MONé, aka Sooraj Sivadas, a driving force in the evolution of the electronic music scene in India since 2010. Known for his eclectic mixes that fuse breaks, electro, techno, progressive, and acid, MONÉ refuses to be confined to any one genre. His high-energy performances have earned him spots alongside industry heavyweights like Henry Saiz, Arjun Vagale, Space Motion, and Marco Bailey, cementing his reputation as a dynamic and innovative artist. With releases on top-tier labels and a relentless passion for pushing creative boundaries, MONÉ infuses every track and set with fresh, unpredictable energy, embodying the essence of versatility.
When did you realise that music was your true calling, and how did you pursue it?
I’ve been drawn to music since childhood. Growing up, I was a dancer and trained in Carnatic music, so my love for music was always there. The first time I realized I wanted to be a DJ was in 8th grade, at my high school carnival’s first dance party—and mine as well. That dream stuck with me. After finishing school, I enrolled in SAE in India to study audio engineering and work my way into the industry. I gradually started DJing and got introduced to the scene, though producing music seriously came much later.
During the COVID lockdown, I got back into making music. For an entire year, I did nothing but produce music every day, and something just clicked—I never looked back. Staying consistent has been challenging, especially over the past year, but at the start of 2024, I made the difficult decision to step back from everything else and commit fully to music. It was the best decision I’ve ever made because when I finished writing the Resurgence EP, I knew this was my true calling.
What are some significant milestones in your career so far?
Releasing my Resurgence EP is one of my biggest milestones. Having platforms like Mixmag Asia feature it is huge for me. Looking back, there have been many important stepping stones, but this has been the most significant one so far.
Can you share an experience that deeply influenced your musical style?
I can’t really pinpoint just one influence; it’s a combination of many experiences over the years that have shaped my style, both as a DJ and producer. While I’ve predominantly been in the progressive house and techno space, I’ve always loved breakbeat, electro, bass music, and anything left-field. However, I never had the confidence to pursue those genres as an artist.
That started to change when I began attending Bangalore Massive (DnB India’s IP) regularly, and it really solidified last year when I worked at and attended Magnetic Fields for the first time. Calling it an eye (and ear) opener would be an understatement.
What was the inspiration behind the creation of the Resurgence EP?
Magnetic Fields 2023. That whole experience really added (much needed) fuel to the fire.
How did you decide on the theme and soundscape for the EP?
There wasn’t a conscious decision or theme, except for *Error 404*. I simply locked myself in the studio and let the creative process flow. The only thing I knew before I started writing was that it had to include breaks with a bit of techno. The rest was just my various musical influences coming together, and that’s how the whole EP took shape.
Can you tell us about the creative process for one of your favorite tracks on this EP?
*MF23* and *Error 404* are my two favorites from this EP.
*MF23* is special because it’s where I really hit my stride. There wasn’t a structured process, as I mentioned earlier—I just let the idea flow naturally.
*Error 404*, on the other hand, was built around a theme. While going through my sample banks, I found two vocal phrases: ‘Hard data corrupted’ and ‘Launch brute force attack.’ They worked together as a sentence, and I built the track around that idea, with a futuristic, dystopian feel. The first half is filled with vocal and sample chops to represent ‘data being corrupted,’ and the drop is where the concept fully hits—like a brute force attack.
How do you feel this EP represents your growth as an artist?
I’m still figuring it out, but this definitely feels like the start of a new chapter for me. I’d say it’s the next step toward something deeper and more complex musically. I’m really proud of this EP for several reasons—most importantly, it gave me the confidence to keep going. The kind of response I’ve received has validated me as a serious producer, which has really helped me push past the imposter syndrome.
Were there any particular challenges you faced while working on Resurgence, and how did you overcome them?
I’m happy to say there were no challenges in the writing process at all—maybe a few power cuts, but that’s about it! haha!
I hadn’t written any music for over a year, so when I finally sat down to work on this, I was already motivated and inspired. I wrote each track one after the other, in the exact sequence they appear in the release—no downtime, no breaks. The ideas were all there, and everything just flowed.
The real challenge was finding the right label for this EP, and I’m ecstatic that Bone.fm gave it a home. Working with them has been one of my best experiences with a label. Mad props to the team and Boneheadbangers for being absolute gems.
How has the Bangalore music scene influenced your music and career?
Before I moved to Bangalore, I had lived in Chennai for 14 years. Although my formative years as an artist were there, the scene was inconsistent for various reasons and mostly limited to commercial music and harder styles of techno—there wasn’t much in between, except for the Go Madras Festival. At the time, I felt like I had no room to explore, so I didn’t even try.
Coming from that, Bangalore exposed me to a variety of musical scenes and communities. It was amazing to see how interconnected everyone was—Prog/Techno artists supporting the DnB/bass scenes, the indie/hip-hop scene, and vice versa. It was incredibly refreshing.
Shout out to DnB India and Bangalore Massive for introducing me to their community and accepting me into it. If Deb (The Untitled One) hadn’t pushed me to play breaks and given me the opportunity to explore this sound last year, I don’t think I would have pursued this musical direction.
What do you think sets the Bangalore music scene apart from other cities in India?
Diversity and inclusion. Not to say these don’t exist in other cities, but this is based on my personal experience in Bangalore. I haven’t spent as much time anywhere else. What stands out about this city and its people is how deeply they’re into music, regardless of genre, style, or background. There’s rarely any separation or bias when it comes to sound. People here are open to exploring and enjoying something new and different, which is what I believe Bangalore has always represented.
So, there you have it! MONé’s journey is full of passion, creativity, and some serious dedication. Keep an ear out for more from this dynamic artist because he’s just getting started!
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Press shot: Debjyoti Das @theuntitledoneofficial / @thatphotographerwithheadphones
