Boiler Room, Glastonbury, and the joy of the process
Happy Summer Solstice!
Can you believe we’re already more than halfway through 2024? Years used to feel like centuries when we were young, and now we’re four years post-pandemic. I still can’t believe it. If you haven’t made a bucket list of summer activities to indulge in, I highly recommend physically writing one out and adding calendar blocks to get them done (yeah, I’m a Virgo). Summer is in full swing and will be over before you know it. There’s something about writing a summer bucket list, ripping the page out from your notebook, and carrying it around in your pocket like a grocery list. It’s far more satisfying to cross things out with a pen than to tick a digital box. As so much of my life is digital, I’m increasingly eager to find ways to bring back bits of analog joy. In tandem with the bucket list, it’s a good time to reflect on the past six months and set intentions for the rest of the year. Last night I took stock of the goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the year and came to two realizations:
Your goals will take longer to achieve than you think, but the timing is always right. All you can do is show up consistently and release control and attachment to the outcome. Trust that the universe has your back.
You can get good at anything you set dedication and time to - you just need to get started. Six months ago I was so intimidated to open up Abelton and make a beat. Since January, I haven’t missed a single week in Abelton. Even if it was to write one shitty bass note, I did it. Now I can make a half-decent song from start to finish. I still have a ways to go, but I’m falling in love with the process. I’m excited to see where this journey goes and have no attachment to making a Grammy-winning song. I only want to create and commit to the process.
MY BOILER ROOM SET IS OFFICIALLY OUT
It feels surreal to write out these words. I don’t want to put a singular DJ set on such a huge pedestal, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that doing a Boiler Room set hasn’t been a dream of mine since I started DJing 12 years ago. I even made a shitty little photoshopped image of me doing a Boiler Room set on my vision board last year, and now the manifestation has come true - with a better outfit and setting though. This is the only time you’ll hear me say these words: watch, like, share, comment, and subscribe. I’m proud of myself!
Catch me for round two at Boiler Room New York on Sunday, July 14. I’ll be in the biggest room at the venue: The Mirage! TICKETS
Glastonbury
In an absolutely mad twist of events, I will be making my Glastonbury Festival debut on June 29th on the brand-new Arrivals Stage in Shangri-La! This is the first-ever South Asian dedicated stage in Glastonbury history. Read more about it here.
More summer shows will be announced soon - not only in New York but hopefully in a city near you :)
Muffin Mashups: Volume 2
I released the second iteration of my Muffin Mashup series about a month ago. These are fun club-forward edits/remixes/bootlegs/whateveryouwannacllallthems of Arabic and Bollywood bangers that I love. Check them out below - my personal favorite is Nour El Whistle, a blend of Too Short’s Blow the Whistle and Amr Diab’s Nour el Ain. Enjoy!
June Muffintops
I recently attended an Amapiano party at Knockdown Center with Major League DJz, Skyla Tylaa, and The Descendants. I left feeling so inspired - not only by all of the new music I was hearing but also by how each of the DJs built such powerful storylines through their sets. There were true moments of tension and release like I had never seen before. It made me rethink how to craft a DJ set. You’ll see a lot of the songs that I heard at that party on this playlist, along with the usual brain dump of inspiration I get from everyday moments of life. Sidebar: I tend to find a lot of great music through Uber drivers.
What I’m Reading
I just finished Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar - WOW. It was hands down the best fiction book I’ve read in years. I was moved to tears multiple times and had to stop myself from rushing through the book because it yearns to be savored. Get a copy now!
Presently, I’m working through The Artists Way and Informed: The Comprehensive Guide to Human Design Manifestors. I have to say that both books, while informative, have not captured me, and left me a bit skeptical of the merit of their contents. I’m willing to be wrong, however, and will stick it out to the end. I’m currently searching for my next set of fiction books to get lost in this summer. Send recommendations!
Favorite Things
BBC’s new three-part documentary on the history of Disco
Pakistani Mangoes - they’re in their short but glorious season. Photo not included (NSFW)
Joe Dispenza’s 15-minute morning meditation
“Love was a room that appeared when you stepped into it.”― Kaveh Akbar, Martyr!