Indie Week: In Conversation with Dreamhour

Debojyoti Sanyal aka Dreamhour is one of India's finest upcoming musician. He recently released his critically acclaimed debut album "VLLNS" on NewRetroWave a New York based networked label that is dedicated to promoting the best in the emerging Retrowave/ Synthwave scene. "VLLNS" album revolves around a story line conceptualized by graphic illustrator Reuben Bhattacharya inspired by Bollywood Baddies and their imaginary atrocities. At just 23 years of age, Debo is one of the few Indian acts producing Synthwave, Dreampop and NewWave Retro Music. In spite of being "Retro" his work reflects a mature and futuristic sound which is relatable to all. For this Independence Day special we had a chat with Debo regarding his new album, the concept story line behind the album, data analytics and more.

In Conversation with Dreamhour

1. The visual concept adds more depth to your album. Did you first start your work on this with a visual story in mind and how did you guys come up with such an interesting plot? I had finished working on the demos that’d make the album months before the storyline had been conceptualized. I did imagine these songs as a soundtrack to an imaginary movie but it was Reuben who visualized the characters and the story around these songs. 2. Are there more motion videos in the making for Youtube or Television streaming narrating the plot. I have put out all the videos we’ve made so far. But yeah, I’ll be trying out some more stuff with the characters for social media promotion. Reuben has made such an extensive yet self-contained universe with VLLNS that there’s so much you want to do with it. Maybe the future will be seeing a lot of them. 3. You are one of the few and also the youngest in India producing Synthwave, Dreampop and New Wave music. Tell us about your early influences and the time you first started out your production. I have been writing music since as long as I can remember and I recorded my first song when I was 13 but it was nowhere close to what I’m making right now. It was during the time I started producing as Dreamhour that I got into the sound of the 80s and the nostalgia attached to it. I think the GTA Vice City radio had a lot to do with getting a 90s kid like myself hooked to this kind of sound. Also my association with New Retrowave Records furthered helped me discover tons of modern synthwave artists that I never knew still exists. Some early influences would be Depeche Mode, A-ha, Pet Shop Boys, Trevor Something, Dance With The Dead, Bapi Lahiri and man I could keep talking. 4. VLLNS brings out a more mature sound, how much have you evolved over this period - musically and as an artist Working on this release taught me a lot, right from producing the music to releasing it. I think my next release is going to answer that better than myself. 5. How important is data and analytics for a young artist like yourself. I realized the importance of data and analytic only since this album release. Thankfully the label makes sure I don’t have to worry about it but I do realize its importance as an artist. 6. Which cities in India are you most looking forward to perform your debut album If I had my way, I’d perform at every city in India that’d be up for it. But realistically speaking, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkata are on the list since I still haven’t played there, among some other places. I’m performing for the first time since the album release in Hyderabad this month, so definitely looking forward to that Tune into his new album here: https://newretrowave.bandcamp.com/album/vllns