mid-day exclusive: Ahead of his gig in Goa, world's No. 1 DJ, Martin Garrix, on handling success and his love for India
While most 21-year-olds are either completing their academics or testing the waters as new professionals, Martin Garrix sits pretty as the undisputed leader in the world of electronic music. Topping DJ Mag's list of world's leading DJs for the second time in a row, the Dutch music producer may be too good, too soon, but he is in no mood to slow down just yet.
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As the musician is set to hit the stage in Goa as part of Time Out 72 on December 29, he tells mid-day, in an exclusive chat, what brings him back to India, how he feels the pressure of stardom and his upcoming projects.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
You've visited the country before a couple of times, including last year. How has the experience been?
Crazy! I love coming to India. This place has so much energy and so many loyal fans. Every time I do a show, they go crazy; I love that vibe. I always get so much support here. Sometimes, people are already waiting at the airport [to greet me on my arrival].
What's your set going to be like for the upcoming gig?
You will have to come and see for yourself. I might have some surprises for you (laughs). I'm expecting some craziness from the crowd.
How long will you be here for?
I will probably be in India for the weekend. So, if I have some time off, I would like to do some sightseeing.
You have reached your position at an unusually early age. Do you feel the pressure of stardom?
I do, sometimes, but I think that is normal for an artiste. You want to evolve and show your talent to the world. It's just that I don't want to disappoint my fans; I want to give the best
of myself every single day.
What keeps you motivated?
My love for music keeps me going. It's a hobby that has grown to a certain level. As soon as I wake up, I listen to music and I go to bed listening to music. Also, my fans keep me motivated with their support. To see them have fun and sing along at shows gives me energy.
Do you think social media has helped you reach out to a wider audience?
Social media allows you to connect with your fans at all times. It creates more engagement when people can see where I am and what I am doing. It has played an important role in my career.
You've composed music for a few short films and documentaries. Do you plan to compose for feature films too?
I would love to compose more music for films. I'm interested in all kinds of music, so that's definitely something I'd go for. But as of now, it's not my priority. Currently, I'm focussed on producing new music.
Tell us about your upcoming projects.
I have a lot of unreleased tracks and I want to bring out the best ones soon. I've been in the studio with Ryan Tedder [American singer-songwriter], working on a project, which I'm quite excited about.
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