BLOT originated 10 years ago in a basement in New Delhi. “We started with an ‘ambitions mightier- than-our-talent attitude’ and an affinity for the ‘basic love of things.’ Our aim was to create ‘live cinema’ that people could dance to,” says Gaurav Malaker, the man behind the project. Today, that’s exactly what the project is known for, immersive audiovisual sets and intense yet minimal electronica. Tonight, he plays live at the Deep Dictionary gig at The Humming Tree.
“I spent three years as a kid in Bengaluru. I was in FAPS and I’ve always had a liking for the people here. I expect a spirited audience, and to be stuck in at least two traffic jams,” he says, only half-jokingly.
When BLOT started in 2007, it had no distinct style or genre. But after a year of playing, they discovered their aesthetic. “We released our debut album, Snafu, on Universal Music in 2013. Once the song Empire Waste was picked up, it gave me a sense of confidence and conviction, to stick to my vision of an ethereal moody party with sort of dreamy melodic sounds tied to a dancey aesthetic,” he reveals.
Gaurav, who also played a packed Boiler Room gig earlier this year, now has about 12 tracks ready that he plans to release in the next six months. Along with an EP of remixes of some Indian artistes (Begum, Don Bhatt, Aqua Dominatrix and Peter Cat Recording Company), Gaurav is also working on a series of action figurines based on stereotypical people at a nightclub called Resin Ravers. “I also had the opportunity to work with really great pop surrealist artists from India and the US to create some amazing artwork for posters and art-prints, these will be out later this month,” he signs off.
Rs. 300. Tonight, 8 pm. At The Humming Tree, Indira Nagar.
Details: 25201201