Funkagenda To Take Over Mumbai and Bengaluru

Funkagenda

LA-based tech house producer Adam Walder’s love affair with music began when he was 13. He had been given the task of programming the backing tracks for his father’s club act. Forming numerous bands of his own through high school, Walder’s focus revolved around jazz, funk and rock until he discovered electronic music in the late Nineties. Performing as Funkagenda, the artist, who became famous for his version of Laurent Garnier’s “Man With The Red Face” with British techno producer Mark Knight, will be in India this weekend for three shows. Citing influences that range from contemporary electronica heavyweights such as French duo Daft Punk and British producer Fat Boy Slim, to internet sensations such as Scottish band Chvrches and American producer Porter Robinson and older singer-songwriters such as Prince, John Martyn and Marvin Gaye, Walder says that his sound can’t be compartmentalized. Says Walder, 36, “You tend to find that once the hype about a musical trend has dissipated, the artists get creative and all that being said, if you have to get on the mic to tell people when they have to ”˜fucking jump’, then your record is probably not good enough.”

Over the course of a career that includes numerous awards and a Grammy nomination, Walder has worked with British electronica duo Basement Jaxx, American singer-songwriter Moby and English house music trio Dirty Vegas, among others. Says Walder, “Example [English songwriter/rapper who hit big with] was definitely one of my favorite sessions. He was so much fun to work with and really easy going. I’ve always enjoyed working with Mark Knight. Despite the fact that we were constantly arguing in the studio, we always made time for biscuits or pot noodles. And obviously I love working with my friends Paul Thomas, Micky Slim and Chris Lake too.”

Averse to pre-recorded samples, synth mods and loops, the artist uses software such as Ni Massive and Camel Audio Alchemy. Currently working on his third studio album, Funkagenda regularly imbibes eclectic elements of progressive house, dubstep, drum ”˜n bass and techno in his music, stretching the parameters of what constitutes dance music. The artist says of the EDM scene, “I think the more traditional progressive house sound is on its way back in a big way. The long builds, crescendos, the spooky noises, the ethereal vocals. It’s a sound I am very immersed in. Techno is becoming melodic, deep house is becoming harder and artists like Jeremy Olander and Eric Prydz are there to meet them in the middle.”

After his performances in Mumbai and Bengaluru for Vh1 Supersonic Club Nights, Walder will jet off to the US for shows in Orlando and Houston before driving up to Black Rock City for Burning Man festival.

Supersonic 101

August 15th, 2014 – Narsee Monjee College, Mumbai

Vh1 Supersonic Club Nights Tour

August 16^th – Blue Frog, Mumbai
August 17^th – Sanctum, Bengaluru

Entry: Rs. 500