Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs Makes India Debut This Week

Oxford-bred DJ and producer Orlando Higginbottom aka Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) has developed a following in the last decade not just for his emphatic live shows that ooze U.K. garage and future house, but also for his indie, pop and alternative leanings.

Even with all the genre tags, it’s hard to pin down what sound TEED might stick to in his DJ sets. From a Boiler Room set that included “Urvasi Urvasi” by composer A.R. Rahman to producing an African chant-led track “Virginia” for Gorillaz and Blur lead man Damon Albarn’s Kinshasa One Two in 2011, TEED is often spectral.

In the six years since the release of his debut album Trouble in 2012, TEED has been a regular on the club circuit around the globe, but sparsely released music. Songs like the groovy shimmering pop-influenced “Leave A Light On” and “Don’t You Forget About Me” were out earlier this year, while “Body Move” returned to the pulsating club-friendly sound. TEED brings all this and more to India this weekend, making his India debut courtesy of New Delhi-based events and artist company UnMute. Ahead of the shows, TEED spoke to Rolling Stone India about his debut, DJ sets and more.

How long have these India shows and offers been coming your way?

There have been a few conversations over the years””  I’m glad to be coming for the first time finally. Being able to play a few shows in India is seriously exciting for me and I hope I can build something here over time.

What have you heard about the clubbing circuit in India? Are there any producers you’ve checked out before?

I know very little about the clubbing scene honestly, and that’s partly why I’m excited to come. I’ve heard about some amazing events and festivals, but would like to know more about the clubs and the DJs making waves.

Are you closing out your year with these shows in India or do you have a few more lined up just before 2019 kicks in?

After India I play in Bangkok and then Seoul, both for the first time!

For your 2013 Boiler Room set, you opened with songs by A.R. Rahman and Bappi Lahiri. How did you come across their music?

Two Legends! I saw Bappi Lahiri perform in L.A. recently. And of course A.R. Rahman is internationally recognized as a great. I think when I was about 9 I bought a Nitin Sawhney album (can’t remember which one) that introduced me to certain sounds”¦ and then as a music lover and DJ I just dug and dug for records I loved.

Indian producers and DJs have been dropping some of your tunes and remixes along the way as well at clubs here. What was the most recent instance of feeling happy knowing one of your tunes was part of a set by another DJ/producer?

That is amazing to hear! I’m always surprised and happy when a DJ tells me they’ve been playing a track of mine. That is one of the nicest feelings as a musician”” like hearing your song on the radio. It takes the music away from your hands and becomes everyone’s music.

You’re playing a DJ set out here in India. How do you prepare for a DJ set in a new country, or is the point usually not to prepare much at all and go in and play what you like?

The same as anywhere else, listen to new and old music, find a few exciting things, and then make it up as I go along. I like to be prepared but I only play what I like.

What else is coming up through 2019?

As much as possible!

UnMute presents Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs India 2018

December 13th ”“ Todi Mill Social, Mumbai

December 14th ”“ Auro Kitchen & Bar, New Delhi

Get tickets here.