How can a night not spell fun when commercial music is involved? Especially when the #1 ranked International DJ in India is manning the console? Russian DJ Julia Bliss had made her way to the city after three years to perform for Casa Bacardi x Julia Bliss in association with My Kolkata. At the event held on Saturday night (June 24), the quirky-dressed DJ played a number of commercial hits with a combination of mashups that were new to the ear.
Before her performance, the DJ sat down for a chat with My Kolkata about her ongoing projects.
BLISSFUL BEATS
Name: Julia Bliss
Origin: Siberia
DJ Style: Commercial, hip-hop
Kolkata touchdown: After three years
Gig: Casa Bacardi x Julia Bliss at Five Mad Men, in association with My Kolkata, and produced by Decible Events
Avid commercial music lovers joined the dance floor to Julia Bliss’ tunes
Welcome to Kolkata, Julia. How does it feel to be here?
Thank you! I feel great since my arrival at the airport. It’s been a long time since I was last here, so I’m excited. Sadly, I don’t have much time to explore the city, except for trying some rasgulla (laughs).
This is your second gig in Kolkata and your first at Five Mad Men in Sector V. What have you observed about the music scene in Kolkata since then?
I remember the incredible vibe and the feedback from my previous performance. Last time was good and I hope this time will be too. I believe Kolkata responds well to music. I see Kolkata’s music scene as 50:50, that is, 50 per cent dedicated to underground culture and the other half to commercial. Tonight’s gig is a commercial set so it will be interesting to see what it’s like. Especially since I found out we are not in the city’s regular club area but among IT professionals.
Your journey has taken you from being a salesperson in the automobile industry in Russia to moving to Mumbai. How did you get into the art of DJing?
I could write a book! I worked in the automobile industry, lived in Pune, Mumbai, and Goa. I ventured into Bollywood, and when my contracts expired in the automobile industry, I decided to stay back in India and try to discover the opportunities here. I had already studied acting for three years in Siberia, and so I landed roles in Bollywood movies. I gave it a try, loved it, and now I’m moving forward.
I even started my own company, Bliss Bags Pvt Ltd, which manufactured furniture and supplied it across India and internationally. After running it for four years, I decided to shut it down and started a concierge company in Goa, offering luxury services to tourists. But I can’t juggle too many things. Currently, I am focusing on DJing, and just a month ago, I started the DJ Academy by Julia Bliss in Goa, exclusively for female artists from India. Simultaneously, my concierge service is on, both of which I am trying to run... not in sync but beat-matching (laughs).
How has your upbringing in dance and music, including ballet, jazz, traditional Russian dance, street, hip-hop, and piano training, shaped your identity as a DJ?
Tremendously! The girls who come to my academy have varying levels of understanding when it comes to music. What’s important is to feel the rhythm. Dancing is something that allows you to understand the rhythm, counting, and the bars. So, whether it’s ballet or other forms, counting plays a significant role, except maybe in Bollywood (laughs). One, two, three, four... Dancing is all about counting, just like music, which is typically a 4x4 beat. Dance performances helped me to do something music-related, which was DJing. The only difference is that when you dance you usually have a partner or people around you but when you DJ you’re basically on your own, and it’s entirely up to you.
Resident DJs Adrick (centre) and Esdy (right) were on opening duties at Five Mad Men
You are currently the Number 1 International DJ in India according to DJ Mag. How does it feel to hold such a title?
It feels amazing! Achieving this title is a lot of hard work, dedication and focus. Every task you start needs to be completed for which you need to focus. As a DJ, it took me a while to climb the ranks. I started as #2 in DJ Mag, then held the #3 spot for a few years, and now I’m #1 so I am very happy with my achievements.
Circling back to your career in Bollywood… Could you tell us a bit about that?
It was an amazing but challenging time... after which I decided I don’t want to be an actress (laughs). Waking up at 4am, being on set by five, spending an hour on makeup, having breakfast at seven, and finally being on the set at eight… but some people are not yet ready. So, there are a lot of things. You need to remember your lines and that too in Hindi so you feel like, “Okay!” After three months, I decided it was enough. I know some people say acting is all about smiling in front of the camera, that was never the case for me. Nevertheless, I had an amazing experience working on movies like Ghost and Maattrraan, releasing music videos and travelling for promotions. Interviews, radio stations... there was a lot of involvement. It’s gratifying to see people watching your work. My domestic helpers would watch and say, “Madam ye aap ka hai na, gaana? (Madam, isn’t this your song)” I said, “Mera nahin, Sunidhi Chauhan ka hai. (Not mine, it’s by Sunidhi Chauhan.)” (laughs).
Some attendees got up from their seats and danced around their tables
Underground music seems to be really taking over. What are your thoughts on this?
Yes, finally! It really is taking over in Kolkata, as well as cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. So maybe Miss Bliss will play underground here the next time!
Music is ever-changing… how do you stay at the top of your game?
I do a lot of research. I follow music-related news, attend events like ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) every year to learn something new, listen to lectures by professionals, and meet up with DJs and producers. Listening and learning are key. If you’re stagnated and play the same playlist, or are not interested in the top 10 ranks, it won’t help you. I constantly compare myself to my past self and ask if I’m becoming a better DJ or a better teacher. It’s a constantly evolving process that keeps me at the top of my game.
You’ve made India your home for a while now. Which are the top three music festivals in the country, according to you?
I’ve been here for 13 years, and I love Sunburn. I have spent a significant amount of time performing on their main stage. It’s an incredible experience to see music unite thousands of people, allowing them to forget about everything else. Ultra Music Festival and VH1 Supersonic have been great festivals as well. There are numerous festivals taking place across the country, including ones organised by colleges where no drinks are involved, and people are simply happy with the music.
Your Instagram tells us that you are quite into fitness. As a touring artiste, how important is taking care of your health?
I spend around one to one-and-a-half hours at the gym everyday. My routine involves cardio, such as running, for 15 minutes. Focus, dedication and clearing target goals… these three things go hand-in-hand. I have to be fit and in form. I am also a professional mountain skier and I play basketball. I’m learning tennis and next month I’ll be playing golf which is more strategic. Being physically active also helps you with depression and negative thoughts. You can release those emotions during your workout, and then you take a shower with sea salt water and everything seems perfect!
Arnab Rakshit and Mohanish Lama of Decible Events, the event producers
Can you tell us a bit about your collaboration with Casa Bacardi India?
When I perform at a place, my agenda is to engage with the people so we can meet again and again. Just like in sales, where there is a simple sale, you sell them something and then they forget about you. But there are also more complex sales where the person becomes engaged with you and keeps coming back because you have sold not just a product but also your skills. With the collaboration between Casa Bacardi India and myself, I aim to engage with my listeners, promoters, and venues to create lasting connections.
Bacardi also used their signature reusable cups for the event
