Avantika is a bold new voice emerging from the global underground. On June 25th, 2025, she made a powerful entrance onto the international stage with her new release on the iconic Berlin-based label, Get Physical Music. Her ‘Moody Koyal EP’ is an evocative, genre-bending two-track release which signals the arrival of a fresh new talent who is unafraid to fuse the traditional with the contemporary.
Drawing from her classical Indian roots and rock vocal past, Avantika crafts a soundscape rich with tribal, Afro, Latin, Middle Eastern, and Indian electronic textures. Rooted in India but resonating far beyond, her fearless fusion of genres, languages, and lived experience makes her not just a producer to watch, but a transformative force in electronic music.
Welcome to Ibiza Music Charts.
Can you give us a quick intro to who you are?
Hi! I’m Avantika – a DJ, producer, and vocalist from India. My sound lives at the intersection of deep, hypnotic grooves and powerful vocals rooted in both my Indian classical training and my rock ‘n’ roll past. I’m best known for creating musical journeys that blend East and West, old and new, bringing a sense of depth, emotion, and energy to every set. Whether it’s through a raw club performance or a sunrise soundscape, my mission is to make people feel something – to move, to connect, to remember.
Music, for me, is far more than entertainment – it’s energy, it’s memory, it’s medicine. I believe we’re all made of frequencies, and when tuned right, we can tap into a collective consciousness that transcends language, borders, and even time. Every set I play, every track I make, carries the intention of love, healing, and unity. We live in a chaotic world, but sound is one of the purest ways to return to peace – and I want to be part of that global recalibration, where we raise our vibration and remember that we’re all in this together.
So whether I’m playing to 10 people or 10,000, my purpose remains the same: to bring people home to themselves, to each other, and to something bigger – through the power of music.
1. Congratulations on your debut with Get Physical! How did the connection with the label come about, and what does this release mean to you?
Thank you so much! Honestly, the way this connection happened still feels a bit magical.
I was at my second ADE last year and attended this session called “Meet the Labels.” Imagine A&R heads from some of the most respected labels in one room, and dozens of us aspiring producers, DJs, singers, and performers circling through five-minute “speed dating” rounds trying to pitch ourselves. It was chaotic, overwhelming, and wildly energizing. I hadn’t felt so alive in years. Just being in a room full of passionate, hungry artists trying to make their sound and story heard gave me goosebumps.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to say or do, but I followed my gut, and that instinct led me to the Get Physical team. We connected instantly, had a beautiful exchange, and a few weeks later, I sent them a track I had been working on: Moody Koyal. They were into it. After some incredible feedback and back-and-forth that really helped elevate the song, they asked me to send more. I sent Maro Dum, they loved it, and just like that, they offered me a two-track EP. The rest is history. What a way to connect, right?
To be signed by Get Physical feels surreal. I’ve looked up to the label for years, many of the tracks and artists they’ve championed have been part of my own journey, as a listener, a raver, a DJ, and now as a producer. Their sound has always resonated deeply with me: emotive, danceable, rooted, and honest.
This release means everything to me. It feels like a homecoming, like a signal from the universe that I’m finally stepping into my true sound, my voice, my story. As an Indian woman navigating the electronic music scene, especially coming from a deeply spiritual and musical culture, I’ve always believed music isn’t just about rhythm or melody. It’s about frequency, intention, vibration. I see music as a tool to raise consciousness, to unite us across cultures and identities, to remind us of our shared aliveness.
2. Your sound is described as bold and genre-defying. How would you define your musical identity in your own words?
I’d say my music lives between the sacred and the sweaty. I love contrast, something ancient layered with something heavy and modern. There’s a lot of emotion, tribal energy, and vulnerability in what I do. It’s not meant to fit neatly into one genre; it’s more of a journey than a formula.
I believe I’m shaping something that feels uniquely mine. I call it Desi House, “Desi” being a term that refers to people and culture from the Indian subcontinent. It’s a blend of my Hindustani classical Indian vocal roots and the global club culture I’ve been obsessed with since my college days.
My sound is deeply shaped by travel. I’ve wandered across continents, but the inspiration I return to most often is home. This EP is rooted in India. Moody Koyal is a tribute to the tribal heartlands, a sonic journey through the raw, primal energy I grew up around. It’s layered with sounds that have followed me all my life: the deep thump of the sacred cowbell used as bass, the call of the koyal (cuckoo bird), monkeys screeching in mischief, all reimagined through a hypnotic, club-ready lens.
Maro Dum is my love letter to the legendary Dum Maro Dum, a track etched into my memory ever since I first saw Zeenat Aman sway on screen with such effortless sensuality. I always dreamed of reimagining that feeling, that energy, in my voice and style. This EP is that dream, finally realized.
