'Indians more educated about music than others'

Indians are more educated about music and its genres than people at most of the other places around the globe, says Canadian electronic music duo Sultan and Shepard. They also say that when it comes to music boundaries don't matter.

The musical duo -- Sultan and Ned Shepard - known for dominating the progressive house genre, came back to India after six years to perform at the ongoing Vh1 Supersonic 2015 being held here.

"We don't treat our audiences differently. All the fans are same as you know the music no matter from where you are be it or India. They all know it. In fact here they are more educated than other places," Sultan said on the sidelines of ongoing Vh1 Supersonic 2015 here.

Asked about the change they witnessed since their first visit, Shepard said: "The enthusiasm was always big and I think the numbers are getting bigger and bigger", adding that just the thought of heading to India brings a smile to their faces.

"I think the culture is amazing and it is fun to be here," he said.

The glitz and glamour of Bollywood has bedazzled Shepard, who admits of having a crush on actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

"I used to like Aishwarya Rai, but now she is married. And now I am out of loop. I know Amitabh Bachchan and the who one is in every single movie (Shah Rukh Khan)," Shepard said.

If Bollywood has charmed the duo, what about Indian music?

"We listen to some Indian tracks once in a while and like them but we are not well informed about it," Shepard said.

They emphasis that they are open to working in India with a special mention to Bollywood.

According to their official website, on the studio front, the duo are tagged as the "kings of the progressive scene" with remixes including their collaboration with Funkagenda on Past Dreaming, and Crimson Sun featuring Grammy winners Dirty Vegas.

As new year is around the corner, Sultan predicts that electronic dance music (EDM) might lose its charm in 2016.

"2016 will be a mix of lot of stuff. EDM bubble will burst. Its peak was past three years now it is house, and all kind of other stuff coming in. It is an open market with no differentiation between genres. It will be every interesting and exciting year for music," Sultan said.

(The writer's trip is at the invitation of Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. Sugandha Rawal can be contacted at sugandha.r@ians.in)