Techno tune for DJ Arjun Vagale

DJ Arjun Vagale of Jalebee Cartel, who will be opening the set for international artiste Fatboy Slim in Bangalore this Sunday, has taken his love for electronic music to an all new level by opening a DJing school called I Love Music Academy (ILM).

So what prompted him to open a music school? “The first ILM Academy was set up in Bangalore three years ago by Nakul, my brother, and a close friend of mine, Sean. I’ve been giving guest lectures there ever since it opened, and a year ago, and we thought it would be a good idea to open a branch in Delhi, as I think this city’s kids have tremendous skill. It’s taken us a while to get it up and running, but we finally have a world class academy ready,” says Arjun, who has personally put in a lot of time and energy into the construction of studios and gears.

Even the technology and teaching method, he says, is different. “We do it from the ground up, from the very basics — turntables and analogue gear. I believe it is essential to learn the ropes.”

Even the courses, he explains, are “fun and action-packed with project based learning…with the intent that our students will at some point go pro.” After Delhi and Bagalore, Arjun now plans to take it to Mumbai as well. “We have our hands full for now, but Mumbai seems to be calling.”

The school apart, Arjun has a super hectic schedule at the moment. “I’ve got a crazy gig schedule — playing almost two gigs a week and then taking off to Europe for a tour in June, and of course lots of productions. It’s going to be a busy summer,” he wraps.