Episode 3.21: Interview with Jai Wolf
“Having a fan base that is continuously loyal to you, that will continuously buy your tickets and support you in any way, especially if you make ‘drastic’ creative decisions that are different from what they might have originally become a fan of you for — that to me is what defines success.”
What happens when you mix South Asian Bengali and EDM artistry into one? You get the legendary Jai Wolf! In part 1 of a 2-episode installment, Tanushree and Ravi interview the Bangladeshi-born and NYC-bred Sajeeb Saha. They discuss the origins of Jai Wolf, and how historically significant and integral music and art are to South Asian culture. Sajeeb recounts how he broke into the world of electronic music with a classical music background and how his South Asian Bengali identity found its way into his music, leading to the birth of “Indian Summer.” He discusses his artistic evolution and the importance of figuring out who you are as an artist to overcome creative roadblocks and to define what “commercial success” means. In this insightful conversation, Tanushree, Ravi, and Sajeeb dive into the impact of the “immigrant struggle,” including the expectations on South Asian artists and creatives passed on by Desi parents advocating for stable, STEM careers. They explore South Asian representation in the music and entertainment industries and the lackluster South Asian solidarity for/amongst creatives, comedians and artists. Sajeeb credits competitiveness and tribal mentality dating back to colonialism as the foundation for this phenomenon, and the conversation takes a hopeful turn as the three discuss how immigration has helped South Asians become more supportive of one another. The episode ends with Sajeeb and our hosts musing over the hopes of an emergence of a community coming together to form a larger support system for South Asian creatives and artists in the near future.