Denis Sefani sees an alluring connection between food and music. Dubstep, the kind of music he specialises in, is like a recipe that allows a discerning chef to make tasteful mixes, says the Armenian-French musician. As a second generation immigrant in France, Sefani finds himself blending the flavours of his Armenian ancestry with French avant garde music. “Just as in cooking, its all about mixing the right ingredients, with care and taste,” says the musician who was in the city for a concert organised by Alliance Francaise.
So does cooking fascinate him, one wonders. “Sure. Culture fascinates me. Food is so inextricably connected to culture, just as music. Its about the stories people tell each other and the spaces they share. My music is about being Armenian and French. It connects me to the Armenian diaspora spread all over the world,” says Sefani. His music thus has snippets of life as seen through the eyes of an artist. It blends Armenian and French influences and uses a variety of instruments from both traditions. Sefani’s stage ensemble includes the accordion, the drums, the small keyboard and the Armenian reed instrument Duduk, apart from instruments of Turkish and Arabic descent.
“Indian music has been a major influence,” he says. “I have tried to familiarise with the different traditions of Indian music, Hindustani, Carnatic and folk,” says Sefani who is enchanted by the Sitar and holds Pandit Ravi Shankar and Zakir Hussain in high esteem.
His album ‘A Fistful of Rupees’ has Sitar in the lead; other albums like ‘Autorikshaw Chase’ also uses Sitar and Tabla. “Interestingly, none of those were played by Indian musicians. They are all French artists who did their training in India,” he says.
Sefani appears on stage wearing a hood and stays mostly faceless throughout the performances. “Electronic music is not about star musicians. It is usual to go for a stage costume. I want the listeners to focus on the music and not on the performer. Besides, I play instrumental music and there is really no focus on the singer,” says Sefani.
He admits that the idea sometimes backfires and the audience are eager to see him without the hood. “Yes, sometimes people are intrigued by the faceless performer on stage and want me to take the hood off after the show. I don’t want it to make a total mystery either. So I take the time to chat and mingle after shows , without the hood on,” he laughs.