3. You blend classical Indian training with rock vocals, tribal rhythms, and club textures. How do you approach balancing such a diverse range of influences?
It’s a bit like storytelling. I don’t sit down with a checklist of genres. I just follow the feeling. My classical Indian training, or riyaz, taught me discipline, patience, and how to really listen, not just to sound, but to silence, to space, to emotion, and how to build intensity. The rock vocals bring the edge, the bite, that raw, unfiltered emotion. Then I layer it with grooves that feel earthy and hypnotic.
I trust my instincts and let all these parts of me coexist in the music. I’ve also been lucky to have some incredible mentors along the way — people who’ve helped me dive deeper into blending my worlds and guided me in creating music that feels timeless, authentic, and in balance.
4. What was the inspiration behind the Moody Koyal EP, particularly its themes and sonic direction?
The Moody Koyal EP was born from memory, instinct, and a longing to reconnect with something ancient and wild within me. It draws heavily from India – not the polished, postcard version, but the raw, textured sounds I grew up with. Moody Koyal is inspired by the tribal lands and the primal energy I’ve felt moving through wild Indian forests, village festivals, and quiet dawns. The koyal, or cuckoo bird, is a recurring symbol in Indian folklore and music, and her voice felt like the perfect guide through this track: playful, mysterious, and moody. I used to hear it constantly growing up, and subconsciously, that melancholic call has stayed with me ever since.
Sonically, I wanted to blend that earthy, instinctual world with club sensibilities – deep bass (sampled from a cow’s moo), hypnotic percussion (the tabla, my favorite Indian drum), and a vocal narrative that feels ancestral. The second track, Maro Dum, is a reinterpretation of a song deeply etched in Indian pop culture. I’ve always been fascinated by Dum Maro Dum – it’s bold, sultry, and timeless. I imagined what it would sound like in today’s underground scene, filtered through my voice and energy.
Together, the EP explores themes of sensuality, rebellion, and freedom – a kind of dance between the sacred and the seductive.
5. You’ve reimagined the iconic Dum Maro Dum in Maro Dum. What drew you to that track, and how did you approach reinterpreting it for the club?
That track has always felt like a badass anthem, bold and way ahead of its time. I was mesmerized the first time I saw Zeenat Aman on screen – her presence, the attitude, the sway – it was iconic. Zeenat was one of the first Indian actresses to truly embody boldness and sensuality on screen in the ’70s, and Dum Maro Dum became her defining moment. I’ve always felt the track’s raw feminine energy, and to keep that spirit alive, I built a groovy version with layered, distorted vocals and heavy synths. The soul of the song is still there, just dressed for the underground.
It was important to me to honour the nostalgia while making space for something new, something that felt like me. The result is a tribute, but also a transformation.
6. The title track Moody Koyal blends nature sounds with fierce club energy. Can you tell us more about the concept and creative process behind it?
Moody Koyal is one of the most instinctive tracks I’ve made. It started with a feeling. I wanted to bring the wild, textured sounds of India into the club. The koyal, or cuckoo bird, has such a distinct, emotional call. I used to hear it all the time growing up. There’s something haunting and beautiful about it, and subconsciously, it’s always been part of my inner rhythm. I sampled that call and built the track around it, blending it with a deep groove and intense low-end energy.
I layered field recordings like monkey screeches and a sacred cow’s “moo,” alongside tabla percussion and textured vocals to create a world that feels spiritual but gritty. It’s a tribute to wild feminine emotion, deep, unpredictable, powerful. I wanted it to feel like a bridge between nature and the club, something that grounds you, moves you, and still hits hard on the dancefloor.
7. Your live DJ sets, where you sing while performing, have gained attention around the world. What inspired you to bring live vocals into your sets?
For me, music has always been about connection, not just with the crowd, but with myself. Singing is where I first found my voice – literally- so bringing live vocals into my DJ sets felt like the most natural and authentic way to share my story in real time. I’ve been a singer long before I was a DJ, so combining the two felt like a natural evolution. This hybrid live approach feels more intimate, and I love being spontaneous, something I embody both personally and artistically. Honestly, I missed the vulnerability that comes with singing. DJing is powerful, but adding vocals opens up a whole new dimension. Sometimes I improvise, and those raw moments keep me fully present. It’s challenging, but deeply rewarding because it’s real and makes me feel alive.
I’ve also been inspired by many incredible live and hybrid artists around the world, Monolink, Jan Blomqvist, Bonobo, Satori, AWEN, Joplyn, Adassiya, Ashibah, to name a few, who’ve shown me how powerful and moving this format can be.
Ultimately, I want people to feel that honesty and shared moment, to be fully present with me in the music.
