Mixmag Asia Radio: Rasa leads India's bassheads of "Bassluru"

Meet Rasa — a Bangalore based DJ who took her first steps as a DJ during the COVID-19 outbreak, when everyone was confined to their homes and clubs were closed. As the world rebirthed, so did this bass-fuelled female phenomenon with a penchant for high energy and dark spaces.

While you hit play below, get to know this young Queen of India’s bass scene, and will soon be heard playing at a club near you.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I’m based out of Bengaluru, India. I moved here 6 years ago to pursue my IT career, and now music career as well.

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

Bengaluru, also fondly called Bassluru is my favourite city in the country because we have an amazing tightly knit bass community here, the support from fellow bassheads is really inspiring.

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

Electronic sounds for a boogie, or a mosh.

And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

I’d use physics to describe myself, ‘unstoppable force of the galaxy’.

What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to?

I’ve been really fascinated by the audio-visual sets some artists have been showcasing, it’s a treat to experience that, and it’s something I wish to include in my sets In future.

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

Producers like Three Oscillators aka BrijPlease (based out of Mumbai) have been creating some fine cutting-edge electronic music for a while now.

Yung Raj (based out of Hyderabad) is the most versatile bass music producer in the country. Kaali Duniya (based out of Mumbai), he’s one of my favourite dub producers in the Indian music scene.

From pre to post-pandemic, what has changed & what hasn’t changed about your life?

I only started DJing during the lockdown. From pre to post-pandemic, I would say I transitioned from being a raver/bedroom DJ to a club DJ, and everything’s changed since. It's been a wonderful ride so far, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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

I feel inspired by all the music around me, from the classics to the latest releases, to everything in between. Actively curating and sharing music from the multitude that I listen to, has become a daily routine.

I was recently on a tour in India during which I got to connect with some brilliant DJs and producers, and this mix features some unreleased gems from these local warriors, inspired by the sounds of their cities and surroundings. This mix is dark, and fun, with a hint of nostalgia for all the places I’ve been to.

What equipment did you record this mix on?

I recorded this mix using my mixer Pioneer DJM 450.

Where can we hear you playing next?

I’m currently working on guest mixes for worldwide radio shows, which would really put me on the global map. Also, watch out for my gigs in various cities in India and around, bringing a fresh bag of tunes to the dance floors near you.