HARJI discusses his latest collab with Nhii, ‘Y Que Tengo’, released on Amémé’s One Tribe Records

New Delhi-born, Brooklyn-based HARJI is a multi-disciplined artist who draws inspiration from Latin, Punjabi folk and many other electronic styles. His percussive musical productions result in rich, organic grooves. We caught up with HARJI following the release of his latest project alongside Nhii…

HARJI! Thanks for chatting to Music is 4 Lovers, how’s life?

Life has been quite the journey lately. Between the endless travels and the boundless interactions with fascinating souls, there’s a certain magic that never fades. Nhii and I recently built a new music studio in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and it’s turned into a place where creativity and collaborations truly come to life. We both have some incredible music lined up this year. So, life? It’s a beautiful chaos, couldn’t ask for more.

This month, you’re linking up with Nhii for a new release on AMÉMÉ’s One Tribe Records, ‘Y Que Tengo’; what can you tell us about the record?

This record came together pretty naturally. I was digging through music on Bandcamp; for some reason, I feel like I’m not clouded by an algorithm on that platform. After some browsing, I found some stuff by Mat Brooker that gave me goosebumps. I whipped up a quick demo and played it in my sets for a few weeks. One day, Nhii and I were in the studio together, and I let him hear it. He immediately resonated with the record. His knack for basslines and melodies really elevated the track to the next level; the man is a wizard! The record was a perfect fit for One Tribe’s sound, and the icing on the cake was the remix by JOESKI.

What do you think are the foundations for a great dance track?

Less is more, and sample selection is key. Some of my best records are no more than 12 tracks. Don’t get caught up in tutorials showing DAWs with 50+ tracks. A solid bassline and drum pattern can go a long way.

Do you tend to draw inspiration from any particular styles?

Interestingly, my personal playlists on Spotify are a palette of genres far from dance music. I really dive deep into classical music, folk, indie rock, old Hindi and Arabic songs, and even some vintage jazz and classic rock. It’s this mosaic of sounds that fuels my inspiration, keeping my creative spirit unbound and always evolving.

As an artist, what has it been like to travel from New Delhi to New York?

Traveling from New Delhi to New York has been unique. Each city has its own energy and vibe, contributing to my music in different ways. It’s been a valuable experience for my creativity. My Indian background is why I also delve into producing Indo House, like the record Kahani and I did together, called New York Giddha.

Outside of the studio, what do you like to get up to in your spare time?

I still try to stimulate my mind in a creative way as much as possible. Besides music, I also own a global creative agency called Azai Studios, focusing on design and building brands for everything from startups to enterprise companies. My life is really structured: 7 AM – 2 PM at the company, and post-3 PM, I completely switch gears to be at the studio.

What can you tell us about your plans for the rest of 2024?

More time in the studio. I’m really on a mission to build my catalog of music. I’m excited about the new music I have coming out. There’s also an idea brewing to team up with a few people to launch music label that doubles as a media platform. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.