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Exclusive Interview with Aneesh Gera: The Journey Behind the Music
Aneesh Gera, a globally touring DJ, producer, and a permanent fixture at the biggest electronic music festivals and clubs, divides his time between the UK and his hometown of Goa. He has graced iconic events such as VH1’s Supersonic, SUNBURN Festival, and the official Swedish House Mafia Concert After Party in the UK. His collaborations extend to renowned venues like Ministry of Sound in London, Gatecrasher in Europe, and International DJ Magazine – MixMag.
As a DJ, Aneesh regularly performs at prestigious events including Ministry of Sound, Global Gathering Festival, Pacha Ibiza, Gatecrasher, VH1 UltraViolet, ADE, Sunburn Festival, and MTV & VH1’s SuperSonic Festival. His dynamic performances have made him a staple in the electronic music scene.
In his role as a producer, Aneesh Gera made history as Asia’s first dance music producer to feature on the prestigious USA Billboard Dance Chart. His track “Flashback Rewind” reached #24 in February 2015, standing alongside global heavyweights like Madonna, Avicii, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Calvin Harris. With over 150 releases to date, he has collaborated and signed with top labels including EMI UK, Black Hole Recordings (founded by Tiësto), Erick Morillo’s Subliminal Records, and Ibiza’s Pacha Recordings. In 2015, he was also invited by Grammy Nominee Eddie Amador to remix “Awake” with Lisa Williams.
Beyond his work as an artist, music producer, and director of nightlife, Aneesh is also a record label owner, DJ, radio presenter, and audio engineer, showcasing his multifaceted talents in the music industry.
Aneesh’s latest release is the “Galaxy Traveler Ambient Mix” of his track “Aneesh Gera feat. Chitralekha Sen – Placebo” on Future Sound of Egypt Chill. To celebrate this release, we conducted an exclusive interview with Aneesh, which is now available to read on Flux BPM Online.
Renowned DJ and producer Aneesh Gera invites us into his world of electronic dance music, sharing the inspirations, challenges, and philosophies that have shaped his career. From his early days in Goa to performing on iconic stages worldwide, Aneesh has remained true to his art, constantly evolving while staying authentic. In this in-depth conversation, he opens up about his journey, creative process, and future aspirations.
- Background
Dimitris: How did your journey into the electronic dance music (EDM) scene begin, and what were the key influences that shaped your style?
Aneesh Gera: Being raised in Goa, I feel like electronic music chose me rather than the other way around. Growing up surrounded by the culture and energy of the scene, it was a natural path for me to fall in love with this world.
Dimitris: What personal values or life philosophies do you carry that also reflect in your music?
Aneesh Gera: Over the years, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to write and create for yourself. Don’t chase trends or try to become the next DJ XYZ. Music should reflect your story and your vision as an artist. Ironically, many don’t focus on that, but authenticity has always been my compass.
Dimitris: Which piece of music equipment or software can you not live without, and why?
Aneesh Gera: My Sennheiser HD 25s, a pair of solid earplugs, Logic Pro, and a little MIDI controller—and I’m good to go! That’s my essential toolkit for creating music anywhere.
Dimitris: Can you share an unforgettable incident from your career—whether funny, unexpected, or challenging?
Aneesh Gera: One moment that always stays with me is the constant rejection from labels early in my career. A track of mine was passed over, only to be signed elsewhere and hit the World Top 10. Suddenly, the same labels came back asking if I had more music like the very track they rejected. That was both ironic and validating!
- Current Projects
Dimitris: Could you please elaborate on the inspiration behind your “Galaxy Traveler Ambient Mix” of your track feat. Chitralekha Sen – Placebo out now on Future Sound of Egypt Chill? How does it align with your current artistic aspirations?
Aneesh Gera: Placebo started as a remix of my original progressive record Jaipur, which was signed to FSOE. But as I kept developing it, the track evolved so far from the original that we decided to release it as a completely new record. It’s always amazing to see where your music takes you and how it connects with listeners.
Dimitris: Have you produced any new tracks since the one we're discussing in this interview? If so, could you share the inspiration behind them?
Aneesh Gera: Absolutely. I thrive on versatility, so my upcoming music spans multiple genres—Ambient, Downtempo, House, Organic, and Progressive. 2026 is looking very exciting! I’ve recently collaborated with a Latin Grammy-winning instrumentalist and a phenomenal American singer, and I can’t wait to share these with everyone.
Dimitris: Could you describe your current approach to music production and how it has evolved over the years?
Aneesh Gera: I’ve become very systematic and methodical in my production approach. Having a clear path or idea helps me stay creative while leaving space for those magical, spontaneous moments. Early on, I was far less structured, which made it harder to define my sound or get tracks signed. Experience has taught me the value of balance between structure and creativity.
