Zero 7’s Sam Hardaker in India This Week

Even over an email interview, you can trust a seasoned producer like the U.K.’s Sam Hardaker’s British humor to come through. When asked about his electronica act Zero 7’s music-making process and recording methods and whether they rely on digital means like plugins, Hardaker says, “We record most of what we do live and then edit in the computer”¦ What are plug ins?” Ask him about vaporwave and synthwave that seems to bare a Zero 7 imprint and he says, “You probably need to speak to someone half my age about that, sorry!”

Among the early names to pop up in the chillout, trip-hop, downtempo space in electronic music, Zero 7’s Hardaker ”“ along with co-founder Henry Binns ”“  struck fame and acclaim with 2001’s Simple Things, followed by 2004’s When It Falls. One noted collaborator from the early days was Australian singer-composer Sia Furler, who now enjoys pop stardom (albeit reluctantly). Zero 7, for their part, found many more voices to bring their mellow, carefree and buoyant sound to clubs, festivals and plenty of rainy day/chillout playlists.

Their latest single, “Mono,” featuring a somewhat unknown artist named Hidden, continues their association with powerful voices to fit their production. Hardaker says, “Hidden is a friend of a friend. We were match made, basically. Sometimes your friends know what you need more than you do.” The track ”“ first of a few more singles according to Hardaker ”“ released just weeks before Zero 7’s long-awaited India debut. Hardaker plays DJ sets in two cities ”“ at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined in Bengaluru on November 16th and headlining electronic music festival Disrupt in Mumbai on November 17th.

The producer says it’s the first time they’ve got an offer from India. He adds, “Sadly, I’m not at all clued in to the Indian music scene. Another reason I’m looking forward to coming. I don’t know what to expect at Disrupt but I’m really looking forward to hearing what people are playing and experiencing Mumbai warehouse vibes. Outside of that, I just want to take in what I can in the few days I have in the city.”

Zero 7 (DJ set) headlines Disrupt 2018 at Famous Studios, Mumbai on November 17th. Event details here.