Electronic Kili: From Engineering to Chart-Topping Composer
Table of Contents
- 1. Electronic Kili: From Engineering to Chart-Topping Composer
- 2. A Rising Star in the Malayalam Music Scene
- 3. From Music Production to Composition
- 4. The Evolving Landscape of Indian Film Music
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions about electronic Kili
- 6. How did Electronic Krishna balance the need for a non-stereotypical action score with the expectations of an action thriller like ‘Thalavara’?
- 7. Music Composer Electronic Krishna’s Insights on Crafting Soundtrack for ‘Thalavara’
- 8. Deconstructing the Sonic Landscape of ‘Thalavara’
- 9. The Initial Brief & Conceptualization
- 10. Blending Electronic and Traditional instruments
- 11. Key Scenes & Musical Approaches
- 12. Tools and Technology Used in Production
Ther’s a surprising humility about music composer Electronic Kili (Stephin Jose) that belies his success, including being the creative force behind the 2024 hit song ‘Eyy banane oru pootharamo’ from the critically acclaimed film, Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys. He openly admits the song’s lyrics are unconventional, even “silly,” and recounts initially performing it simply for the film’s director. he never anticipated the track’s widespread popularity. “‘Eyy banane…’ has a lot of energy, but honestly, I wasn’t initially thrilled with the raw version,” he confessed.
A Rising Star in the Malayalam Music Scene
Electronic Kili is now focusing on his forthcoming debut solo release, Thalavara, aiming to explore a distinct sonic landscape. He devoted nearly three months to composing the seven songs for this project, a testament to his commitment to crafting a unique sound.
While his previous works often feature prominent electronic elements, he intentionally opted for a simpler approach with Thalavara, striving for a vintage and nostalgic feel. He describes his process for the song ‘kand kand…’, explaining that he built the music *around* the lyrics, utilizing them as the central hook. It is vital to note the Tamil track ‘Nila nila…’ featured in the film was not among his compositions.
From Music Production to Composition
Kili’s professional journey began as a music producer, collaborating with composer Ankit Menon on the film Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey. Despite professing a lack of confidence in his own singing abilities, he has contributed vocally to several projects, including Ankit Menon’s ‘machinmele…’ from Extra Decent, ‘the Flip Song’ from Maranamass, and ‘the Jeppu Song’ from Sarkeet, composed by govind Vasantha. He also served as a co-composer and music arranger for Maranamass.
Like many emerging talents in the Malayalam film industry, Kili initially pursued an engineering degree before dedicating himself to music. “I’ve always had a passion for music,starting with playing the keyboard. Following my engineering studies, I enrolled at AR Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai to receive formal training,” he shared, emphasizing his preference for composing over performing.
The origin of his stage name, Electronic Kili, is equally unassuming. “I didn’t have any specific aspirations in filmmaking at the time. I simply needed a name for my SoundCloud profile, and it stuck,” he explained.
| Project | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey | Music Producer | 2024 |
| Extra Decent | Singer (‘Machinmele…’) | 2024 |
| Maranamass | Co-Composer, music Arranger, Singer (‘the flip Song’) | 2024 |
| Sarkeet | Singer (‘the Jeppu Song’) | 2024 |
| Vaazha – Biopic of a Billion Boys | Composer (‘Eyy banane oru pootharamo’) | 2024 |
| Thalavara | Composer | 2025 |
Did You Know? The Indian music industry is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2027, making it one of the fastest-growing music markets globally. Source: Statista
Pro Tip: Explore diverse music platforms like SoundCloud and Bandcamp to discover emerging artists and unique sounds.
What qualities do you think make a song truly memorable?
How critically important is formal music education for aspiring composers in today’s industry?
The Evolving Landscape of Indian Film Music
The rise of composers like Electronic Kili reflects a broader trend within the Indian film industry, where fresh voices and innovative approaches are gaining prominence. The industry is witnessing a shift towards a more collaborative environment, with composers often blending traditional instrumentation with contemporary electronic sounds. This fusion is attracting a wider audience and contributing to the global recognition of Indian music.
Frequently Asked Questions about electronic Kili
- What is Electronic Kili known for? Electronic Kili is a music composer renowned for his work in the Malayalam film industry, notably the 2024 hit song ‘Eyy banane oru pootharamo’ from Vaazha.
- What is Electronic Kili’s latest project? His latest project is his debut solo release, Thalavara, which promises a unique sonic experience.
- Did Electronic Kili study music formally? yes, Electronic Kili studied music at AR Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai.
- What was Electronic Kili’s role in Maranamass? He served as a co-composer and music arranger for Maranamass, contributing significantly to the film’s soundtrack.
