Despite being a tourist hub, the lack of contemporary entertainment options within Fort Kochi is a real downer. Which is why, an upcoming gig at Clubb 18 is being hailed as a melodic homecoming of sorts: both for the musicians involved, namely Greg Tomaz and Sanzy, and the heritage town itself.
“An absence of nightlife-oriented venues is why most artists and visitors, who have arrived for the Biennale, keep frequenting local lackluster watering holes, or the occasional cultural gathering, to socialise,” explains Bengaluru-based Greg, adding, “This is my hometown, yet the last time I performed here was way back in 2017 at AVA Lounge! I’m very excited to be back and hope to reintroduce my signature style of deep progressive house and melodic techno to dance music aficionados at NSFW’s show, Technologic.”
Greg, who is the very first electronic dance music producer from Kerala to land an international record label deal, has most certainly evolved as a music composer and performer in the last two years. The 33-year-old Juicebox Music artiste has racked up multiple gigs around the country (think Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi); shared turntable duties alongside globally-renowned DJs like Nick Warren, Victor Ruiz; played at festivals like Goa's Cntrl+Alt+Delete, and even produced a remix of Traumhouse’s latest single Inner Child.
This weekend, at the No:18 Hotel, fans can witness Greg spinnin’ tunes at the decks alongside Kuala Lumpur-based Santosh Ganesh-better known by his moniker Sanzy. This NRI artiste, who is proud of his Kerala roots, has been entertaining party-goers in Singapore and Malaysia for almost a decade now by playing at superclubs like Kyo, Tuff, and Jiro.
“Performing in the motherland is always a unique experience. I’m used to spaces that open their doors at midnight, a crowd that trickles in at 2 am, and shows that go on till the Sun rises. It’s in stark contrast to club gigs in Kerala, which usually start at 8 pm and end at 11.30 pm!” begins Sanzy, who hosts a radio show called Nautical Miles on Frisky Radio and prefers to dabble within the tech-house/techno spectrum of sounds.
Upon prodding, this shipping industry professional who moonlights as a DJ admits, “Unlike the jaded punters I’ve played for during my various international gigs in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, the high-energy crowd in Kochi is extremely responsive and doesn’t shy away from experimental sounds. Hence, this city is a permanent fixture on my tour diary,” concludes the 34-year-old.
On February 2. At Clubb 18.
From 8 pm.
anoop.p@newindianexpress.com
@godsonlymistake