Take a look as Indian DJ and turntablist Sanjay Meraj aka The Spindoctor gets into a chat with us and about DJ-ing and his experience of live performances.
DJ-ing is an art and there are very few who can pull it off. A good DJ can make a crowd go wild and get them dancing to their tunes. There are very few DJs in India who play around the country as well as the globe and Sanjay Meriya aka The Spindoctor is one of them. Sanjay is an Indian DJ who has completed his studies as a doctor but took up DJ-ing as a profession out of his love for music. As a turntablist, he gets people grooving with his beats and music. He earned his nickname after getting into DJ-ing back during his college days where he participated in competitions and even won some of them. He is also the part of India's famous Hip-Hop act, "Gully Gang" and has performed with the group in various events. Sanjay's energetic stage presence and his great music have earned him several fans. We got into a chat with him recently where he spoke about his life as a DJ and a lot more.
Here's all that The Spindoctor had to share:
- What made you start creating music and when did you begin?
"I’ve always wanted to create something with my own style and I think after learning to DJ, I started making my own bootlegs and edits back in 2010 and then went on to produce my own music in 2013-14.
Content creation as a turntablist has always been my priority but to create good quality content with proper direction took me a while to learn and I only just started putting up videos on my YouTube channel about a year ago."
- What makes your content stand out?
"My main content is called a “freestyle session” where I collaborate with street artists who practice arts like BBoy, BMX freestyle, football freestyle and even dancers. The collaboration is essentially their art performed over my scratch routine. There isn’t anyone doing these kinds of collaborations and perhaps that’s one reason I think my content stands out.
Also, as a DJ, I travel a lot so I take that as an opportunity to document these trips and turn them into vlogs to showcase the travel aspect of the DJ and my humor is always a plus point."
- How do you choose what to promote on your feed and what not to?
"Good content which you’ve put a lot of effort into and invested in terms of time, money and production should always be promoted."
- One instance/experience that made it all worthwhile?
"Being invited to give a talk at a TEDx Event is definitely a highlight and reflection of all my efforts."
View this post on InstagramMe to @lostfilms_ : what’s the next pose ? @lostfilms_ : palathi maar Ke Beth ⚔️
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Also Read- #KetchupTalks feat. Sartek – The talented musician talks all things music
- What does a regular day look like for you?
"I don’t have a fixed routine, everyday is a different day for me. One day, I’m just lazing and next, I’ve completed about 50 tasks and then there are days when I’m travelling and in a different country."
- How do you make moolahs?
"Moolah is all about the gigs, that’s my primary source of income right now but I also make money from my music and from brand collaborations on social media."
- Where do you get ideas for your videos from?
"I like to pick the most impossible combinations and try to blend them with each other. Impossibility is my inspiration."
- Weirdest brief ever received?
"People asking to do things for free is always weird, especially full entire performances."
- If not a producer, what would you be?
"A Doctor. In reality, I’m actually a doctor by profession, I’ve done my MBBS and everything. I also think I would be a good stylist since my second interest is style and fashion."
- Message/tips for upcoming musicians/DJs/Producers.
"Simple message, make plans to reach your goals and if one fails have a back up plan. Trust yourself, keep working hard and always aim to do things out of the box."
View this post on Instagram@wtf.s.i.d with his trippy stuff as usual
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Check out how The Spindoctor replied to our Quick 5 -
One Artist you want to collaborate with?
"French Montana or Tory Lanez"
What inspires you to create music?
"My management team; Shark & Ink. They push me constantly to create more."
Weirdest or funniest comment you have received?
“You look like DJ Snake”
Favourite genre of music?
"Hip-hop"
Favourite part of your job?
"Travelling and enjoying the different food"