A corporate employee by day, a student in the evening and a DJ from the heart — meet 25-year-old Kaushik Das aka DJ Roop. The Calcutta boy is now living his dream with an opportunity to play at Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium this year. t2 caught up with the super enthusiastic lad who wears many hats but has his soul dedicated to music.
Congratulations on bagging your big gig at Tomorrowland 2024! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am currently working as a full-time software engineer in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). I am also pursuing my full-time M.Tech degree from Jadavpur University. I am a disc jockey (DJ) and music producer by passion and my stage name is DJ Roop. Side-by-side, I am currently working with the Tomorrowland Foundation Music & Arts School, Calcutta, as their DJing faculty.
Since when have you been DJing? And when did the idea of performing at Tomorrowland occur to you?
To be honest, my first musical performance was when I was two years old and then when I grew up, I learnt DJing from a parar dada, but back in class XI-XII, my parents wanted me to focus on my studies more than anything else. In college, I started participating in fests. But the main story started on November 11, 2022, after I had officially announced my performance at Sunburn Goa 2022 — Asia’s biggest music festival, from my social media. Later at night, I wondered why I shouldn't aim to play at Tomorrowland?
Then in December, I got the news online that Tomorrowland has collaborated with an NGO in the city and they have opened their second music and arts school here. I mailed the NGO instantly but I didn't receive a reply then, but surprisingly in the last week of December they asked me if I could visit the school on December 27 because DJ Makasi was coming from Tomorrowland for a small workshop. But I couldn’t make it because on the same day I had my performance at Sunburn Goa. So they asked me if I could meet DJ Makasi at Sunburn Goa itself, and I agreed.
After coming to Calcutta, in January 2023 I finally went to meet them at the NGO school and took a small workshop with a few kids, and after a few days again I was asked to take a four days DJing and live performance workshop, that eventually led to me giving them full lessons in basic DJing.
You played during Martin Garrix's gig the last time he was in the city...
Yes, I was the first one to open the event. During that day Martin Garrix visited our NGO and interacted with the kids but since my set timings clashed, I couldn't meet him at the Tomorrowland Music & Arts School here. However, I had done the console setup for him before leaving for my gig (smiles) and it was there that I got to interact with a few official employees of Tomorrowland.
I didn't miss meeting the legendary Armin van Buuren when he came to visit and interact with the kids here at the foundation. I was present and interacted with him briefly about music as he and Laura van Dam played for the kids.
So when did the chance of playing at Tomorrowland 2024 happen?
Last year on December 26, I was working at my office and was a bit sad
because I got no correct gig on NYE. Suddenly in the afternoon, I got an Instagram text from one of the Tomorrowland employees, whom I met during Martin Garrix’s visit, asking if I was available on July 27, 2024. I said yes, and that is when he told me that they wanted to have me perform at Tomorrowland Belgium 2024!
Wow, what was your initial reaction?
(Excited) After seeing this I was almost jumping inside my office ODC! The scenario was a bit weird, all my sadness was gone and I was totally clueless about how to react to this. I instantly called my parents and informed them about this and they were really happy. I asked a few of my college seniors if I would have any semester exams during that time, and I confirmed them. I told this news to one of my colleagues and also to one of my very close friends. Later on the same day, I got the first ever email regarding my act at Tomorrowland Belgium 2024. The feeling is unreal. Later, the gig was finally confirmed over email, confirming my travel and stay would be taken care.
Tomorrowland is one of the biggest music festivals! Tell us more about your scheduled gig.
I am performing at Tomorrowland Belgium 2024 on July 27 at the RISE Stage for Yves V presents V Sessions. I have planned to wear something like a kurta and work a bit more on my looks, because I am representing India.
How is your music set going to be?
I am an Indian and I would want to represent India there. I am thinking of an English song remix but the remix will have an Indian essence like a sitar or harmonium touch or an Indian popular song thrown in between. Actually, the playlist will take time as I’m awaiting music rights, copyrights etc…. Being a Bengali, I want to play some iconic Bengali song or line from the track but it’s not confirmed. But I will definitely want to put a touch of India on the global map. I don’t want to be just another DJ. I’ll be going from India and I feel I should be sounding Indian too.
Are there any particular artists or genres that have inspired your set for Tomorrowland?
Hardwell has been my first-ever inspiration. I used to watch his performance videos and that is when I started getting interested in music festivals. Other than that I have always looked up to Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Alesso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren and many more. I do have plans of playing Bigroom or Progressive, which has actually made me fall in love with dance music scene.
What's your preparation routine like?
To be honest, I don’t have a particular routine on this. I keep doing my musical stuff whenever and wherever I get time. That can be just for five minutes or maybe for five hours straight.
Lastly, what message or emotions do you aim to convey through your music at the international music festival?
The message would be spread love, live the moment and you just got one life, so give your everything to fulfil your dreams.