Its gritty, steady synth arpeggios will weave a spell of addiction.
And its tension will haunt you, striking fear to the core.
If I were you, I would surrender.
If I were you I would obey.
Read our discussion with PANELIA below.
Describe your sound in 3 words
Hazy, gritty & emotional
“Obey The Machine” seems to be a pivotal track for you. Can you explain the story behind the song and what it symbolizes for your artistic journey?
Indeed, Obey the Machine reflects a period when I let the music that worked influence how I created and presented my music. As an upcoming artist, I was heavily influenced by the artists I was exploring at the time, and I focused on making music that worked well in clubs. Without thinking about my own artistic voice or pushing myself to be original, I made music that fit the trends, perhaps I prioritized getting booked over focusing on my individuality, this caused me to lose sight of my own creativity and led to music that was less unique and more predictable. In hindsight I don’t necessarily think that was all bad for me, It made me who i am today for sure but at this point i also feel that it’s important for me to be non conformist and make music that excites me as well as make me uncomfortable, music that questions my own beliefs.
PANELIA seems like a rebirth of sorts for you as an artist. How would you describe this transformation and evolution in your sound?
Yes, it is a rebirth and I think having reached a point in my artist career where I can experiment without having the pressure of making it in the music Industry, I feel the freedom to explore and push my creativity. This is an exciting, yet uncomfortable, beginning that allows me to challenge my own understanding of music and helps me to venture into left leaning sounds. Through this project, I am able to sculpt and twist ideas in ways that defy convention, leading to edgier spaces.
You’ve cited artists like Burial and Nine Inch Nails as early influences. How do their sounds inform your music today, especially in PANELIA?
The distortion and grittiness in the sounds of Burial and Nine Inch Nails inspire me a lot. Both have a distinct sound that is noisy yet warm and organic, with a certain character that I find massively impactful. I’ve always admired the distortion in Nine Inch Nails’ music, which almost makes their sound rebellious and extremely empowering. With PANELIA, I’ve tried to capture this same essence, infusing my own music with a noisy, gritty, yet warm and organic sound.
Do you think there is a true underground sound today?
In my understanding, which may not be comprehensive, the concept of underground music has largely diminished in the current era. With the access of the internet, music genres like jungle, breakbeat, house, techno, or even hip hop for that matter, which were once underground, are now accessible to a wider audience and have become alternative if not mainstream. While there are still sub-genres that remain less accessible and are found in the more obscure sections of record stores or Bandcamp, they do not possess the revolutionary character of the styles i mentioned above
“Obey The Machine” touches on the pressure to conform in the music industry. How have you dealt with these pressures personally, and how do you resist them in your new work?
While I was happy to have a career in music, a part of me felt restricted, limited, and uninspired. As my own worst critic, I largely felt that my music was not the truest representation of my creative self, lacking intent and authenticity. Hearing that my tracks reminds others of different artists was emotionally disheartening, but I continued to hone my craft, pushing myself to create more authentic music. With PANELIA I’ve decided to make it about myself, do things that I truly believe in, and I am finally heading towards a place where I feel my music represents who I am. It’s like the song “My little Universe” by Depeche Mode
Coming from a small town in Gujarat, how did your early environment shape your relationship with music, given the lack of exposure you had?
My love for music is owed entirely to my father, who ran a music store. As the son of a music store owner, I was exposed to great music from a young age, and although the early exposure was primarily Bollywood music, I found myself drawn to a few selective rock and English pop albums that he had. Despite not understanding the words, the sounds captivated me. In my teenage years, I became obsessed with music channels on TV, often finding myself glued to the screen. As I got access to a computer and the internet, I discovered a lot of electronic music and that’s where it all began from. I never experienced a live gig growing up and always wondered what it must feel like. I feel fortunate that i get to do this now, it means the world to me
What can fans expect from your live performances as PANELIA, and how do you plan to bring the energy and emotion of Nothing And All At Once to the stage?
They can expect a lot of drama and storytelling through music, visuals and scenography. I am working towards making a really special show for them
Thank you!
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