Todays Como Las Grecas Interview sees us sit down with Hamza Rahimtula.

Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music?

I am from New Delhi, India. I used to play the guitar in high school but never thought I would do music professionally. After finishing school in New Delhi, I spent four years at Tufts University in Boston studying economics and in my second year I discovered the Roland MC 505. I ended up buying this second hand from my neighbour and the rest was history. I loved the fact I had control over all the elements of the track and this feeling of being of a producer got me hooked. After Tufts, I did a Masters in Music Business at NYU and returned back to India in 2007. I started my label Wind Horse Records in 2009 and here we are.

Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?

My Grandfather almost became president of India. He was a famous economist and came from a simple middle class family so his rise to fame was always inspirational. My Father is still one of my inspirations for being so liberal and open in his views. I saw the challenges he faced and how he rose above them. I am lucky so have lived and worked with such a forward thinking individual.

In terms of music, Danny Tenaglia, Terry Francis and Louis Vega are 3 artists that opened my head up exposed me to different sounds. I am eternally grateful to have heard them live and their amazing productions.

How would you define your sound?

House/Ethnic/Minimal/Techy/Jackin at times/ Funky/ Afro / Latin/ Soulful

Just all shades of house music! I don’t have one specific sound. I like to touch upon all colors and branches with the House Genre.

How has your sound evolved so far? Do you see yourself as part of one style of music?

My sound has evolved from a technical point of view. I have managed to get better mixes and make my tracks sound much tighter and as a result I am more confident to play them out now than before.

I have 3 influences. European style minimal deep tech house, world music and just straight up funky Jackin house. So all my tracks have one or the either influence. However, if I had to choose one style, I would choose a deep tech ethnic vibe to be the sound of my choice. I have played many sets just in this vibe and made many tracks that have been well received in this style. Most tracks with ethnic influences are classified under organic house but I find these tracks are great in terms of the melodic elements but lacking in terms of groove. I believe that the grooves in deep tech minimal house are more floor friendly and hence I prefer to take the music elements from World Music, but combine them with more bouncy deep tech grooves that take a lot more time and effort to put together.

What can you tell us about your last release? What inspired you? What do you want to convey?

Banjara India is part of the Banjara series. My goal is to showcase traditional sounds from different parts of the world that I have travelled to and have been inspired by. I am just trying to showcase different rare instruments and create unique combinations of music and percussive elements that have not been used before in the house music landscape.
Through this LP, my goal is to shed light on the fact that there are so many rural communities that survive just on folk music, making instruments and performing traditional music. These sounds need to be used more and these communities need to be supported more so that we can keep getting raw material from them to spice up our music. I want to showcase the power of such traditional instruments in india, Africa and other parts of the world so that people realize the importance of keeping these communities alive.

What modern artists are you enjoying? Maybe you can share some lesser known artists we might not know of?

Audio Werner, Unnayanaa, Dubfound, Marcelo Cura, Kali G, Nigel Perrera, Troja, Farhan Rehman, Stalvart John, Cantos

What projects are you working on right now?

New Lp with Selekta Recordings, Banjara Series Arabia on Wind Horse, New Album with the Rajasthan Folkstars who are gypsy musicians from the north western desert region of India called Rajasthan, New Eps on Lump, Open Bar, Kolour, Good For You Records, Ocha and few more Labels.

HAMZA RAHIMTULA

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