Anuj Rastogi is a Toronto, Canada based music composer, producer, musician, spoken-word artist, writer and live event producer. He is an active collaborator, and founder of independent music label, Omnesia Records.
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Rastogi's studio projects, and live music spans elements of various styles, including drum and bass, hip-hop, dub step and other electronica styles, as well as global folk, Hindustani classical, and contemporary South Asian sounds. soundtrack compositions, spoken word and experimental sounds. To date, he has released one studio album entitled “Omnesia” (2007), and a 5-track EP entitled “Dark Matter” (2009), both on Omnesia Records. Anuj’s music has also been featured on global electronica compilations such as “Indian Electronica: Volume 001” (2007), and “Nu asian soundZ” (2010).
Anuj was raised in Edmonton, Canada, and later moved to Toronto, Canada. Anuj learned the keyboard and piano as a child, and went on to play the jazz tuba, tenor and soprano saxophones and percussion throughout primary and secondary/high school. [1] He also developed working familiarity with a number of other instruments, and began to experiment with composition and arrangement. Anuj holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Alberta (BComm) and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
Though having experimented with sound and composition for much of his life, Anuj began producing music in 2002. In 2003, Anuj met Ghazal and tabla artist Cassius Khan, and began to bridge traditional and electronic music through their first few collaborations. Since 2003, Anuj has continued to work with an extensive list of folk, classical, and contemporary artists of several musical styles. 2007 debut album “Omnesia” featured 10 artists, and many styles under one studio project composed and produced by Anuj. “Omnesia” received critical and audience acclaim throughout 2007/2008 for its unique blend and vision.[2] Inside Entertainment magazine’s Editor’s Pick for 2007 stated…"Ambient electronica 'takes chai' with rap, sitar, tabla, saxophone, spoken word and Hindi-pop. This self-titled sonic journey from... Anuj Rastogi ventures excitingly close to AR Rahman territory.”[3] 2009’s “Dark Matter” showcased a heavier musical aesthetic, winning equal critical praise and new fans in bass-heavy genres. Anuj is currently working on a number of collaborations, as well as projects in film, TV, and live performance.
Since 2003, Anuj has produced and/or been featured in over 50 live performances as a composer, producer, musician, spoken word artist, visual artist and writer. Highlights include his 2003 production “Omnesian Travels” which featured Japanese Taiko drum team with Tabla, Electronica, North/South Indian Dance, Ukrainian Dulcimer, Sitar, Spoken Word and visuals.[4][5] Anuj and co-founder Qasim Virjee (DJ Abdul Smooth) were also co-foundersof Toronto’s monthly “Dishoom!” series, which featured live progressive acts, including his own ensemble “Omnesia”, and DJs. Anuj's DJ sets have included an appearance at the 2006 Indian Electronica Festival in London, UK, as well as opening DJ sets as part of the 2008 Luminato Festival club night for Nitin Sawhney. In 2009, Anuj produced the live music/visual arrangements for “Omnesia Live!” along with his extended ensemble of 9 artists, including long-time friend and collaborator Cassius Khan as part of the 8th Annual Small World Music Festival.[6] In September 2010, Anuj was again invited by the Small World Music Society to open for Asian electronica legend, Talvin Singh. In addition to the musical compositions, and arrangements, Anuj has also created complete visual/video elements for many of these productions. In an effort to raise awareness and funds and for various social causes through his performance work, Anuj has also been a supporter of organizations such as The Heart & Stroke Foundation,[4] Faiths Act Canada, and 'Spread The Net'.[7]
In past interviews and articles, Anuj has sighted a number of artists who have been influential on his own work including A R Rahman, Nitin Sawhney, Talvin Singh, Cassius Khan, Peter Gabriel, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, PM Dawn, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Danny Elfman, Jonathan Elias, Michael Brecker, RD Burman, Public Enemy, Dave Mathews , Karsh Kale, Ustad Tari Khan, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Miles Davis.[8]