8. You were the first Indian DJ to play at Exit Festival, a major milestone. What was that experience like for you?
Playing at Exit Festival as the first Indian DJ was a truly unforgettable moment, both an honor and a responsibility. But it was also the most challenging moment of my life. I was battling a sudden medical emergency and spent time in the hospital just before the show. Still, I believed deeply that “the show must go on.” Despite the excruciating pain, I fought through it to deliver one of the most emotional and powerful sets I’ve ever played.
Exit is such a massive platform with a diverse, passionate crowd, and stepping onto that stage felt like breaking new ground, not just for me, but for Indian artists in the electronic music scene. There’s a sacred bond I share with Exit, a connection between Serbia and India as one, through music and spirit. That experience wasn’t just about the performance; it was about connection, resilience, and breaking stereotypes. It motivated me to keep pushing boundaries, representing my culture, and inspiring others from India and beyond to chase their dreams in electronic music.
That night taught me so much about strength and passion, and it’s something I carry with me every time I step behind the decks.
9. Your music crosses borders and traditions. How do your Indian roots continue to shape your sound today?
My Indian roots are the foundation of everything I create and the heart of my sound, what I like to call Desi House, a genre and style that truly feels like my own. This sound is born from the rigorous discipline of riyaz, the classical vocal training that taught me focus, patience, and how to connect deeply with my emotions and the divine, without losing sight of who I am and where I come from.
Devotion is a core principle of who I am, and it’s central to the message I want to convey through my music, honesty, vulnerability, love, and compassion. My music carries all of that, the highs, the lows, the pain, and the resilience, woven into every note and story I tell.
At the same time, I immerse myself in different environments, allowing ideas and influences to flow freely, and learning to accept what I can’t control. These philosophies shape me as a person and as an artist, naturally flowing into my music.
My global travels have been a huge inspiration in developing this sound further, bridging the gap between East and West. I want to continue reducing that gap, creating a beautiful cross-cultural exchange where diverse identities and traditions unite through music. Ultimately, my goal is to build something authentic that honors my roots while connecting with people across the world.
10. There’s a strong emotional depth to your productions. What role does storytelling play in your creative process?
A huge one. Each track begins with a memory, a feeling, or even a visual. Sometimes it’s rooted in moments from my past that still live inside me, and other times it’s like a creative reflex, something that flows through me, beyond explanation.
I remember exactly where I first heard certain songs, at a concert, on the radio, in a shopping mall, but more importantly, I remember how they made me feel. Something visceral. Almost spiritual.
I see music as ritual, a way to process and express what words often can’t. That’s why I use my voice, samples, and atmospheric textures to create a world you can step into, not just a track you hear. Sometimes I imagine a desert ritual, other times a heartbreak in the rain. And sometimes, I embody a completely different version of myself, like Indian actress Zeenat Aman in Dum Maro Dum. That vision actually led to the creation of Maro Dum.
With Moody Koyal, the story came from the sounds that followed me while touring across India, taking trains, tuk-tuks, walking through chaotic streets, hearing birds, animals, and temple bells. These sounds became an integral part of my journey, so it felt only natural to weave them into my music.
I believe people connect most deeply when they can feel the story, even without lyrics. That’s the power of sound: it speaks when words fall short.
11. You’ve performed across continents. Have you noticed differences in how international audiences connect with your music?
Yeah, definitely. Every place has its own vibe and rhythm, its own way of listening and absorbing. In Europe, for example, I often find people more open to experimental sounds and longer journeys in a set. At a unique space like Burning Man, it’s a platform to truly experiment and be creative. Even the mess-ups, those raw, human moments, are embraced so beautifully. It actually inspires you to be better, to work harder, so the next time you deliver a set, it’s closer to flawless.
In India, there’s a deep emotional connection, especially when I bring in elements of Indian classical music, ethnic textures, Middle Eastern sounds, or some kind of flavour. People feel it in their bones.
What’s really beautiful is that music transcends language. Whether I’m singing live in Hindi in Berlin or dropping a tribal groove in Goa, the energy exchange is real. People move differently, but the connection is universal.
12. As a rising force in global dance music, what do you hope listeners take away from the Moody Koyal EP and your broader work?
I hope they feel something real. Moody Koyal is about emotion, movement, and memory. it’s rooted in who I am as an Indian woman navigating tradition, freedom, and self-expression. The EP carries stories, sounds, and sensations from my travels across India, trains, temples, animals, and voices, all fused into modern electronic textures.
More broadly, I hope my work creates space where people can be wild, free, emotional, and fully themselves, unapologetically. Whether it’s a moment of stillness or a full-body dancefloor release, I hope the music leaves behind a feeling that stays with them.
Avantika’s ‘Moody Koyal’ EP is available to stream and purchase here: Stream / Buy