that sound before. It was more advanced and intricate than anything I’d come across before. From there on, it was a natural progression
into production.

Q. Your take on the EDM boom in the world...
A. There are a lot of interesting things happening in our genre, which is refreshing. People are experimenting and aren’t afraid to stray away from the conventional. These are exciting times.

Q. How were you introduced to the art of Sanatan Shastar Vidiya? How did it find its way in your music video?
A. When we discussed ideas for the video, we wanted to take a different approach. Our video director, Joao Retorta, had a contact with Sanatan Sikh Shastar Vidiya, which we thought would be a great concept. Nihang being the last master of this Sikh martial art, we were honoured to be able to work with him and display this dying art via our video. Conceptually, it’s fitting to the mood of the track and visually entrancing.