• IYRE on global music, collaboration, and the modern DJ

In the ever-evolving world of electronic music, few artists manage to create a sound that is both innovative and deeply personal. This week, The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with a musician who has managed to achieve just this, taking his sound to the world. 

IYRE (born Sasith Gamage and based in Colombo) is a DJ and producer who has, over the last few years, carved a niche for himself in the drum and bass (DnB) scene, while also driving the message back home about what it means to be a DJ in the modern global music scene. 

IYRE has rapidly gained recognition in the international DnB scene, being nominated as one of the British magazine Mixmag’s ‘Top 10 Breakthrough DJs’ in 2022 and DJ Mag’s ‘One to Watch’ for 2024. His unique sound blends traditional South Asian influences with the energetic and intricate rhythms characteristic of DnB, showcasing his ability to innovate within the genre. 

The IYRE origin story

Born into a family that valued music and the arts, IYRE began his musical journey with a formal education in Western classical music. “I played in the school brass band at my alma mater Wesley College and led it for three years,” he recalled. “My father recognised my talent early and invested in keyboards, guitars, and formal training – it shaped my understanding of melody and structure.”

IYRE’s sound is defined by a fusion of different elements, from a mix of thunderous drum and bass grooves to intricate metal-inspired riffs to soulful melodies. After years of producing dubstep under the alias ‘iClown,’ he rebranded as IYRE during the pandemic – IYRE is actually an anagram of the Sanskrit word ‘Iyer,’ one iteration of which means healer, and is pronounced ‘eye-ree.’

His passion for electronic music began when he listened to the song ‘Get Up!’ by Korn, featuring Skrillex. Inspired by this collaboration of musician and DJ/producer, he got his hands on his first music production software. 

“That was how I started. There was no plan as such to make music my career or an important part of my life. I actually went to university and was working and making music as a hobby. Things started rolling later on and I began to attract people’s attention. It got to the point where I decided to shift gears (at least momentarily) towards music.” 

This discovery propelled him into production, where he began experimenting with sounds and techniques that would later become his signature. What began with a passion for metal and rock later evolved into an interest in drum and bass after discovering influential artists like Pendulum. 

This transition marked a significant turn in his career, leading him to produce tracks that incorporate elements from both his musical roots and contemporary DnB styles. His work has been featured on notable labels such as Hospital Records, Soulvent Records, UKF, Pilot, Elevate, and Vandal Records, solidifying his position in the global DnB community. 

Despite facing challenges in a relatively small local scene, IYRE has successfully carved out a niche for himself, gaining a substantial following across the UK, Europe, and India.

Playing music globally 

Over the past year, IYRE has toured in the UK and India, with a second tour coming up in and after summer 2025. 

His ability to infuse his music with cultural influences while maintaining the high-energy pulse of drum and bass has set him apart. This global appeal is evident in his collaborations with artists from different parts of the world and in the reception his music has received from diverse audiences.

From the perspective of making music, IYRE is hard at work on an Extended Play (EP) with the music label UKF, a single in collaboration with PAV4N (Pavan Mukhi) of the band Foreign Beggars, as host of a monthly radio show on UK radio channel Kool FM, and many more releases and collaborations.

This breakthrough into the international music scene, like any breakthrough of its kind, was not without its challenges. One of the primary obstacles he faced was gaining recognition in a highly competitive industry. “The music industry isn’t just about talent,” he noted. “It’s about consistency, networking, and understanding how to navigate the business side of things.”

He also emphasised that for artists from regions like Sri Lanka, where the electronic music infrastructure was still developing, the road to global recognition could be even steeper. However, the digital age has brought opportunities that were previously unavailable. 

“Social media, streaming platforms, and online communities have changed the game. You can reach audiences anywhere in the world without being signed to a major label,” IYRE said.

“Even in my case, I am based in Sri Lanka right now but work with with the UK radio industry, collaborate with different producers on different projects, and even recently did a fundraiser in aid of the Los Angeles fires (a few years ago I also raised funds for Pakistan’s flood relief efforts),” he added. 

He further emphasised that a collaborative spirit was essential to be able to make a mark globally, adding that this lack of collaboration he often saw in the Sri Lankan music space served to hinder greater progress for the field. 

