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Philostrate is a title inspired by the old school concept of ‘Techno – Shaman’. Taken from the Shakespeare play ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, where the character of the same name is the ‘Master Of Ceremonies’, in the kings court. The intention here is the same.
Vir Rattan Chowdhry’s solo psychedelic project is inspired by dance meditation and full moon beach rituals. Biased towards groove inducing frequencies, Philostrate’s speciality lies in the twilight periods post sunset and pre sunrise. There is no bias towards style, just that the experience created should be purely psychedelic ! Ranging in the various styles of full-on, with a tendency to go fully jungle. On his way to attaining a masters in the degree of cosmic bounce, line ups have been shared with Kerosene Club, Fibre Stomp, DJ Chicago (1200 Micrograms), Dirty Saffi, Simiantics, Nigel, Zhannet, Jesus Raves, Talamasca and Samadhi. Productions are in full progress !
Philostrate now has his debut EP ‘Layers’ released on Tesla Music (Mexico) and is available on junodownload on this link: http://www.junodownload.com/artists/Philostrate/releases/
Your life-story and relationship with your work
Tell us a little about you and your work:
We are all aware of the mystical scene of the 90’s back in Goa. Though I am not an old timer, I very much relate with the ways things were done then. My intention is to fuse new techniques with old spirit to induce an experience that can create an atmosphere of oneness. Not just with the next human, but the tree, the sky, the ocean, the rock or the sand. In a day and age where research chemicals are rampant, the music is only getting faster. What we need is the space between, a sustainable groove for a sustainable future. My music (DJ sets and production) range from 145 – 155 bpm, and are specialised in enveloping morning time or early night time.
Currently what projects are you working on? And what future plans have you chalked out for yourself?:
Philostrate is a project that hovers around in the world of full on. Currently still developing a signature sound and learning more and more, but I hope to be vibing with a fresh live set very very soon ! I like that sound that is a pure blend of day and night time, with funky bass lines and roaring fm leads. To make music that awakens the primal self in everyone on that dance floor. Music that makes those primal beings connect and exchange.That is my ambition. My future plans are to give many people leg pains, fill buckets of sweat and to eat watermelons and drink lemonade at amazing festivals !
What influenced you to get into your field?:
Been a guitarist since I was 13. Many classic rock bands were my teachers as opposed to the ones I had in school. I was never one for the system and music somehow made a home for people like myself. Psychedelic music entered in an outer space experience in South Anjuna, when Ajja and Cosmosis collided my worlds by jamming to AC/DC over a proper full on live set.
As an artist, what role do you think you play in society?:
As an artist, we have the power to create portals into other realms. Along with this power, we get the opportunities to transport many a person with us. Churning out an experience that is true, with feel and meaning is a true responsibility. We live in a world today where everyone is celebrating the wrong things. Artists are prophets of another paradigm, and they must spread the right message.
Creating on a regular basis can be a bloody tough job, so what motivates you to press yourself into the workstation every single day?:
Passion, the need to make people groove like I have, the memory of every party I have been too, the smiles /laughter/facial expressions of the dancers, the exchange of collective energy between the dancers and the musician.
Share your experiences and your characteristics/personality
Name a few of your all time favourite tracks. (From other artists if you are producer).:
Every track from ‘I don’t like Psychedelics’ by Dust Samba from Mars – Whiptongue Snapdragon – Ajja Bebopper – Ajja Hot Coffee (EP) – Kabayun Every Tristan track ever made Drummer – konflux Anjuna – Goatika Rolling – Peaking Goddess Collective The whole Pyrite Music (EP) by Chris Rich Every track ever made by Gaspard Psylonius Funk by Nigel and Dickster Another Planet (Mad Max Remix) – Killerwatts Five Chickens – Dirty Saffi The Obliquity (EP) by Axial Tilt Fovos N Tromos part 2 – Darkshire and Furious Mitre Mandal – White Wizard and Farebi Jalebi Dejgidi – Atriohm N-Code – Dark Elf Hornythology – Foam
Your hobbies and other fun questions
Name your all time favourite movie/show/book.:
Im a DC comics nerd. Marvel is a bit extravagant for me.
With all the X-men and heroes running around. Us mortals would like some powers too. What one superpower would you choose?:
The ability to control frequency, amplitude and timbre
The genie comes out of the lamp and grants you one wish that will change the world. What would you wish for?:
A lifelong festival, with no concepts of monetary economy and all the filth that follows.
Your opinions and viewpoints
Got any theories on how the universe blossomed into existence or on the rationale of life? Are we in the matrix? Did god knit a hologram?:
Im old school when I say I believe in the big bang. Yes, there was actually a time where an explosion could CREATE. One could say with chaos comes order, but its more chaotic with us around as opposed to before, haha.
In an era where most people bear a close resemblance to sandpaper, it’s easy to snap. What are your dislikes/pet peeves/frustrations?:
Don’t like booze at parties. Don’t like research chemicals. Don’t like what the both of them are doing to people and the infiltration of this disturbed energy into a sacred ground of catharsis and meditation.
How do you connect to the spiritual side of yourself?:
Through music. Through every one of the five elements that inspires my music. Through the existence of these five elements in nature.
Your relationship with psychedelics
Are you pro-weed culture? Why do you think the majority of the population goes against the green?:
Propaganda. We are the generation with information technology at its finest. One can recheck a source at any given time, as opposed to when our parents were our age. Whatever the USA planted everywhere, was what the world got. Unfortunately, they knew no better. It is simply propaganda. It’s amazing as to how you can keep planting the same story for years and it becomes a way of life, then be the one ranting about rationality and science.
Any ideas to rectify this mindset?:
Don’t judge. Don’t panic. Its organic.
Advice for the readers and fans
At the end of the ride, everyone’s looking for some form of success (tangible or not), what does success mean to you?:
Adding to the bigger picture, by identifying my true passion and sticking with it. So many people are lost with what they are supposed to ‘do’ or ‘what’ they are supposed to ‘be’. Finding myself and fuelling my passion. The larger picture will also gain, as will you. Cyclic exchange of power between the universal force and the individual.
