Name: Arun Dhanjal aka Zar
Occupation: Producer, composer, DJ
Nationality: British-Indian
Current release: Zar's Practice Makes Miracles is out via ANARP.
Recommendations: "Something" - The Beatles: hands down one of the best songs ever written.
Henri Matisse - The Cat With Red Fish: a delightful painting.

If you enjoyed this interview with Zar and would like to stay up to date with his music and activities, visit him on Instagram, Soundcloud, and twitter.



When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

I started playing music when I was around 7 or 8. I had guitar lessons at primary school, learning basic chords and melodies. It was when I took drum lessons at high school around 12 that I began to really go “oh I’m actually quite good at this.” Since then I’ve always been playing in bands or with other people. I only got into production and DJing about 5-6 years ago.

Early passions and influences definitely revolved around a mixture of rock, punk. At the same time, coming from a South Asian household, there was a lot of Bollywood music playing at my grandparents' house, and UK Garage was really big when I was growing up, so I heard loads of the classics just thinking it was pop music. It was only later I realised what it actually was.

I’m not really sure what it was about music or sound that drew me to it. When you’re a kid you aren’t really aware of what it is other than “this feels nice when I hear this song.” But as I grew older, the music that has resonated the most has made me feel certain ways that nothing else has, opened up my mind to new emotions and experiences.

I really appreciate now the process of discovering artists from different countries, genres and movements that I’m not aware of, and the history behind what bought them there. It really broadens your perspective of what music is, how it relates to more than just individualistic personal expression. It’s so much more than that.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

Really, really good music produces quite a visceral reaction within me. I feel the urgent need to express my enjoyment for the song, it’s like an explosion! But it also depends on the genre too.

I have in the past put on what I consider to be very challenging pieces of music to listen to, just to see how my body and mind responds to it without reacting to the sounds. It’s interesting. It’s definitely broadened my horizons and perspectives for how I make music, especially in the process of trying to make potentially more challenging sounds and movements within songs more acceptable to a listener.

I’m still experimenting with this, but it is an idea I’ve incorporated a lot on Practice Makes Miracles.

How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice, as well as breakthroughs?

Good question. I’m always going to be developing. I’m definitely more aware and appreciate how closely linked music is across genres. My interests are always developing too, mainly because I’m always looking for that next song or artist that will floor me. If you have that drive, I feel you will always be developing.

Most of the challenges I’ve had to face have been internal, believing I can do it, internal explorations into the bravery and courage required to put music out. It’s not something I’m used to and to be honest I don’t think I ever will be. I think the day I’m comfortable with putting out music, something has gone wrong.

But one of the breakthroughs I had recently has been putting out this EP. It’s taken me a year or so to really find a good reason to put it out. I realised that I just had to do it, and let go of the consequences of doing so.

Tell me a bit about your sense of identity and how it influences both your preferences as a listener and your creativity as an artist, please.

Good question. My sense of identity is something I’ve thought about a lot. I guess as I get older I become less attached to the things I identified with in the past. I think this reflects in exploring new sounds and finding new ways to express myself.

Also, being aware that a sense of identity isn’t fixed, it’s always changing. And it’s ok to express the change, as long as it is honest.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?

Expression when you’re out of your mind / totally present.

How would you describe your views on topics like originality and innovation versus perfection and timelessness in music? Are you interested in a “music of the future” or “continuing a tradition”?

I’m interested in both equally. I don’t have strong views on either side of the argument.

I like music that comes from either school of intention. You need both for sure otherwise music would be very stagnant.

Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools - and what are the most promising strategies for working with them?

Drums, laptop, turntables, records, MIDI keyboard (in no particular order).

I don’t know about promising strategies really, other than just make them work for you in ways you feel you can make the best work you can.

Take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work, please.

Wake up around 5.45am, meditate for an hour, work on music before I start my day job around 9.30am.

Every day starts like that, but the evenings may differ where I have rehearsals or shows.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of a piece, live performance or album that's particularly dear to you, please?

The creative process is finding ways to be as present as possible and make something fearlessly.

Failing that, just grind it out.

Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Can you talk about your preferences in this regard and how these constellations influence creative results?

I like them all, but I definitely prefer producing on my own.

How do your work and your creativity relate to the world and what is the role of music in society?

Music has many roles in society, but I think it’s mostly to do with finding ways to be understood.

I don’t know how my work relates to the world, maybe that’s for the world to decide.

Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: Life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way and on which occasions has music – both your own or that of others - contributed to your understanding of these questions?

Making this EP has helped me deal with overcoming an internal battle to have the confidence to release music into the world.

How do you see the connection between music and science and what can these two fields reveal about each other?  

There is something to be said about the physics of sound waves and frequencies … I just don’t know what!

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

To some degree. The intention behind the action you’re doing matters.

Music is vibration in the air, captured by our ear drums. From your perspective as a creator and listener, do you have an explanation how it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages?

Nope. My guess is probably a mixture of magic and evolution.