Akshai Sarin

Akshai Sarin
Background information
Origin Bangalore, India
Genres EDM, IDM, Downtempo, World
Years active 1997–present
Labels Sony Music India, Universal Music Group, Armada Music, Black Hole Recordings, Contrabass, Rebirth, Indian Electronica, Punarnava, Mp3.com
Website http://www.akshai.in

Akshai Sarin (a.k.a. ax/ai, Rebirth of DuB, Dj AX) is an Indian composer, producer, performer, and DJ who has collaborated with notable names like Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Deadmau5.[1] In 2007, he expanded his participation in music to starting a record label Rebirth and 360 degree music management company AXYZ Music International [1] - bringing acts like Akon and Vienna Chamber Orchestra to India.[2] He is also the founder of The TiLT Festival which has featured international DJs Ferry Corsten and Arno Cost on the line-up.[3] An Indian citizen, he has also lived in the Philippines, United States, Egypt, and the UK. He is now conceptualising energy-drink and lifestyle brand Red Bull's Culture Program for India.[4]

Music Career & 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.[5] By the time he turned 16, Akshai was composing songs for his first album Soundscapes.[6] When Sarin was 19, an animated video using his music was nominated for an award at the Flash Film Festival, Barcelona.[5]

Sarin's notable early works include his collaboration titled "Anoni" with Israeli DJ Yahel and remix of "Suraj Hua Madham" which appears on Klub K3G,[7] 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.[8] His self-released tracks have also received airplay on BBC Radio 1's Alternative Asia and the BBC Asian Network.[9]

In 2005, Akshai performed at Glastonbury Festival.[10]

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".[11] He has also worked with Kitchie Nadal and percussionist Bo Razon.[12] That same year, Sarin coordinated the Shalom Peace Concert, which took place in New Delhi (with artists like Karsh Kale and MIDIval Punditz).[13] Also in 2006, Sarin was one of the finalists in the India's Creative Future 2007 program conducted by the British Council and Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.[14] The program had a total of 20 delegates.[15]

In 2007, Sarin performed at the newly opened Ministry of Sound franchise in New Delhi with MC Shamik.[16] He also sat on the planning committee for the Indian edition of that year's Indian Electronica Festival.[17]

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.[18]

In 2008, Akshai co-wrote and produced "Walk on Water" with double platinum selling Filipino singer Kitchie Nadal. He also co-wrote and co-produced DJ Yahel's "Anoni".[19][20] The duo also toured India previewing Akshai's upcoming album Connected.[21]

In 2009, Sarin was nominated for the "Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year" award by Rolling Stone Magazine and The British Council.[22] He also played at Singapore F1 Rocks, a music festival that hosted Beyoncé, The Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D, ZZ Top and No Doubt.[23]

In 2010, returned to the Singapore Formula 1 to play with his band at Avalon at Large which hosted various celebrities like Richard Branson, Flo Rida and The Chemical Brothers.[24]

In 2011, he performed at Exit Festival in Novi Sad, Serbia alongside a line-up that included Arcade Fire, Deadmau5, Magnetic Man, Jamiroquai, MIA and Portishead[10]

In 2012, Akshai was a panellist at the International Music Summit Ibiza, with Pete Tong and Tony McGuinness of Above & Beyond.[25] His debut EP "Your Voice Is My Wind" on Black Hole Recordings has been supported by leading DJs Markus Schulz, Gareth Emery, Bobina, Andy Duguid, Pedro Del Mar and many more.[26]

In 2013, He released his debut album "Connected" on Universal Music Group.[27] The album features collaborations with DJ Hall of Fame inductee DJ Qbert, Dutch duo Mason who were behind the dance hit Perfect (Exceeder) with Princess Superstar, Thomas Gold, Moonbeam, Kitchie Nadal and famous Bollywood/Pop singer Anushka Manchanda [28]

London Olympics

Akshai Sarin has got an opportunity to share the world stage with big performers around the world. He has been invited to perform at a pre Olympic charity event,the launch of the Walk a Mile campaign at the Hospital Club on 24 July.The event will have attendees like Michelle Obama and Richard Branson, and performers like U2 and Peter Gabriel.[29]

