MMA Radio: Pramod Sippy aka Sindhi Curry pieces together "lush, dreamy & soulful" grooves

Easily part of a diminishing breed, Pramod Sippy’s career in music is on par with the evolution of dance music whereby he’s journeyed through the changes of both sound and technology to find where he’s at today.

Sippy’s moniker, Sindhi Curry, is a nod to the ‘nuanced delicacy’ that is essentially a rich and tasteful blend of ingredients, akin to his approach to music today: “Sindhi Curry’s sound is a true testament to the diversity in music and its evolution through time.”

Playing a pivotal role in the growth and rise of India’s entertainment and music industries, Sippy was the co-founder of The Bombay Elektrik Project and The Hive. His contributions have been instrumental in establishing cultural centres and movements, creating platforms for emerging talents to showcase their skills.

For Mixmag Asia Radio, Sindhi Curry has taken the liberty to curate a mix of smooth, sultry and soulful house grooves that leaves us with a reminder that summer isn't quite over yet.

Dive into the mind of Pramod Sippy, aka Sindhi Curry, while you tune into his mix below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I was born & raised in Mumbai, India & I reside & work here.

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

There aren’t many venues in Mumbai for Electronic music but there is an open-minded crowd that doesn’t mind exploring & checking out new things. There are small groups/companies that have emerged in the last decade or so & are trying to push different shades of electronic music in the city. There are also some venues that have stood the test of time & are sort of on their way to becoming an institution. Also, since it’s a melting pot of sorts, we get to see a mixed audience at the gigs & that’s quite interesting.

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

Soulful, lush, hypnotic, unique, captivating

And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Passionate, persistent, idealistic

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

I do keep my ears to the ground but am not the kind to follow trends. Lately, I’ve been digging UKG & been dropping some of that in my sets.

I’ve been DJing for almost three decades & there are a few trends I’ve missed witnessing. Also, following trends is for those who want to blend in & play safe. I believe in using my repertoire in music spanning different eras to deliver new experiences to the audience by presenting the old & new in a fresh manner.

Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?

Sadly, none in recent times.

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

The adage ‘My grandmother can DJ now’ stands true in this day & age. Technology has made it extremely simple for anyone to start DJing & even music production has become relatively easier. The downside to this is that there are a lot of sub-par bedroom DJs that have flooded the market and most of their sets sound similar. This will hit the glass ceiling soon.

Record sales are at an all-time high & this is an indication that a lot of people are moving towards analogue and the respect towards it is still intact. Originality & hard work on the console will always shine. Though, those who choose to make use of technology to enhance their creativity will definitely be applauded.

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

Lush deep house and soulful, jazz-influenced disco house are some of my favourite genres. However, I haven't really created proper disco or house sets in the recent past. Most of my mixtapes have music stitched together from a variety of genres & the sets are barely linear or consistent. With this mix, the idea was to create a lush, dreamy & soulful journey whilst maintaining a rather consistent groove.

What equipment did you record this mix on?

I used Traktor software to create this mix, Though, it is one of my least preferred ways of mixing tracks.

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

At a lot of venues, the booth can serve as a vantage point. The DJ witnesses so many vivid, sometimes amusing things from their desk. I think the weirdest & funny thing for me has to be a guest taking the mop from one of the staff & cleaning the floor in sync with the music & that too on a packed floor.

Where can we hear you playing next?

You can find me at Wax On/Wax Off this weekend at Bonobo, and The Big Beat at Quorum.