Akshai Sarin

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Akshai Sarin

Background information
Origin Bangalore, India
Genre(s) Electronica, IDM, Downtempo, World
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Sony Music India, Rebirth, Indian Electronica, Punarnava, Mp3.com
Website http://www.myspace.com/axai

Akshai Sarin (a.k.a. ax/ai, Rebirth of DuB, Dj AX) is an Indian composer, producer, performer, and DJ. He has expanded his participation in music to starting a record label—Rebirth—and artist representation through his AXYZmusic (pronounced "axis") company. Sarin’s live set combines live recording, laptops and live remixing.[citation needed] An Indian citizen, he has also lived in the Philippines, United States, Egypt, and the UK.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Akshai got his first keyboard at age 8, began training on the tabla at 11, and was experimenting with new sounds and making his own turntables and mixer at the age of 14.[1] By the time he turned 16, Akshai was composing songs for his first album Soundscapes.[2] When Sarin was 19, an animated video using his music was nominated for an award at the Flash Film Festival.[1]

Sarin's best-known work is his remix of "Suraj Hua Madham" which appears on Klub K3G,[3] an album of remixes of music from the soundtrack of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham; the song also appears on the soundtrack of Karan Johar's 2005 film Kaal.[4] His self-released tracks have also received airplay on BBC Radio 1's Alternative Asia and the BBC Asian Network.[5]

In 2006, Akshai provided the music for Hard Kaur's follow-up to her hit single "Ek Glassy, Do Glassy"—a song called "Sexy Boy".[6] He has also worked with multi platinum Filipino vocalist Kitchie Nadal [7] and percussionist Bo Razon.[8] That same year, Sarin was involved in co-ordinating the Shalom Peace Concert, which took place in New Delhi (with artists like Karsh Kale and MIDIval Punditz).[9] Also in 2006, Sarin was one of 20 finalists in the India's Creative Future 2007 contest conducted by the British Council and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.[10] The award was won by fashion designer Priya Patil.[11]

In 2007, Sarin performed at the newly opened Ministry of Sound franchise in New Delhi with MC Shamik.[12] He also sat on the planning committee for the Indian edition of that year's Indian Electronica Festival.[13]

He is a part of the Asian Massive/Asian Underground; his track "Reborn" appears on the Indian Electronica Vol. 1 compilation, alongside DJ Spooky and Talvin Singh, Transglobal Underground, Jalebee Cartel, and others.[14]

[edit] AXYZmusic

Sarin's AXYZmusic company has offices in four countries.[15] AXYZmusic represents world/jazz artist Surinder Sandhu's Saurang Orchestra.[16] AXYZmusic also incorporates Sarin's Rebirth Records label and handles bookings for The Kitty Girls & Chris McGuinness. The company is involved in producing events like the DUG Delhi Underground Festival featuring international bands, visual artists & DJs like Paul Woolford (UK), Chris McGuinness (New York), Stella Nutella (Sweden) & AX/AI (Philippines) on a regular basis. [17]They also have toured DJ Stella Nutella with Rolling Stone Magazine.[18]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Soundscapes (1998, internet download and CD on MP3.com) (as Rebirth of DuB)

[edit] Songs

  • "Wired for Distortion" (1997, internet download) (as Rebirth of DuB)
  • "Birdsong" (2006, in the play Birdsong)[19] (as Akshai Sarin)
  • "Tandava" (2006, white label promo)[20] (as Akshai & Critikal vs. Awasthi)
  • "3 Amigos" (2007, white label promo)[21] (as Akshai)
  • "Kuchh Kehna Hai" (2007, white label promo)[22] (as Akshai Sarin ft. Priya & Chinku)
  • "Reborn" (2007, on Indian Electronica Volume 1 compilation) (as Akshai Sarin feat. Greenissimo)

[edit] Remixes

  • "Oriental Twilight" remix of "Suraj Hua Madham" by Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam
    • appears on Klub K3G (2002, Sony Music India) and Kaal soundtrack (2005, Sony Music India)
  • "Push the Tempo" remix of "You Are My Soniya" Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam
    • appears on Klub K3G (2002, Sony Music India) and Let the Music Play Volume 2 (2006, Sony Music UK/India)

[edit] Collaborations

  • Poonam Sareen : The Ultimate Ahah (2000, Sony Music India) (music, vocals)
  • Poonam Sareen : Ayurveda—A Way of Life (2003, Punarnava) (keyboards and "music execution")
  • various artists : Friction Re-loaded (2006, SonyBMG) Hard Kaur's "Sexy Boy" (music)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Mumbai boy hits Internet music charts, The Times of India Newspaper Online, January 1, 2002.
  2. ^ Review of Soundscapes JamMagazine Online Edition
  3. ^ SonyBMG India
  4. ^ www.Indigo.de
  5. ^ The A/X Effect: The Mumbai Mirror, June 27, 2006.
  6. ^ Rapping it Up, Namita Kohli, The Indian Express, May 7, 2006.
  7. ^ Kitchie Nadal Official Website
  8. ^ Manila Bulletin. October 13, 2006.
  9. ^ Time Out New Delhi, volume 1 issue 2, April 2007.
  10. ^ Who will be India's Creative Future 2007?
  11. ^ Creative Future 2007
  12. ^ Human Beatbox Session, image of flier
  13. ^ Indian Electronica 2007 Committee
  14. ^ Indian Electronica Vol 1.
  15. ^ List of AXYZmusic offices at the AXYZmusic website
  16. ^ Participant profile, Creative Portal
  17. ^ Delhi Trance Port CompanyIndian Express May 22nd 2008
  18. ^ Dj Stella Nutella India TourIndivibe Events Website
  19. ^ The A/X Effect: The Mumbai Mirror, June 27, 2006.
  20. ^ Bobby Friction on BBC Radio
  21. ^ Electro East on BBC Radio
  22. ^ Pathaan's Musical Rickshaw on BBC Radio

[edit] External links