All of us, at one point of time or another, have asked ourselves -"How do Scandinavian countries manage to create so much beautiful art with such few people?" There's no answer to that question, honestly. Or rather, not a staple answer.
Contrast that with India, the second most populous country in the world, where art, while beautiful, is thoroughly underappreciated. As a natural progression, noone would think that there would be a point of intersection in the culture of both the countries, which could lead to a collaboration. This is where the boundary defying magic of electronic music happens !
The one thing that both share in common is that they're combating a cliched image on the global stage. While Norway is tied to Røyksopp, Rune Lindbæk and Bjørn Torske; India is always thought of as the land of Bollywood and commercial music. Life is not easy in either country either, Norway challenges its natives with the landscape and India with its populace. We have difficult living conditions, misrepresentation in popular media and a young population with access to the internet - the perfect grounds for experimentation. In the last 20 years, both the countries have undergone a sea change in their commercialisation which has led to deep underground scenes, one of which is in electronic music.
This brings us to Merge Emerge is the first Indo-Norwegian electronic music compilation which is based on the idea of merging aesthetics between a diverse group of artists. It is made from the passionate response of 18 electronic music artists from India and Norway, audible across 13 songs.
One of the key things that the curators have tried to focus on is the diversity of the artists, where they've not only at included Indian and Norwegian artists but also female artists, the number of which is steadily rising in both countries. The female artists on the compilation include zequenx, Pulpy Shilpy, Christabelle Sandoo & one half of Unganisha.
zequenx is a Delhi based artist, born in Kashmir. Her songs often delve on the darker, melodic and abstract forms of dance music. She deeply believes in the community of electronic dance music and is passionate about using her resources to snowball the diversity in the underground and commercial scenes. Pulpy Shilpy, based in Pune, Maharashtra, has been a passionate representative for women and South Asian talent in the indie music circles and setting up her own label Orbs Cure Labs to futher her work. Both of them are shining examples of the burgeoning talent that deserves a global stage.
Curated by Endre Dalen and Audio Pervert, the idea to create a compilation was conceived in 2019, as a foundational step towards future Indo-Norwegian exchange and collaboration. “Merge Emerge is a diverse compilation, and not necessarily showcasing the status quo of electronic music in India and Norway. The Norwegian artists’ tend to sound open-minded towards the sounds from the eastern/southern hemisphere, while the artists from India are spearheading established genres like electro, techno, glitch or synth-pop - yet with surprising takes on the given genres. The artists, on both sides have loads in common, yet the main thing separating them is nationality. I would be surprised, if you as an experienced electronic music listener could pin down the nativity on just about any of these tracks" states Endre Dalen, a designer, editor and writer for Mela Festival / Melahuset in Oslo and the Samora Magazine. This month, we delved deeper into understanding the thinking behind the compilation and the imprint, with Audio Pervert, who is also a part of FemWAV.
Femwav: What made you decide to go for a collaboration between Norwegian and Indian artists? What do you think are the unifying and differentiating characteristics of both sound cultures?
Audio Pervert: In August 2018, I was performing at the Mela Festival in Oslo. There having met the curators and founders of the festival, an idea came about to connect the emerging electronic music scenes of Norway and India. The initial idea was to create a bridge or call it a link, so artists and music can travel. The collaborative and mutual exchange came by later, as we realised that a foundation needs to be created. Music being the link. The unifying part also. Given both India and Norway are very distant - and the electronic music is also reflecting that difference or diversity...By mid-2019 we were approaching various artists on both sides with the idea
Femwav: What was the process of selecting the artists for the compilation?
Audio Pervert: There was not a process of selection as such. We asked well over 30 artists in both nations. Some nice demos started pouring in by late 2019. The selection happened almost organically, as we expanded the number of artists (18) - the core idea behind the curation was not to give preference to a genre or the artist's reputation as such. Also focussing on new female talent from both nations.
Femwav: What do you think about the overall sound of the compilation?
Audio Pervert: It's deliciously synthesized for sure. I can't really point to an overall sound. The tunes, itself speak of the diversity and also the outward aspirations of each artist. Some are young newbies and some are experienced in their fields and works...It's far out, or even club friendly or just after hours...
Femwav: What is the future for Merge Emerge?
Audio Pervert: The compilation has opened up several new ideas. Sort of a Pandora's box ! Endre Dalen, from Oslo, has created a new label and curation platform called Digital Diaspora. We are keen on connecting with producers and DJs in Africa and other parts of Asia. Yet between India and Norway, there's immense artist potential and talent - call it the flagship showcase... More on that soon! Given the pandemic, and the hiatus within the entertainment industry, we have faced challenges and delays - Yet persisting, the label, the compilation and the link between India and Norway has been established.
In a world that is obsessed with 'equality' by treating everyone the same, the idea of 'equity' that acknowledges unequal access goes a long way in making 'equality' a dream of the future. Being a part of trans national, multi cultural and experimental compilations like Merge Emerge is essential to promote female and NB talent in an industry that closes doors much faster than it opens them. While artists can do their bit by being a part of such initiatives, it is also a responsibility of seasoned curators to create safe spaces and opportunities to level the playground for female artists.Every single artist on the compilation has done a stellar job on their tracks and that is what they bring to the table; a table which they, in the process of participating in such initiatives, make a much bigger one for new talent to join.
Merge Emerge releases worldwide on January 8, 2021. Read more about the artist and listen to the new promos on the Merge Emerge website.
Text by tsurbhi
