Delhi-based contemporary electronica producers Tech Panda x Kenzani have become of Indian electronica’s most distinctive acts and are loved for their ability to make old Indian sounds talk a new modern language. Their new collaboration ‘Heer’ with Punjab-born, California-bred artist Talwiinder is yet another example of their dexterity when it comes to folktronica.
A love ballad, ‘Heer’ is the Delhi-based duo’s first collab with the Punjab-born, California-based singer-songwriter, and first release from an upcoming EP.
Haunting and emotive, ‘Heer’ showcases Talwiinder’s rooted vocals that bring to life the heartbreak in the song. Created around an old folk song sample, the song is an emotional rollercoaster ride, a love ballad soundtracked by Afro-inspired drums and piano.
“It has to be one of our most intense story-telling compositions yet,” say the Delhi-based electronica duo. “Pairing multiple layers of emotive electronica soundscapes with the soul-stirring verses of the virtuoso ‘Talwiinder’, there was no better way to kick start this year than ‘Heer’,” they add.
The multi-talented singer, song-writer and producer Talwiinder brings refreshing energy to hip-hop and pop with his incisive vocals and earthy voice, and was on Tech Panda x Kenzani’s collaborator wishlist for a long time. The admiration was mutual, and ‘Heer’ is the first of three tracks that the trio has worked on.
“He is one of the most spontaneous song writers we’ve come across. Tech Panda and I instantly got the chills when he started singing on Heer. The whole experience was pretty unreal for us,” reveals Kenzani.
The duo of Rupinder Nanda and Kedar Santwani who are behind hits like ‘Dilbar’, ‘Kulli’, ‘Indian Monsoon’, ‘Khoyo’ are excited about 2024 and the releases they have lined up for fans in the coming months.
“Apart from a mini-EP that we are planning with Talwiinder, we also have a couple of releases with folk artists and a techno production lined up for release,” says Tech Panda, adding, “2023 was a fantastic year for us but we didn’t get a chance to release music as often as we are known to, and we want to set that right in 2024.”
2023 was an eventful year for the duo. Their collaboration with Rusha & Blizza ‘Dilbar’ became a viral hit, with nearly 16 million streams on Spotify; they recreated the iconic Post Malone track ‘Sunflower’ for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, played at DGTL India – alongside international techno heavyweights like Richie Hawtin and Dixon – and their popular track ‘Khoyo’ was synced for a new show on Amazon Prime, Shehar Lakhot.
