What began as a chance encounter with music production in law school transformed into a full-fledged career for Khordad Edulji, a 26-year-old disc jockey (DJ), producer and sound engineer from Hyderabad. "The journey has been fantastic and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it so far. It’s been a process of constant self-learning to keep up with consistent evolutions in music technology,” he says.
The musician runs Le Bijou Studios in Sainikpuri, Hyderabad, which offers production and DJ classes, as well as a slew of musical services such as recording, mixing, mastering, etc. The studio’s Facebook page describes it as a "music production and recording studio focused on providing personalized music production and DJ courses as well as all around audio and acoustic services and solutions.”
"I am also concentrating on reinventing my own sounds; my vision is to have my own sonic signature carry through all of my work, unhinged and uninfluenced by current trends. Teaching has me challenging myself and learning new concepts all the time to provide the best value I can to anyone walking in here for either a recording, mixing, mastering session or even someone seeking knowledge. It’s very important to stay updated with the latest technology and developments in music,” he says.
Edulji’s music is atmospheric, soulful and deep, with an inclination toward unconventional sounds and wholesome melodic composition. It is not traditional electronic music by any standard, and evokes a lot of emotion in the listener’s mind.
His music making process involves starting with a musical idea, focusing on getting a sound that works. He plays around on a workstation till he has a concrete idea, then builds up the arrangement section by section, adding transitional effects and variation. He then mixes the track in his own studio and masters it as well. He likes mixing certain elements, and touching them up with extra effects.
Sometime in 2016 he released a two track EP (extended play album), with Mistique Music, a label well known for its progressive sounds.
"It’s more than just a music school. It is a place for music solutions in Hyderabad. And a full-fledged professional recording studio as well,” he explains. One of the main reasons for this is his single-minded focus on music production, teaching, and engineering music for other artists. He finds that most rewarding.
While some people might find undertaking all this solo rather daunting, Edulji is unfazed. It is challenging running the studio alone as he has to take on various roles right through the day, but there is a hunger, and he sees himself reflected in many of his students. The latter are free to ask him to explain any matters they may have doubts about. The studio offers personalized classes and courses based on each individual student’s requirement.
Edulji is focusing on writing music with a narrative in mind, and especially writing longer pieces of music. In order to do this, he steps outside the studio, often with a little handheld recorder to capture the sounds of branches, dry leaves, rain, or any ambient sounds. He loves using these natural sounds as background ambience. Of late, he has been enjoying taking things from the organic natural world and giving them a synthetic touch, creating percussion sounds out of them.
Standing apart in an industry where there are so many producers and different kinds of music is tough. But the musician believes in being the best version of himself.
He had completed a course in electronic music production in Bangalore during his law course winter break, before eventually shifting to his home base, Hyderabad. While in Bangalore, he learnt how to properly convert musical ideas to fully finished tracks. He also got a lot of feedback from professionals about his music which helped him to hone his sound further. Deciding that music was the only way forward, after completing his law course, he returned to Bangalore for a while where he disc jockeyed and worked in a studio.
He has played a lot in Bangalore: opening sets for international artists, as well as headlined nights. He plays uplifting sets, and is equally comfortable playing long and short sets. Whether it is for an hour-and-a-half or five, Edulji’s sets take one on a distinct journey, from start to finish. His talent even took him to Singapore, where he played his first international gig. "The Singapore nightlife scene is great, the people are very receptive towards quality dance music, and I had a blast playing there,” he shares.
He has lent his tunes towards social causes, working with the Ashwin Maharaj Foundation which provides rehabilitation to cancer patients through music therapy. The Foundation offers legal counsel, helps spread awareness about stem cell transplants and provides supplementary nutrition for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Edulji has spent more time trying to make music than he has in class; something that has paid off well today. He shares that he had the good luck of playing DJ sets and jamming with other musicians at his law school, O. P. Jindal Global University, for various events on campus. This helped him understand how sounds work on larger systems, as well as the differences in process and procedure when collaborating with live musicians. Prior to that he studied at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Sri Rama Krishna Vidyalaya in Secunderabad.
While running a studio and making music can take up most of one’s time, the music maker makes it a point to relax whenever possible. Amongst young Parsi musicians he admires Sanaya (Sandunes). He loves reading, and recommends Sapiens and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari. Meditation has become a daily ritual ever since he completed a 10-day Vipassana meditation program a few months ago. "I really love meditating. It calms the body and mind, and has helped me focus more on my goals.” Though not particularly religious Edulji believes the community should be more inclusive.
The world of music and arts is wrought with uncertainty, rewarding though it may be. Expectedly, Edulji’s family was worried about him jumping into a creative field that lacks the stability of a nine to five corporate job. His father Viraf is a retired merchant navy captain, mother Beyniaz, a freelance writer and organic farmer, sister Kainaz Edulji Reddy is an Instagram influencer and brother-in-law Ashish Reddy, a professional cricketer. But, over time, they have come to understand that music is what drives him and what’s best for him simply because he enjoys it and is good at it. "They have been very supportive of my endeavors, and continue to encourage me in pursuing what I love.”
It is because of Khordad’s efforts that budding DJs and producers from Hyderabad can avail of a dedicated school where they can learn the skills they require under individual care. An old garage was converted into the music studio. The musician himself oversaw the construction, and implementation of each and every element that is required to make a comprehensive music creation and recording space.
Khordad can be reached via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/lebijoustudio/?ref=br_rs; Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lebijoustudio/; email:
kdedulji@gmail.com; tel: +91 8008603240.