Nawed Khan, known by his stage name Browncoat, has been a driving force in the alternative and underground side of electronic music in India for the past decade. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of the genre, he has quickly become one of the most sought-after producers and performers in India, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in electronic music such as Sven Vath, Seth Troxler, Yotto, Lane 8, Ben Bohmer, Tinlicker, andDisclosure, to name a few.
Listen Home Now
Interview with Browncoat
Can you share the story or inspiration behind your new single ‘Home’? What personal experiences or emotions influenced its creation?
“Home” began with a fascinating bamboo flute sample I’d had for a while. Wanting to avoid the clichés of many “ethnic Indian-inspired” tracks, I focused the entire composition around it. After refining it, I found a vocal that harmonized perfectly, adding that final touch of magic. The emotion that resonated with me while working on “Home” would be best described by the Portuguese term “Saudade,” which encapsulates a sense of longing, melancholy, and yearning. However, this emotion isn’t directed towards anyone or anything external; rather, it’s an intrinsic feeling that resides within oneself.
How did your collaboration with Purified Records come about for this release?
I’ve been an ardent follower of Nora and Purified, and it’s truly been an honor to have their consistent support for my music. Among all the demo submissions I’ve sent, “Home” resonated deeply with them, leading to our first official release together. Working with the Purified team has been a delight—they are among the most pleasant individuals I’ve collaborated with. Their communication is not only prompt but also precise and respectful. I only wish that my interactions with other labels were as seamless and stress-free as this.
Can fans expect more releases through Purified Records?
They have liked a couple of my other tracks, and I’m awaiting some sample clearances from the original artist in India; this particular one is really special, I hope it goes through.
Are you planning any special events or live performances for 2024?
The festival season in India is almost coming to an end; last year was really special when I got to open for Ben Böhmer in Mumbai to a sold-out stadium venue. Last week I also played the main event and the finale afterparty for one of India’s biggest music festivals – VH1Supersonic. This year too, I am looking forward to the August edition of our homegrown boutique music festival called Satellite Beachside; it’s one of the most fun events to be a part of.
If you could share the stage with any figure in the industry, who would it be and why? On which festival you would love to see your name on the line-up
Being one of the older Producers/DJs out of India, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with almost all my favorite artists over the years, from my childhood heroes like Roger Sanchez and Axwell to Joris Voorn and Yotto. For the future wishlist, I would love to get an opportunity to share the stage with Eric Prydz, Tiga, Booka Shade, Paul Kalkbrenner, and Solomun.
How do you see your sound evolving in the future? Do you plan to explore any new genres or styles in your upcoming music?
I have been working with a lot of Indian artists in the last few months and have some amazing music in the works. India has 122 major languages and 1599 other languages, and somehow only Hindi and its adjacent dialects get a chunk of mainstream push. I have two beautiful tracks ready with two amazing singers, and though I don’t speak the language, I love that the vocals are in Tamil and Sanskrit. Both these languages have been around for more than 2-3000 years.
