Mixmag Asia Radio: AAGUU scores an Anjuna Beach sunrise, circa 1994

Formatively known for his work as one-half of the duo TechNomads, Aashish Gupta aka AAGUU takes us back to Anjuna Beach in Goa, circa 1994 on this episode of Mixmag Asia Radio.

Raised in Bangalore, in 2018, Aashish embarked on a move to Berlin to deepen his affinity to to the global electronic scene. It was in Berlin that AAGUU was born.

His debut release came about in 2019 through Todh Teri’s “Deep in India” series, which is an ode to his love for the 80’s Indian cinema music. Since then, he’s been making appearances at festivals and clubs in Europe and India, and being billed alongside Gerd Janson, Alex Kassian, Axel Boman, Ame, Studio Barnhus and more.

Fast forward to 2023, and Aashish currently resides in Goa, from where his poetic approach to music and DJing seems to be flourishing well for him.

For this week’s episode of Mixmag Asia Radio, AAGUU has managed to concoct a mix that exudes a groovy sense of psychedelia blended with fluid body music. Tune in below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I grew up in Bangalore and looking back - I realise that music has taken me to different places all my life. It was Berlin in 2018 and now it’s Goa.


What’s your favourite thing about the music scene there?

Goa has had a huge impact on the early electronic music scene. Anjuna Beach has been the dance floor to some of the wildest raves since the 60s. Today, Goa is bursting with energy as India's creative capital which makes living here amazing.


In five words, what do your DJ sets sound like?

I’m not sure if I’m doing justice to my vision just yet.


And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Collector of stories


What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to? Have you caught onto them?

More recently I do feel connected to the 90s, it makes me nostalgic but I try not to get too attached to something. I am constantly seeking to discover new sounds.


Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention? Please name up to 3 and tell us why.

I’ve had the opportunity to travel around Asia to a number of clubs and music festivals, and listen to so many amazing DJs - it would be impossible to name just three.


Describe one prediction you have about dance music in a post-pandemic world that’s being driven by new technologies.

During the pandemic when DJ sets were being streamed online, I was afraid we were soon going to attend “music festivals” in the metaverse with our VR gear on but post-pandemic, I am reassured that nothing can replace the pure energy of a dance floor. And technology should continue to be used to create better dance floor experiences.


Tell us about the inspiration behind this mix - what drove your thoughts and emotions, and how did you curate your selection?

I imagined playing the sunrise slot on Anjuna Beach in 1994.


What equipment did you record this mix on?

Some of the music in the mix are vinyl-only releases which I have had to digitise and then compile together on Ableton Live.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happening from the DJ booth?

I’ve been doing this for so long that nothing seems out of place anymore.


Where can we hear you playing next?

I will be closing the garden stage at Re:treat Festival, Vietnam on October 28 and later in the year I will close the Theatre Pavilion at Wonderfruit, Thailand on December 14 and on the same weekend, I’m back in India for the debut edition my showcase - Solar Spirit at Magnetic Fields Festival closing the Desert Stage b2b with Alex Kassian.