SONOS CLUB : BAL-T

INTERVIEW

Can you tell us about your musical journey and how your cultural background has influenced your sound?

DJ BAL-T: So my musical journey begins with my family. My Grandad used to DJ back in the day then my uncle and my cousin so it has run through the family for some time. I have cousins that are both DJs and producers so it was something I grew up with around me. You can hear a lot of my cultural influences in my mixes and sets. When I started out, I was doing South Asian weddings so that heavily influenced what I was playing and also what I was surrounded by.

What are some early memories of music from your upbringing that shaped your taste today?

DJ BAL-T: Watching my cousin and following in his footsteps has been a huge influence for me. Going to DJ weddings and events with him when I was younger, Punjabi Garage was a huge trend at the time and so that’s why I carry that within my personal sound as it helped to define what I listen to. I can’t say there was a stand out event that shaped me but the experience as a whole shaped a lot of my personal music journey.

How do you integrate your heritage or identity into your DJ sets or productions?

DJ BAL-T: I try to integrate Punjabi music into all of my sets and production, whether it be through actual music that I merge with other genres that I play such as Garage, DnB and Jungle or through the use of instruments and recognisably Punjabi sounds, I try to include it in everything I do.

Are there any specific artists or genres from your background that have been particularly influential to your craft?

DJ BAL-T: Punjabi UKG has been massive for me personally. There was a lot of Dub and Jungle being intertwined with our culture so I grew up listening to a lot of that. You can’t listen to a set of mine without hearing the influences.

When you’re crafting a DJ set, do you have a particular story or vibe you aim to convey? How do you build it?

DJ BAL-T: All of my sets are live unless recorded for release, I like to see what the crowds are enjoying and vibing with and let that guide me through. If pre-recording anything, I always have a couple of tracks that I think suit what I’m doing and go from there in the mix.

What’s your process for discovering and selecting new music? Any go-to sources or methods?

DJ BAL-T: I like to go through Soundcloud and look for things that are new and something that can give my sets a different angle. I follow a lot of other producers and so it makes finding new music a lot easier, thanks to my network.

How do you balance between your roots and staying fresh with modern trends in your sets?

DJ BAL-T: Growing up in West London, it was like a melting pot of cultures, especially when it came to music and my sound. I like to incorporate that with my Punjabi heritage and also keep an eye out on what is new and upcoming. Finding the balance isn’t something I feel I stress about too much as I like to play things I enjoy and pick the vibes up as I go.

Can you talk about a track or mix you’ve created that holds a special meaning to you? What’s the story behind it?

DJ BAL-T: One track that I mixed was titled Peggy Boliyan. Sammy Virji actually did a remix of this track that was unreleased, I was looking on Youtube for it and actually found a longer version and then tried to find a Punjabi song that fit with it. Once I had done that and mixed it, I thought I did an ok job and then when I put it out on social media, it blew up and was even played out by Yung Singh at Boiler Room. This track has now done 92.5k listens on Soundcloud and went viral on Tik Tok which I think changed the trajectory of my journey and how I was perceived within the scene.

As a DJ from a BIPOC background, what are some challenges you’ve faced in the industry, and how have you overcome them?

DJ BAL-T: I feel like a challenge I am currently facing is that I can sometimes be pigeon-holed within the Punjabi music scene and although I have seen some mainstream traction, it is breaking away from the typical ‘wedding dj’ bracket and pushing myself into broader audiences.

How important is representation and visibility for you in the electronic music scene?

DJ BAL-T: As a South Asian DJ, I think it’s very important. There isn’t a large number of other South Asian DJs within the scene that I can say I look to for inspiration or a ‘blueprint’ and so moving forward, I want to be able to increase visibility for my own community while also breaking stereotypes that are often attached to the South Asian community.

Have there been moments where you’ve felt your identity helped you stand out or connect with your audience in unexpected ways?

DJ BAL-T: I think being a turban-wearing DJ has been a massive thing for standing out to my audience. There isn’t a lot of representation in the mainstream for people who look like me and so I think it excites people to see what I am doing and get on board with my journey as well. A lot of people reach out to let me know that I have inspired them to break out of the norms and also break barriers across genres with their music.

What are some emerging trends in electronic or experimental music that excite you right now?

DJ BAL-T: Bassline, 4x4, DnB, Liquid DnB and Speed Garage are all things that I can say are exciting me right now. I look forward to adding those elements into my sets more, experimenting with it throughout 2025 and playing around with it as much as I can.

How do you envision your music evolving in the next few years? Are there new sounds or ideas you want to explore?

DJ BAL-T: There are new ideas, I want to explore Baile Funk a lot more. It’s a sound that I have recently discovered and have been introduced to a lot of DJs within that space and it’s something I can see myself enjoying.

If you could curate a dream lineup for an event, which artists would you include and why?

DJ BAL-T: Sammy Virji, the energy he brings and creates in his music is something I can say excites me as a DJ. He is someone who has influenced me massively and given me the confidence to play with the sounds a lot more. I would also include Badger, his production is mad and he’s someone I heavily enjoy. Zero is another one who has production and basslines that align with my sounds.

What advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs and producers from underrepresented communities?

DJ BAL-T: I would say pick your sound and really master it, reach out to as many producers and peers as possible and most importantly, release your mixes!!!

How do you stay motivated and keep your creativity flowing, especially during challenging times?

DJ BAL-T: have to keep remembering what is upcoming and what it is I pushing myself for. In terms of creativity, I listen to my music library and explore on platforms like Soundcloud to get inspiration and something I listen to can really send me into the right direction. The support I get from friends and my network really motivates me to do what I do.

What’s one message you hope people take away when they listen to your sets or mixes?

DJ BAL-T: I hope people are coming away thinking ‘When can I see him next?’, I want to leave a lasting effect on my audiences and keep them wanting to come back for more.

SONOS CLUB is an initiative from Sounds of Craft Records, designed to highlight the eclectic electronic music scene through the perspectives of the BIPOC diaspora and marginalized communities, while being open to all.