Arjun Vagale is arguably one of the most in-demand DJs in India. As one of the country’s biggest EDM exports, he plays over 100 gigs a year, touring regularly in Europe and Asia, often spends his summers in the world’s techno Mecca, Berlin. A man with a true passion for underground music, which he relentlessly plays, produces and promotes. No wonder he was awarded 2011 – 2012’s Best Techno DJ / DJ Of the Year and most recently, took top spot on the first ever DJ Mag India Poll.
He has played alongside such heavyweights as Apparat, Sasha, Fat Boy Slim, Fergie, Dave Seaman, NicFanciulli, Paolo Mojo and Cari Lekebusch while his live act, Jalebee Cartel, has shared headlining spots with the likes of The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and Modeselektor. His knowledge and use of technology in the booth is second to none, often adding drum machines and samplers to create a uniquely raw, funk-laden techno set.
It has been almost 10 years since Arjun, along with 3 friends, formed India’s biggest live act, Jalebee Cartel. With its genre bending sets, the band has generated a huge buzz and has featured in DJ Mag, MixMag and Elle’s list of Rising Stars, and has even graced the cover of Rolling Stone, India. The live act has released over 50 singles on Ostwind Records, Neurotraxx Deluxe, Vapour, Baroque among others. 2009 saw the release of Jalebee’s critically acclaimed debut album, ONEPOINTNOTHING.
But it is Arjun’s solo productions that are now making some serious noise. 2010 saw the release of “Kill the String” on Tom Budden’s ALiVE Recordings. It quickly caught the ear of Fergie, who played it on Digweed’s Transitions to great feedback and immediately commissioned Arjun for an EP on his new Tribal Rage imprint, and followed it with two Vinyl releases on Excentric Mizik. Carl Cox, Karotte, Kaserdisco, Sebastien Leger all supported these heavily. Remixes for Fergie, Denis Horvat, Solead, Dale Anderson, Mabaan Soul and a chart topper for Montero followed. His releases with Cologne’s Traum family – Trapez Ltd, were much applauded by DJ’s and clubbers alike while his collaboration with Tim Richards on Kaiserdisco’s KD Music stayed on the Beatport & Vinyl charts for well over two months, getting numerous plays
from Richie Hawtin. Carl Cox even licensed it for his new Space Ibiza CD.
He now counts Hawtin, Dubfire, Carl Cox, Stacey Pullen, Kaiserdisco as regular supporters, and further releases have been signed to Stephan Bodzins Herzblut, Mihalis Safrass Material Series, Sian’s Octopus, Coyu’s Suara, Berlin based Hummingbird & Monique Musique.
Never one to play Top 10 tunes, Arjun’s always scouting out fresh underground tracks – the man never sleeps! His latest venture has been to found and manage a young record label, Mak.Tub Music, with partner Logistic Soundz. Over the last three years, the imprint has an impressive roster of artists, including Alex Dolby, Jay Haze, Jimmy Van M, Dave Ellesmere, and has already hit the coveted Beatport charts.
There’s good reason that Arjun Vagale’s name has become synonymous with high quality in the Electronic Music scene. Whether packing in the dance floor or producing yet another monster tune, Arjun’s absolute dedication to house and techno is apparent in everything he does.
Discography:
Arjun Vagale, Anil Chawla, Dale Anderson, Tim Richards – Collaborations // Monique Special 2012
Arjun Vagale – Random Eye Movement EP // Trapez Ltd 2012
Arjun Vagale – Glo // Material Limited 2012
Arjun Vagale – Almost Home // Excentric Muzik 2012
Arjun Vagale – Recline Better // Housekeepin Rekords 2012
Arjun Vagale & Tim Richards – She Said / Tonkatsu // KD Music 2012
Arjun Vagale – Danger Mouse EP // Trapez Ltd 2012
Arjun Vagale – Shake ’N Bake / Slim Ditty // Frequenza 2011
Arjun Vagale – Drohnen / Tin Kan EP // Excentric Muzik 2011
Arjun Vagale – Turmbuhne Tales // Variante Music 2011
Arjun Vagale – Do D Do EP // Tribal Rage 2011
Arjun Vagale – Kill The String // ALiVE Recordings 2010
Arjun Vagale – That Live One // Heatflow Records 2010
Arjun Vagale – Like Her // Brown Eyed Boys 2008
Arjun Vagale – Stomper // MoonTribal Records 2006
Remixes //
James Dutton – Titan (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Tribal Rage 2012
Denis Horvat – She Never Reach The Climax (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Takt 2012
Mabaan Soul – Reggae Light (Arjun Vagale Remix) // MakTub Music 2012
Dale Anderson – Hustlin (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Tribal Rage 2012
Solead – Chicaboo (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Flow Vinyl 2011
Fergie – Come With Me (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Excentric Muzik 2011
Bluephaze – What Is Music? (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Vapour Recordings 2011
Montero – The Beast (Arjun Vagale Remix) // Montero Grooves 2011
Compilations //
Carl Cox At Space – The Revolution Recruits 2012
Faze Magazine Set 02: Mixed by Karotte
VA Minimal House 11