'I can't imagine my world without music'

With his numbers like When Love Takes Over, Without You, Titanium and Turn Me, David Guetta became the favourite of Generation Y.

His songs have managed to top every music chart, bagging him numerous awards including the Grammy. But even though the 48-year-old has accomplished what not many can, criticism has never been at par with him.

The multimillion selling French DJ, who is back in India to perform at Sunburn Goa, says that the negative reviews “hurts him”.

Excerpts:

How’s does it feel to be back in India?
It’s super exciting. I share a spiritual connection here. India has a very vivid culture and I think there is great depth to the county’s legacy. The one thing I adore about India is how the audiences are so full of emotions! I get lot of love from every place I’ve played at. The food here is so spicy. I remember Butter Chicken from my last visit. Also, I remember
a fan presenting a blow up oil painting of mine backstage.

How did music happen to you?
I started DJing when I was 17. I was like one of the most indie DJs when no one even knew the name of DJ in a club. The concept of a famous DJ didn’t even exist. None of the DJs were making money. I always felt like our music was not respected the way it should have been, and I’ve always done everything I could to change this. I never thought it was going to be that big. I started off playing a mix of funk and new wave. It’s funny because it’s what I do today, a mix of dark electronic, sad sounds with happy groovy songs. I’m actually producing the music today that I was doing when I started.

If you  would have not been a DJ, what’d you have been?
I’m a DJ at heart. Music is my vitamin pill. I eat, sleep, and pray music. It wakes me up in the morning, puts me to sleep at night and is with me all day. I can’t imagine my world without music. It’s the universal language; what I make comes from my heart. What I listen from others stirs it. I love to make people dance; it’s a way of bringing people together regardless of religion, nationality, sexuality, belief. I love everything about my job, about my life, except those moments where I need to be in those videos.

Did you ever face criticism?
When you get to a certain level of success, there’s going to be a reaction from some people. The negative reviews I’ve had were never really about my music, but more about me. I don’t really see any difference between me as a person and an artiste. And even though I shouldn’t care, it really hurts me. If there’s just one line that’s bad, it makes me really sick. Everyone thinks I’m crazy for paying any attention.

How different are the
current lot of DJs from your time?
When I started, all dance music was underground. If you were going to play house, you had to be underground because it wasn’t the type of music that was crossing over. My evolution also came with the evolution of the scene in general. It’s more commercial now and there’s a lot of global attention on the genre. DJing is a different job now. When we do a show, it’s a concert, and we’re selling ourselves as artistes and not DJs.

Any plans to collaborate with Indian artistes?
At this juncture I’m focussing on giving an impetus to fresh talent and if there’s any Indian producer who feels such please shoot out a mail to my manager! This question is always posed to me every time I visit the country and while I’m open to the idea I just not found the time to actually get cracking on it.

Your favourite musician?
I like Avicii. It’s more song based instrumental compilations which is the future of dance music.

Your next project?
It’s too early to reveal but I have some exciting stuff planned for 2016.

Any message to the newbies?
The field and the application of knowledge is more important than the name one makes. Collaboration is healthy and be an eternal learner.