PANELIA is the new project from rising New Dehli producer Jay Pei. He is set to release his debut album Nothing and All At Once’ due Nov 29th. On the album, Pei weaves a rich tapestry of electronica, breaks, and jungle, with textured soundscapes, leftfield rhythms, and cinematic flourishes. The album seamlessly transitions from driving beats to ambient moments. He has been tipped as an artist to watch in 2024 by Mixmag Asia.
FACTS
1. Blackholes
2. You can’t fold a piece of A4 paper more than eight times
3. Digital machines are made up of analog parts
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
My greatest inspiration comes from witnessing other artists perform live, creating their own unique worlds with their music. Watching people bring their honest, authentic selves to the stage and create an immersive experience is incredibly powerful. It not only helps me understand and build my own artistic universe, but also enables me to discover more about myself as an artist.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I started making music in 2010 after discovering electronic music through my brother, who attended an electronic music festival that year. Being blown away by the music that he made me listen to, my first thought was to know how that music was made. Learning that it was created using computer softwares ignited a passion in me to learn more about the music. This newfound interest felt like a purpose in life, and since then, I’ve been driven to create more music every day.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Radiohead – Kid A
The Prodigy – The Fat of the Land
Burial – Untrue
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra – Promises
Nine Inch Nails – Add Violence
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
I haven’t had the chance to visit Berlin yet, but I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the city. While I’d love to share what I’ve heard, I believe it would be more authentic to wait until I’ve experienced Berlin for myself.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
Nyari Dam holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been visiting since my teenage years, and over time, it has become a place where I feel truly at peace. I often try to catch the sunset there when I’m in my hometown, as it is a place where I can reflect and find solace. Watching the sunset with friends at Nyari Dam makes me feel positive and introspective, and it’s hard to put into words the profound impact this place has on me.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I’d be a footballer
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
LYR – The Ultraviolet Age
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Trent Reznor
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
One of the most memorable gigs I’ve had was at the All Together Now festival in Ireland in 2022. As my first major festival performance in Europe, it was magical to see my music connect with an audience that was mostly new to my music. Seeing the positive response to my music was truly unforgettable, and I will always cherish that moment as one of the highlights of my career.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
The technological advancements in the music has helped me to pursue a career in music. As someone who never received formal training in music, digital audio workstations and other tools allowed me to create music without the need for an instrument. Additionally, the ability of computers to communicate with instruments has allowed me to add greater nuance and depth to my compositions, which I believe would have been more challenging to achieve otherwise.
11. Please tell us a bit about your new album Nothing and All at Once.
“Nothing and All at Once” is a testament to my artistic journey. It’s my most personal work to date, representing the on going quest to discover my identity and voice as an artist. Each track reflects profound moments in my life and my evolution as a musician, making it a deeply personal and honest expression of who I am.
