While gigs are gradually returning to some parts of the world, Dipha Barus' next live performance would still have to wait.
The EDM producer and DJ misses the dance floor dearly, but in the many months of lockdown in Indonesia, he had found a sweet spot for creating music in his home studio. Having played at the virtual stages of Identity: Project Blue Marble, Zouk Phuturescapes, and last weekend at We The Fest: Virtual Home Edition, Barus enjoyed his share of performing despite live gig plans falling through during the pandemic.
"Most importantly, I accept these challenges with an open mind even though it has somewhat changed my financial state. But yeah, it’s our onus as humans to keep adapting and evolving on the conditions that nature has to offer," said Barus.
BANDWAGON TV
Apart from working on his latest single 'DOWN' and connecting with fans and musicians on his Instagram Live series 'How's Life', what has Dipha Barus been up to?
Bandwagon caught up with Dipha Barus on overcoming challenges during quarantine, collaborating with CADE for 'DOWN', things he misses the most under lockdown, and how a day in his stay-home life looks like.
Hi Dipha! What have you been up to recently?
Hello! Lately, I've been spending a lot of my time in the studio preparing for my upcoming single which will come out in October. This one will be with a female vocalist, guess who???
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Being a DJ and producer, how were you impacted by COVID-19 and what were some ways you overcame the challenges?
I have overcome these challenges by staying focused on my goal, being productive, always learning something new, and developing new ways to communicate with my audience. Most importantly, I accept these challenges with an open mind even though it has somewhat changed my financial state. But yeah, it's our onus as humans to keep adapting and evolving based on the conditions that nature has to offer.
Share with us some of your sources of inspiration during quarantine.
I’ve been reading a lot of books and currently, I’m reading Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton and Inner Sound by Jonathan Weinel. I’ve been listening to an album by Todd Edwards called Todd Edwards’ Nervous Tracks and Bitches Brew by Miles Davis.
I’ve also been practicing a Kundalini Meditation and Bali Usada Meditation.
We’ve heard your recent collaboration with CADE, ‘DOWN’. Tell us more about the single and how the collaboration came about.
I got the inspiration during my road trip in California through Big Sur, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Salinas. I wrote the music in the middle of the desert and the next day I met CADE for the first time at Ultra's music studio. We jammed instantly with it and we got it done on the very same day. The song is basically about living in the moment with your significant other and not stressing or over-thinking about what the future might hold.
You recently came up with the #DOWNCHALLENGE which went well on TikTok, how's that been like so far?
Have you seen it yet??? I was amazed by the responses! So yeah, it’s a dance and workout challenge using my song with Cade, ‘Down’. Will be awesome if you guys could take part in the challenge too.
Do you have any upcoming projects lined up?
I’m going to release my upcoming single in October which will be a part of my EP. I hope to release the EP this year and it’ll be filled with a lot of collaboration from various musicians across continents.
What are you looking forward to after the lockdown is lifted?
Seeing my family, reuniting with my friends, live performing in clubs, festivals, parties, and then getting back to work on my album in Ultra’s music studio.
Take us through a day in your quarantined life.
10AM
My first studio session in the morning.
12PM
My second studio session at noon.
3PM
I spent some time in the afternoon with my wife and my dog Tomiko.
4PM
After my tea break, I filmed some content for my Instagram.
5PM
I had my last studio session for the day.
5:30PM
I did some filming for Dip. Talk with CADE in the evening.
6PM
I did a livestream on Instagram for How's Life.
In our new Work From Home series, we check in with your favorite musicians to see how they're coping with the current COVID-19 crisis while staying in their homes.
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