- Where did Electronic Kili get his stage name? He chose the name “Electronic Kili” spontaneously for his SoundCloud profile, and it became his professional moniker.
- What kind of music does Electronic Kili compose? While his work often incorporates electronic elements, he’s also skilled in creating music with a vintage and nostalgic feel, as demonstrated in his current project.
- What inspired the name Thalavara? The inspiration behind the title ‘Thalavara’ is closely tied to the thematic exploration and artistic direction of his work.
Share your thoughts! What are your favourite tracks by Electronic Kili, and what are your predictions for his future in the music industry? Leave a comment below!
How did Electronic Krishna balance the need for a non-stereotypical action score with the expectations of an action thriller like ‘Thalavara’?
Music Composer Electronic Krishna’s Insights on Crafting Soundtrack for ‘Thalavara’
Deconstructing the Sonic Landscape of ‘Thalavara’
Electronic Krishna, the acclaimed music composer, recently unveiled the soundtrack for the highly anticipated action thriller, ‘Thalavara.’ The score is already generating buzz for its innovative blend of electronic music, customary Indian instrumentation, and atmospheric sound design. This article delves into Electronic Krishna’s creative process, exploring the techniques and philosophies behind the Thalavara soundtrack. We’ll examine how he approached the film’s narrative, character development, and overall emotional impact through music. Key areas of focus include film scoring, soundtrack composition, and the integration of electronic music with Indian classical music.
The Initial Brief & Conceptualization
The director’s initial brief centered around creating a soundscape that mirrored the film’s duality: a gritty,realistic portrayal of the underworld juxtaposed with moments of intense emotional vulnerability.Electronic Krishna explains, “The core idea was to avoid stereotypical ‘action movie’ tropes. We wanted something that felt authentic, raw, and deeply connected to the characters’ internal struggles.”
This lead to a conceptual framework built around three primary sonic pillars:
Industrial Textures: Representing the harsh realities of the criminal world. Utilizing distorted synths, metallic percussion, and processed field recordings.
Melodic Indian Ragas: Embodying the characters’ emotional depth and cultural heritage. Focusing on instruments like the sitar, tabla, and bansuri.
Atmospheric Soundscapes: Creating a sense of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension. Employing ambient textures, drones, and subtle sound effects.
Blending Electronic and Traditional instruments
A defining characteristic of the Thalavara soundtrack is its seamless integration of electronic and traditional Indian instruments. Electronic Krishna’s approach wasn’t simply about layering sounds; it was about finding harmonic and rhythmic synergy.
Here’s a breakdown of his techniques:
- Microtonal Exploration: He experimented with microtonal scales, common in Indian classical music, within the electronic sound design, creating a unique harmonic language.
- Rhythmic Interplay: Traditional Indian tala (rhythmic cycles) were deconstructed and reinterpreted using electronic drum programming, resulting in complex and captivating rhythms.
- Instrumental Processing: Traditional instruments were processed with electronic effects – reverb,delay,distortion – to create hybrid sounds that blurred the lines between acoustic and electronic.
- Sampling and Synthesis: samples of traditional Indian percussion and vocals were incorporated into synthesized textures, adding an organic quality to the electronic elements. Music production techniques were crucial here.
Key Scenes & Musical Approaches
Let’s examine how Electronic Krishna approached specific scenes:
The Chase Sequence: Instead of relying on fast-paced,aggressive electronic beats,he opted for a driving,hypnotic rythm built around a modified tabla loop and distorted synth bass. the use of dissonant harmonies created a sense of urgency and chaos.
The Protagonist’s Flashback: A poignant scene revealing the protagonist’s troubled past was scored with a melancholic sitar melody accompanied by subtle ambient textures. the use of reverb and delay created a dreamlike quality, emphasizing the scene’s emotional weight.
The Confrontation Scene: This scene utilized a combination of industrial textures, distorted vocals, and a powerful bansuri solo. The contrast between the harsh electronic elements and the soulful flute melody underscored the conflict between the characters. Sound design played a vital role.
Tools and Technology Used in Production
Electronic Krishna’s workflow involved a combination of hardware and software tools. Key components included:
DAW (Digital Audio Workstation): Ableton Live was the primary platform for composing, arranging, and mixing the soundtrack.
Synthesizers: Native Instruments Massive, Serum, and Arturia V Collection were used for creating a wide range of electronic sounds.
Sampling Libraries: EastWest Quantum Leap Silk and Spitfire Audio’s indian instruments provided high-quality samples of traditional indian instruments.
Effects Plugins: FabFilter Pro-Q 3, Valhalla VintageVerb, and Soundtoys Decapitator were used for processing and shaping the sounds. Audio engineering was paramount.
* Field Recording: Ambient sounds were captured on location to add realism
