Setting the beat

Ignatius Camilo, better known as DJ Iggy, tells Sumana B Jayanth why spinning music in Berlin is more exciting that doing the same here

Born in Anjuna, Goa, Iggy is one of India's highest paid models but he insists music, and not the ramp, is his first love. This Tomorrow night he will be at Olive Beach where he will play slow motion disco, electro jazz and deep groovy house.

You are one of the most sought after DJs in the country. Was spinning music a childhood dream?
Like any confused kid, I did not know what I wanted to do in life. I was brought up in Goa, in a typical Goan family, where the choices were limited. All I could think of becoming was a teacher, since my mother was one. Then, I thought I would become a priest. While in college I thought I should get into accounting but my father wanted me to study law. I happened to meet this DJ, who did not have a place to stay in Goa, so I brought him home. I liked what he did. He taught me how to filter music. He liked my taste in music and asked if I would be interested in DJing. I liked the idea and started DJing. He gave me some music from his vault. Of course, the music was pirated! For the record, I don't buy pirated music anymore.

What music did you listen to in your growing years?
All kinds of music. I have played lot of Punjabi bhangra in my early DJing days. I also listened to film music, the chart toppers and anything that caught my fancy. When I began playing, I tried playing my kind of music, but people never liked it and I could never figure out why they wanted monotony.u00a0u00a0

How did you break the mould?
It was a gradual process. First, I started playing the old school of hip-hop. There are some really good numbers when it comes to old school. I playe disco for sometime. Then, I started playing house. So it was a gradual process.u00a0u00a0

What is your take on music today?
Well, music is no more as pure and distinguished like before. In Goa, psychedelic trance was so raw and nice in the 80s. Now, it's all mixed up with commercial music. Even when it comes to house and techno music, so much of bad music is happening.

Whom would you describe as promising DJs?
I like Vachan in Bangalore. He plays good music. But don't ask me for more names! There are so many DJs whose work I like. But one international name would be Laurent Garnier. When you are talking about underground music, the music itself is a kind of trip. The DJ should let the audience get into the music. Speaking in between or playing commercial music is not underground music.u00a0u00a0

You are a successful model, so which is your first love music or modelling?
Music. Modelling happened by accident. I accompanied a friend in Goa for an audition and he urged me to take a shot at it as well. They liked my work and assignments came along.

When it comes to music, which city gets the best out of you?
I like in Bangalore and Chennai. The crowd is interesting. Outside India, it has to be London and Berlin. Out there, people know if I am playing electro house or tech house or deep house. And they know when to scream! They party like crazy. They know the exact meaning of partying, unlike here. I think the 11.30 pm deadline in Bangalore sucks. When Delhi can party into the wee hours, why does Bangalore have to suffer?u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0