Journalist and Industry Speaker

Akshai has written about his travels, culture, food and music for GQ Magazine,[30] Rolling Stone Magazine[31] and The Times of India.[32] He has also been a speaker, delegate and panellist at the International Music Summit Ibiza,[25] Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE),[33] Soundbound[34] and Global Groove.[35]

Business Ventures

The Tilt Festival

First inaugurated in 2010, it is dubbed as Mumbai's first "urban culture festival" because in addition to the music line-up featuring Ferry Corsten, Arno Cost headlining amidst a number of European and Indian DJs, the festival also features food and shopping in the heart of Mumbai city.[36]

AXYZ Music International

AXYZ Music International is a vertically integrated, globally active group of companies involved in all stages of the music economy from development, to delivery. Its partner offices in India, Egypt, Philippines and Australia encompass brand consulting, music marketing, artiste management, artiste/dj booking agency, digital music distribution, physical distribution, record labels, music production, events & venue management services.[37]

Artiste Bookings & Management

Events

Concept Club Nights

Music Distribution

ReBIRTH Records

Rebirth label is affiliated with the AXYZ Music International setup and works with the motto "No overpriced CDs. No disproportionate royalties. We just want fans to feel what our artistes do when they (re) birth something new."[46]

Albums

[47]

Upcoming albums

Discography

Albums

Songs

Remixes

Collaborations

References

  1. 1 2 http://rollingstoneindia.com/akshai-sarin/
  2. ↑ http://www.journeymart.com/features/chilling-in-paris.aspx
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ Channel V Website.
  5. 1 2 Mumbai boy hits Internet music charts, The Times of India Newspaper Online, 1 January 2002.
  6. ↑ Review of Soundscapes JamMagazine Online Edition
  7. ↑ SonyBMG India
  8. ↑ www.Indigo.de
  9. 1 2 The A/X Effect: The Mumbai Mirror, 27 June 2006.
  10. 1 2 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-22/news-and-interviews/30428564_1_arcade-fire-debut-album-release
  11. ↑ Rapping it Up, Namita Kohli, The Indian Express, 7 May 2006.
  12. ↑ Manila Bulletin. 13 October 2006.
  13. ↑ Time Out New Delhi, volume 1 issue 2, April 2007.
  14. ↑ Who will be India's Creative Future 2007?
  15. ↑ Creative Future 2007
  16. ↑ Human Beatbox Session, image of flier
  17. ↑ Folk Song: Online edition of The Indian Express Newspaper, 2 January 2008.
  18. ↑ Indian Electronica Vol 1.
  19. ↑ Armada Music Website
  20. ↑ DJ Yahel Sherman's Official Website
  21. ↑ Buzzintown.com Website
  22. ↑
  23. ↑ Rolling Stone Magazine India, October 2009
  24. ↑
  25. 1 2 http://www.internationalmusicsummit.com/friday-may-25th-day-three
  26. ↑ http://www.blackholerecordings.com/music/albums/akshai-your-voice-is-my-wind/
  27. ↑ http://www.thewildcity.com/EN/news.xhtml/article/1421-universal-music-india-launch-dedicated-electronic-music-label
  28. ↑ http://www.esquire.my/Entertainment/Music/article/DJ-Akshai-Sarin
  29. ↑ "London calling". 21 July 2012.
  30. ↑ GQ Magazine
  31. ↑
  32. ↑ Times of India
  33. ↑
  34. ↑
  35. ↑
  36. ↑ Feature on Mumbai Boss
  37. ↑ List of AXYZmusic offices on the web
  38. ↑ Participant profile, Creative Portal
  39. ↑
  40. 1 2 Delhi Trance Port Company Indian Express 22 May 2008
  41. ↑ Dj Stella Nutella India Tour Indivibe Events Website
  42. ↑ SPEED Website.
  43. ↑
  44. ↑
  45. ↑
  46. ↑
  47. ↑
  48. ↑ http://www.soundbox.co.in/tag/akshai-sarin/
  49. ↑ Electro East on BBC Radio
  50. ↑ Electro East on BBC Radio
  51. ↑ Pathaan's Musical Rickshaw on BBC Radio
  52. 1 2 http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/your-voice-is-my-wind-single/id504286767

External links


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