Calcutta’s techno scene is growing slow and steady and the city recently witnessed a smashing night featuring Copenhagen-based Denis Horvat at Roots, the popular party destination on Chowringhee. Post his power-packed set that left a packed Roots swaying to his beats, t2 caught up with the DJ for a quick chat. Excerpts...
How was your experience at your performance at Roots?
It was my first time in the city and I am really overwhelmed with all the warm hospitality and loving people out here. Undoubtedly an experience to remember for a long long time.
Calcutta's techno scene is fast growing. Did the crowd reciprocate to your set?
Hundred per cent yes. It was quite a surprise for me to know the audience was well educated with the sound I play and to play for over 1,000 people in a nightclub speaks for itself of how the current techno scene has made an impact in the city. Grateful to have had the opportunity to play in Calcutta.
Could you describe your power-packed set that you played?
It was a range of tracks with some unreleased music and the most famous ones. Definitely one of the sets I will remember a while for the way the crowd responded and showed love.
For the uninitiated how would you define your style of music right now? Would you say it has changed since Cedevita days?
It’s really hard to define in particular as I have managed to somehow adopt a peculiar unique signature sound of my own. In short, I can describe it as the “synthesizer techno”. Producing music is an ever-evolving process and I enjoy and live every bit of it.
Your page describes you as “Danish bred” but you have Croatian roots, what is the story behind it? Is there any Croatian influence in your music?
Born to Croatian parents in Frederiksvaerk, a small village north west of Copenhagen, I grew up on a musical education of my dad’s 80s records, with quite a simple musical background as a drummer.
Lastly, tell us what’s keeping you super busy at the moment? Anything you are working on that your fans across the world can look forward to?
Quite a lot to be honest. Non-stop touring my set across various major festivals and venues. Whole bunch of new music straight out of the studio once it’s ready to be put out in the world.
“I really enjoy techno music and it was a great night in terms of Denis’s set. The vibe at Roots was superb,” said Angela Elizabeth.
Shiladitya Bose aka Arcane was among some of the DJs who played on the same night. “I played a couple of my unreleased music, my track Shockwaves, then Tiger Blind — Ashes (Angelov Remix) to name a few,” said the DJ who opened for Denis, seen here with girlfriend Sevina Kahlon (left) and friend Ahana Chatterjee.
“The vibe at Roots was good, and being a lover of techno music, it was good to see a sorted crowd who had come for the love of the genre. Overall I had a nice time,” said Tiffany Ann Alice Brewer (centre).
“Honestly, I am not yet a fan of techno but with the growing number of techno events in the city, I am getting a hang of it. It was a packed scene at Roots and Denis played a smashing set, I really enjoyed his music,” said Barbie Singh (right) with friend Puja Pandey