"You've Got to Keep Practicing If You Wanna Get Better at It" - Mancino Music

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1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I've always been a creative guy. I started learning to play the keyboard when I was 7. I learnt Indian classical music for 5 years. Later, I started with Western classical music and music theory. I'm still learning music theory and also attending piano classes. This is the musical knowledge that drives me as an artist.

I was part of a band not long ago which consisted of 6 artists. That helped a lot with respect to mixing and arranging instruments. My parents play a crucial role in my journey as an artist cause they've supported me for all these years when I was learning the art and are still helping me grow as an artist.

I decided to take up DJing as a career a year ago. It's not a financially stable career as of now, but I don't regret it at all because I'm in the process of turning my passion for making music into my career. Another person who's helped a lot in growing as an artist is Sooraj Nair. He's my manager, and he's one of the reasons I've been able to play so many shows.


2. Is DJ'ing a mainstream and financially stable career in India yet?

I don't think DJing is a mainstream career in India for now because the EDM scene has just started to grow to a higher level in India. I think it will be a more financially stable career in the near future.


3. Who is your favourite artist, and why?

My favourite artist is MARTIN GARRIX. Martin is my biggest inspiration to be a producer. He doesn't stick to one genre but explores new styles and comes out with masterpieces, and this is what I love about him. And also his age, he played ULTRA when he was 17! I fell in love with EDM when I heard 'Virus' and so my journey to be a DJ /Producer began.


4. What are some of the common myths about your profession? 

There are a lot of myths about DJing. Here are some of them :
1- DJs only play tracks that are heard on the site radio!
2- A DJ doesn't require any kind of skill but only pushes a button, and the console does all the work for them

3-All DJs play pre-recorded sets


5. How and from where can one gain formal training for being a DJ?

The practice is everything. You've got to keep practising if you wanna get better at it.
Anyone can be a DJ! The only thing you wanna knows if how to mix tracks that sound great when mixed and to read a crowd. That's the central part of being a good DJ.

You can gain knowledge about DJing from DJ schools in your cities, or you could learn how to DJ on your own through YouTube. That's how I learnt to DJ. I didn't attend a DJ school, I just watched a few tutorials and started mixing on my phone using an app called 'EDJING.'


6. Your message for people who want to make their passion their profession. 

My message to those who want to make your passion your profession is to keep working hard on perfecting their art. Always look for inspiration from those you look up to, try remaking their works perfectly, this will help you get better results when you try to make something with your touch to it as you won't suffer from inexperience.


Lastly, never give up. Your first few words are probably gonna end up really bad but believe me, in time, you'll get there. Give it time, keep learning and keep growing.


7. Which is your favourite book, and why?

Reading is not my cup of tea. But a good read would be Mrio Puzo's 'The Godfather.'


Interview by - Sejal