Dimitris: What are some of the challenges you face when producing music, and how do you overcome them?
Aneesh Gera: Writer’s block is the classic challenge, as is running out of studio snacks—which is totally unacceptable! Lately, staying away from my phone has been difficult too. I enjoy locking the world out when creating, but it’s an area I’m still working on improving.
Dimitris: How do you stay motivated and creatively inspired amidst the fast-paced nature of the EDM scene?
Aneesh Gera: Traveling, meeting new people, and exploring different cultures keeps me inspired. Music drives almost everything I do. Motivation can be tough, especially in an industry struggling with short attention spans, algorithm-driven trends, and a lack of value for art. But connecting with the heart of music always reignites my passion.
- Future Plans
Dimitris: Are there any collaborations you dream of, either with other artists or brands, that you haven’t yet explored?
Aneesh Gera: I’ve recently started writing music in different languages with Placebo, and that’s something I’d love to explore further. It opens up entirely new creative dimensions.
Dimitris: What message would you like to share with your fans and the broader EDM community about your journey and vision?
Aneesh Gera: Authenticity. As it has always been, I let the music do the talking.
Personal Insights
Dimitris: How do you maintain a balance between your personal life and your music career?
Aneesh Gera: For me, they go hand in hand. My personal and professional life are deeply interwoven through music.
Dimitris: What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers looking to make their mark in the industry?
Aneesh Gera: Be yourself. Create for yourself first. Critique your own work honestly and raise your quality threshold. That’s how you stand out and grow.
- DJ-Specific Insights
Dimitris: What inspired you to transition from producing to DJing, or did both passions develop simultaneously?
Aneesh Gera: For me, it was the other way around—I started as a DJ in 2001 and began producing music later. Being a DJ first helps immensely with production because you always think about how the track will work in a set or performance.
Dimitris: Can you walk us through your DJing process—from track selection to live mixing? How do you curate a set that resonates with different audiences?
Aneesh Gera: I’m old-school. I grab my vinyl record bag and head to the stage. I rarely pre-plan a set unless it’s for a broadcast, which I’ve been doing a lot in recent years. In that case, I’ll plan my intro and closing track and maybe add some unreleased music, then build the set live on stage.
Dimitris: How do you handle unexpected challenges during a live set, such as equipment malfunctions or shifts in crowd energy?
Aneesh Gera: Shifts in crowd energy are rare and usually caused by outside factors like weather at open-air events. Equipment failures happen often—one memorable moment was when my headphones died right at the start of my one-hour set opening for Axwell at Sunburn Goa. Perfect timing, right?
Dimitris: Which mixing style do you prefer, and how do you decide which style suits a particular set?
Aneesh Gera: I usually go for long transitions and blends—probably 90% of the time—but I enjoy quick cut mixes and tricks occasionally. Harmonic clashes are unacceptable to me, but finding creative solutions around them can spark new ideas.
Dimitris: Reflecting on your career, what has been your most memorable DJ set and what made it stand out for you personally?
Aneesh Gera: A few highlights come to mind:
My first set at Ministry of Sound London opening for BT
Playing an Ambient/Downtempo set for Anjunadeep Open Air in Goa
Performing at the Karavann Festival in Mauritius, where the crowd was incredibly open-minded
Watching Roger Sanchez play after me in London and being in complete disbelief
Dimitris: Have you ever been inspired or influenced by another DJ’s set that left a lasting impact on your approach to performances?
Aneesh Gera: Many times! Paul Van Dyk—an amazing DJ who doesn’t get enough recognition—Above & Beyond, Eric Prydz, Roger Sanchez, and Joris Voorn have all left lasting impressions on me.
Dimitris: What cues do you look for in the crowd to gauge their energy and adjust your set accordingly?
Aneesh Gera: Body language. Truly great DJing is about managing the room. This is why resident and opening DJs are often a cut above—they understand the crowd better than anyone.
Dimitris: What DJ equipment do you consider indispensable, and why?
Aneesh Gera: I’m not a software DJ. Give me four Pioneer decks and I’m good to go.
Dimitris: How do you integrate your own productions into your DJ sets to create a signature live experience?
Aneesh Gera: I love making my own edits, so most of my sets are filled with them. I often rearrange my original tracks for live performances, which makes the sets unique.
- Closing Statement
Aneesh Gera: Thank you for having me and giving me the opportunity to share my journey and talk about Placebo, my new ambient record. I hope my story inspires others to embrace authenticity and let their music speak for itself.
Download/Stream: https://FSOE.lnk.to/placebochill
This exclusive interview offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an artist who continues to push creative boundaries while staying true to his roots. Aneesh Gera’s journey is a testament to passion, persistence, and the power of music to connect people across the globe.
Stuart at FSOE offices deserves a huge thank you for organizing this interview.
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