#HGPlaylist 35: Kulture Shop (Kunal, Jas & Arjun)

Published on:

08 Jun 2021, 12:23 pm

4 min read

035 KultureShop

Kulture Shop’s

Nike #LeaveYourLegacy campaign

‘Graphic Art as the Art of our Times that provides commentary on a new India and reflects a dynamic Indian identity’

From left to right, are Kunal Anand, Arjun Charanjiva and Jas Charanjiva, co-founders of Kulture Shop.

We took them out of their personal kingdom and into the rabbit hole of aural influences the way we love to on playlist day. So here are each of their personal favourite tunes that always strike a chord, and the stories and moods they associate with them.

A. Kunal Anand

"It’s about identifying one's musical DNA, building a palate of moods and energies."

"If you're ever around watching me work away on my Mac, you're bound to hear a tune or two. After all, music helps accelerate the design process, doesn’t it?"

I) Swindle - Do The Jazz

"Deep Medi Musik records has been putting out some solid bass for the connoisseurs and heads. Experimental, forward thinking and genre blurring. It's why I keep coming back to this head bouncer by the seriously talented Swindle. The track links my love of jazz and drums and is perfect for getting ready to head out on a Friday night. Also pretty impressed with the live setup for this tune."

II. Phoolon Ka Taron Ka (Nerm & D-Code's Final Cinematic Cut)

"I usually enjoy dropping this on a Sunday early afternoon/mid-morning. Happy d'n'b vibes by the Shiva Soundsystem boys and Engine Earz. Will put a smile on your face."

III. Fela Kuti - Zombie

"Fela, the brother, has some serious hip action dance moves, check this doc. Most friends would have seen me attempt a dance sequence to this at an after after party. Turn left, turn right... Salute. Its infectious rolling beat with a long intro. A throwback to African rhythms and roots."

IV. The Gaslamp Killer - Nissim

"Stumbled upon Nissim feat. Amir Yaghmai on guitar and yiali tambur, while getting to know the strange sonic world of The Gaslamp Killer a few years ago. A rare gem."

V. Shabazz Palaces - Forerunner Foray

"A recently-found favourite, I've been rinsing this track for the last two months. I like how playful and experimental these guys are, and that they play with so many ideas in a single track. Usually, I like to drop this on the walk to the studio, with my headphones on; it puts a spring and bounce into my step."

Follow Kunal on Twitter & Instagram, and check out his website + Kulture Shop page.

B. Arjun Charanjiva

Vibrations

jivarecords

I. Ursula 1000 | Funky Bikini

"I can see myself running aerobics classes on Bandstand at 6AM to this quirky funky breaks mashup from Alex Gimeno (Ursula 1000), whom I discovered in APT's basement in New York circa ~2000."

II. Briskey | Galactic Jack (Buscemi's Beat to Beatnick Remix)

"A driving nu-jazz remix of Briskey's debut album that mixes big band samples and Latin beats into an infectious energy. Great for free and open drives over the Sea Link."

III. Chinese Man | I've Got That Tune

"I love the quirky cinematic vibe of trip-hop French Collective Chinese Man that layers reggae, funk, swing and vintage jazz samples. I often drop this at Kulture Shop to give all of us a bit of a lift near the end of the day."

IV. Cinematic Orchestra feat Roots Manuva | All Things to All Men

"A couple of years ago, I rediscovered Cinematic Orchestra's stunning music. Brooding, cinematic, intense and ironically uplifting at the same time, its relentless drive gives me hours of late-night work inspiration on repeat."

V. Groove Armada | Paris

"This perfect back-to-mine track with an anthemic and euphoric feel from chillout legends Groove Armada is a great way to finish the night at an after-party. Also a great way to ask people to leave (laughs)."

Follow Arjun Soundcloud and on Pinterest, and check out the Kulture Shop website.

C. Jas Charanjiva

I. Eurythmics - Love is a Stranger

"I love this song. It's haunting and sung so beautifully. Inspiration for that absurdly dark racy novel I've been prepping for the last 10 years to write."

II. A Flock of Seagulls - Space Age Love Song

"30 years later and still going strong as my favourite song to start my day to."

III. Soft Cell - Sex Dwarf

"This is so new wave and deliciously naughty. Its sound is definitive of the music I listened to in the 80s. I visit this track every few months to relive my favourite era of music."

IV. Panic in Detroit - David Bowie

"This song combines a soulful female back vocal, a mean Mick Ronson guitar riff, hand drums and some nice storytelling inspired by Iggy Pop's Life in Detroit as a Che Guevara type of character in a violent urban landscape. I listen to this track while I'm packing my materials just before getting out to paint an un-commissioned wall."

V. Wordy Rappinghood - Tom Tom Club

"I like this quirky collage of genres because it has everything I need to get into a party mood, for something like a Grime Riot Disco. Created by the experimental husband-wife team from the Talking Heads."

Follow Jas on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and know more about her on the website.

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