Born in Mumbai, and a graduate of Occidental College in America, Hotel Garuda aka Aseem Mangaokar has epitomized the DIY culture of modern dance music. Scaling the online tastemaker world with an array of remixes and remakes, his versatile sound has continued to beckon attention far beyond the music forums. The release of his debut EP The Tension, out now via Mom+Pop Music, has been long-awaited by his global fanbase, with the artist showing a consistent trajectory of evolution over the years from a full-fledged DJ/producer to a well-rounded singer-songwriter.
“I’d be lying if I said this was a solitary effort. Working with several gifted instrumentalists and a vocal engineer who understood how i wanted my voice to sound – before even i did! – was an absolute blessing. As a producer, I was forced to grow into being able to corral parts from different people and jigsawing them into songs, and it’s something I really enjoy doing now. As an artist, I feel like I've really come into my own with regards to what I want my music to say, and the feelings I want it to evoke. I want my listeners to know that I’ve evolved, and though the music I make may not be the same as what initially drew them to me, I hope they’re entertained by the artistic journey that inspires me.” – Hotel Garuda
An amalgamation of styles that showcases full confidence in his creative abilities, The Tension is the perfect representation of Hotel Garuda’s roots, influences, and direction as he moves into a new phase of his artist career.