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The rising stars of Colombo’s nightlife

13 Sep 2020

James, Ahamed, Sonura J., Azad F., and TonicBgroovin  By Mahika Panditha It’s Monday tomorrow, so you might as well start planning your week, right? If you have been going out recently, I am pretty sure you have seen one of these guys play. If not, you are completely missing out! The five guys featured this week are the newest faces of Colombo’s nightlife. You are bound to have an amazing night and a memorable one at that, so do be sure to check them out when you get the chance on a Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. Stay tuned to their socials as well as the locations – because you have got to see them play! We had a chance to talk to them last week, but before we get into it, let me introduce them. We have Ghino Fernando (James), Amjed Fazly (Ahamed), Sonura Jayaratne (Sonura J.), Azad Fazly (Azad F.), and Tevan Buell (TonicBgroovin), all of whom are university students. Here is what they had to say! How did you get into music? What inspired you to become a DJ? James: From the time I can remember, music has played a significant role in my life. My childhood friend, who goes by the name “Ahamed”, taught me how to mix over a FaceTime video call during quarantine when I was still in Melbourne. Ahamed: I don’t know, everything happened so fast. I started listening to house music about three years ago and taught myself how to mix two years ago. Once I got good at it, I started playing at parties and uploading podcasts on Mixcloud. Sonura J.: I grew up listening to classic rock and pop songs and from an early age, I loved all genres of music – from RnB to pop, folk, alternative, and house music. Nothing inspired me to start mixing. One day, I called Ghino up on FaceTime because I was bored during quarantine. He was in Aussie and I was in Sri Lanka. He was mixing on his laptop and honestly I had nothing better to do, so I was like “teach me”. Azad F.: It started off in 2013 when all my friends were into EDM (electro dance music) and we would watch Tomorrowland Aftermovies. Watching those videos got us so hyped that I learnt how to mix off of YouTube and started playing at friends’ birthday parties and uploading podcasts on SoundCloud. TonicBgroovin: Well, my mum’s a dance teacher, my dad used to be a part of a choir, my sister used to sing, and I used to play the drums. So I think it’s safe to say that music runs in my family and that we all have an ear for it. When we were younger, I used to accompany my sister’s singing by playing the drums. Although I love the drums, there was no substance to the music I was making. But then my sister introduced me to house music and techno, eventually inspiring me to mess around with this genre of music and become a DJ. Who are some of your favourite artistes/DJs? James: The Martinez Brothers, Dennis Cruz , Mark Knight, A-Jay (SL) Ahamed: Sebastian Busto is one of my favourite artistes; his music really connects with people and that’s what I try to do whenever I play at gigs. I also like PAWSA, Marco Carola, and Solomun. All of their music gives the same vibe, but in their own respective genres. Sonura J.: Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, Patrick Topping, Peggy Gou, Coldplay, Frank Ocean, Two Another, and Tom Misch. Azad F.: Michael Bibi definitely has to be my most favourite because I play and enjoy very similar tracks to what he plays and produces as well. Leandro Da Silva and Mark Knight are two others on the list as well. TonicBgroovin: Since the genre I resonate with is tech house and techno, my five favourites will have to be Solomun, Michael Bibi, PAWSA, Dennis Cruz, and The Martinez Brothers. What has been your favourite memory when playing for people so far? James: The first edition of “Kava Social” which turned out to be the biggest crowd I’ve played for till date. The energy of the crowd was unparalleled to any other gig I’ve played and it was a great feeling to see my friends play before me. Ahamed: Two weeks ago, when I played a remix of Adele’s song Set Fire to the Rain, I was so focused on the deck that I didn’t realise the crowd was going crazy. I wanted to reduce the volume to see the crowd’s reaction and when I did, literally the entire club was singing along. Honestly, those 20 seconds felt like heaven on earth to me. The best part was all my loved ones were right beside me when this was happening. Sonura J.: When I dropped I Feel So Close by Calvin Harris @kavaislandbar. Azad F.: There are too many to choose from, but my favourite would be at White Affair when I played the track The General and I had all my friends and my brother around me, bopping their heads back and forth as I kept switching the filter effect on and off. TonicBgroovin: I can’t really choose a favourite memory because they’re all phenomenal, but if I had to choose a favourite moment, it would have to be when I look up from behind the deck when the drop hits and I see the crowd’s reaction. What is your dream gig location and why? James: I personally don’t mind the location where my gig’s at; what matters more to me is the crowd. Ahamed: A huge private yatch party with only my friends and loved ones because we’re all we have at the end of the day and memories like that can be cherished forever. Sonura J.: Burning Man, and I don’t think I need to explain why! Azad F.: Definitely somewhere by the beach during a beautiful sunset, surrounded by the people I love, because why not? TonicBgroovin: Locally, I would love to play at Closenburg, but internationally, it will have to be Zamna Tulum in Mexico. Because the vibes, energy, and experiences at these events cannot be matched to anything else, in my opinion. Where do you hope to be in five years in terms of your music career? James: Mixing and playing for an audience is more of a hobby than an actual career for me. I’m just lucky to have been given multiple opportunities to play at different venues until I can go back to university. Ahamed: I don’t plan on doing this full-time; it’s just something I do to keep myself happy, but I don’t mind playing clubs or house parties in five years for the people I know. Sonura J.: To be honest, I started this as a chill, side thing due to my love for house music, but now we’re doing events, so I don’t know...I hope to be wherever life takes me in the next five years. Azad F.: This isn’t something I’m doing full-time, but it is definitely a passion/hobby of mine. So in five years, I would be happy if I could still be doing this part-time, playing gigs at clubs or house parties. ToniBgroovin: If I’m able to pursue my career of being a DJ in five years, I would be over the moon. Any events we should keep an eye out for? James: “Sirã Situ” at Botanik on 19 September. Ahamed: There are too many coming up to name. Sonura J.: There are many more to come so stay tuned to the socials. Azad F.: Any event that any of us are playing at. TonicBgroovin: YES! There are many upcoming events!


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