The Lion’s Share

American DJ Seven Lions on transitioning from metal to drum ‘n’ bass and his first solo India tour.

DJ and music producer Jeff Montalvo

While growing up in California, USA, Jeff Montalvo was the drummer for a metal band formed with his friends. After a few gigs he became frustrated with waiting for his band members to show up for practice sessions and the slow pace of creating music. But as things looked bleak, Montalvo found electronic music and became Seven Lions. This was in 2011 and now he is a formidable name in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene across the world.

After opening for English EDM trio Above & Beyond’s Delhi gig in November, last year, Seven Lions is set for a solo India tour starting today. “I was surprised by the response I got here and that’s why I am returning. I want to continue building my fan base here,” says Montalvo, 27, who grew up admiring metal giants such as Opeth. While Above & Beyond played a fantastic set, it was Montalvo’s Seven Lions avatar that really set the tempo for the night. He is set to perform in Mumbai tonight with gigs in other cities over the weekend.

A year after his entry into the industry, he rose to fame with his second EP called Days to come, which was rated number 1 on online music portal Beatport. Known for other mixes such as Strangers and Below us, Montalvo’s music is primarily drum ‘n’ bass. “The fact that I am a drummer, this genre of drum ‘n’ bass comes very naturally,” he says. He recently released another EP titled World’s apart. “This one is a continuation of the music I produce, but with different collaborators such as Ellie Goulding, Myon & Shane 54 and Tove Lo. I have tried striking a balance between dance and chilled tracks,” says Montalvo.

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His stage name is inspired by a “book in college called The Mist by Gene Wolfe and one of the characters is called Seven Lions. That’s why the name.” With Above & Beyond as his current favourites, Montalvo still spends a lot of time listening to metal. “One day I will play with a metal band again but not professionally.

It will just be for my fans,” he says. Seven Lions will perform in Delhi on Friday at Kitty Su, The Lalit Hotel, 10 pm onwards. Passes are priced Rs 1,000 onwards.

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