“That’s not to say collaboration doesn’t happen, but you don’t see it regularly; it happens in pockets. When it comes to other countries, it’s more holistic; you see rock musicians and metal musicians sing on electronic music records and a lot of other cross-cultural collaborations.” 

The modern DJ

IYRE defines himself as a DJ and producer, and Brunch explored what this particular brand of musician gets up to. 

“Today, 90% of the time, it’s ‘DJ/producer.’ The title DJ alone does not suffice. Most of us, myself included, make original music first, and it’s all about the music first. You make the music and if the music is good you get to DJ,” IYRE explained, noting that his organic growth from uploading tracks online to signing with premier labels like Hospital Records and UKF underscored this shift. 

“My music blew up, labels noticed and started picking it up, I got a lot of press, and opportunities snowballed. People started listening to it and that is how I got bookings. Printworks booked me because its team heard my tracks – Printworks was my second international gig. DJ-ing revolves around making music; most who start DJ-ing navigate into production and vice versa. The skills go hand in hand and there is a whole ecosystem at play,” he said.

This producer-first model has democratised access to global audiences. “You don’t need a major label deal anymore. If your sound connects, you can reach fans in Bristol, Bangalore, or beyond,” said IYRE. 

His 2023 Printworks performance, part of the venue’s historic closing weekender, marked a milestone: “Being one of the few Asian artists [based out of Asia] on that lineup was surreal. It proved that talent transcends borders.”

The connotations of being a DJ in Sri Lanka, however, are somewhat out of date, according to IYRE. “Many people, especially the older generation, are still stuck on the 1980s perception of a DJ, even within the industry,” he said, noting that especially when it came to older musicians, there was a resistance to understand the current model of music production and the role DJs played within it. 

“The situation is entirely different now. In many cases, DJs are music producers who have also branched out into other industries like fashion, videography and, of course, music. A DJ is a musician and that term is also not common anymore. You can’t just look at someone and say they’re a musician either. The most impactful term in the current context is artist, especially because there are so many aspects to being an artist.” 

Defining success in modern music

In an industry where traditional markers of success – record deals, radio airplay, and physical album sales – are shifting, IYRE has embraced a more contemporary approach to measuring achievement. 

For him, success is about impact and longevity. “It’s not just about one viral track,” he explained. “It’s about building a sustainable career where your music continues to resonate with people over time.”

To aspiring artists, IYRE offers a blueprint:

• Authenticity over algorithms: “I made music I loved with no plan to go pro. If you chase trends, you’ll burn out. Stay true to your voice.”
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• Think beyond borders: “Don’t limit yourself to Sri Lanka. This industry is global. Study international markets, collaborate widely, and dream big – if you aim for Mars, you’ll at least reach the moon.”
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• Master the business: “Learn skills like video editing, basic accounting, and English. You can’t just be a musician anymore – you’re a CEO, content creator, and negotiator.”

This perspective has guided his approach to production and performance. Rather than chasing trends, he focuses on creating music that is authentic and deeply connected to his artistic vision. 

Looking ahead, IYRE remains focused on expanding his reach and continuing to evolve as an artist. His upcoming projects include collaborations with international artists, live performances in major cities, and new music that promises to push the boundaries of drum and bass even further.

Beyond his personal career, he is also passionate about contributing to the growth of the electronic music scene in Sri Lanka. 

“I’m super privileged, at the end of the day. My family was supportive of my music education and my father recognised my talent. My wife Vimanthi, who is an artist herself (a choreographer) was also very supportive, as was her family. 

“My manager, Boom Founder Leah Marikkar, has been tirelessly working to elevate IYRE to what it is right now. Her backing and support helped immensely with decisions I had to make and the journey I am on. I’m also privileged to be working with an international audience and most producers I engage with are happy for me to be part of the community.

“I’d like to give a huge shoutout to all the labels I work with in the industry – UKF, Goldfat, Soulvent Records, Hospital Records, Elevate, Dispatch Recordings, Vandal Records, Pilot, and Fokuz Recordings; Kool FM and the Rinse gang; and to all the promoters,” IYRE said. 

He added that he hoped to also create opportunities for aspiring DJs, especially in the drum and bass genre, which is largely uncultivated in Sri Lanka. “If I can help inspire or create opportunities for the next generation of Sri Lankan electronic musicians, that would be incredibly fulfilling.”