Blending the past with the pulse of the present, rising artist Double Major is carving out his own lane in the global pop landscape with his Nu-Disco sound. Hot on the heels of his recent single ‘RKR’, the Berlin-based, Karachi-born producer returns with ‘KBN’, a groove-drenched, funk-forward anthem built for the dance floor. With crisp production, sticky melodies, and a chorus that refuses to sit still, ‘KBN’ pulses with both nostalgia and forward-thinking flair.
So we sit down with Double Major to talk about reclaiming disco as a force for cultural expression, his journey from Karachi to Berlin, and why he believes dance music still has the power to unite.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I was born and grew up in Karachi, Pakistan. Music moved me from an early age, and it was Mark Knopfler’s guitar work with Dire Straits that led me to pick up a 6-string. Actually as a lefty guitarist it was pretty hard to find one in Karachi at the time haha. The blues were my first love, and what brought me into the music world. I performed at an early age in Pakistan, at small festivals and even on the radio with my own songs. Fast forward to moving to Berlin in 2019, I bought a Moog and I began to dive into synth sounds and grooves. I started to go deeper into synthesis, sound design, and production and it enabled me to write more forcefully.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
I’m a music hedonist. I like any music that moves me. From The Pot to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Pink Floyd to Yes. Tower of Power to Vulfpeck. Most recently the sounds of Wayne Snow, Dabeulle, and the like have shaped my music to be sharp and groove-focused. Seeing how Wayne Snow for example blends beautiful vocals with undeniable dance qualities showed me the way to a sound I could craft that was unique for my background and my cultural identity.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
It has always been a part of my physiology. It was always the thing that brought me joy and tears, and the most fundamentally moving thing for me. I was writing songs at a very early age, often worrying my parents because of the sort of lyrics I was coming up with. Even doing simple Raaga exercises for my voice would bring tears to my eyes. It was only a matter of time before I decided to make it my life’s work. I performed and wrote all through school, college, and after working a few years at a tech company and saving some money, I decided to set my eyes on the most powerful call that I heard. The mission to make music that can make people move, and make people feel something.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
An idea or a hook can appear out of nowhere at any time. So my focus is on constantly finding and listening to music that moves me, and being open to how it can shape my sound. Then, when I have an idea lyrically or musically, I can dive into my influences and draw from them to build a larger vision for the song. How should it groove? How should the bass wobble? What am I trying to say? It is an iterative process, and I remain open throughout for the song to be influenced by the sounds I am currently inspired by. Once we have a clear vision, we can craft the elements around it to make it focused and sharp.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
We have to live life to have inspiration. Looking deep inside ourselves is important, but if we are not involved and immersed in the people around us and the place we are in, there won’t be much of interest growing inside us. I draw on my surroundings, my life experiences, and my desires, and find there is always something to say.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I want my music to be accessible at all levels. If people want to dance, the groove is there for them. If they listen deeper, they will find stories and emotions from my life experience in the lyrics. For me, the music I love always ended up being a soundtrack to my life the moment it found me. Whatever moment my listeners are in, I want to give them music that adds the colour and flavour to their life that can enhance their lived experience.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Haha…it is all a challenge. That is why we are crazy enough to do it. Improve your skills, hone your craft, find your fans, expose yourself to the world. For me these are not so much challenges as much as they are motivations. I think a big dream or a big idea just logically requires a lot of hard work. All the challenges are still ahead, and even if and when I achieve a larger scale with my music, there will be more challenges to face. Keep em coming.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Finding a sound that made me move to my own music. Discovering aspects of my voice, writing, and composing that I did not have previously. Unlocking the abilities in myself and feeling more powerful in my craft is the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever experienced.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
We go together. There is always a wave, a community of brilliant musicians, technicians, artists, and creators rising in every place. We have to find our people, and stay connected to them. If we let go of the illusion of control, we can ride the wave and evolve our sound with the collective. I don’t see any value in being stubborn about who we are, we are just as good as the people and the sounds around us. Keeping the ears and the heart open will mean that I am always true to myself and my taste, and always changing with the milieu around me.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
More releases! There are 2 more tracks from the current EP coming, and more singles after that. I am new on the scene, and I am establishing a new sound. I have lots of releases lined up for the rest of the year, and constantly working on more fun stuff. For now fans can expect more great music to jam to.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
In terms of performance, my goal in the next 5 years (actually less) is to have some tours planned. In terms of my music, I want to collaborate with more and more talented people. Producers, writers, instrumentalists, singers, whatever. I can take any shape and contribute in any way in the service of making something great – there’s no Ego there. Continuing to release fresh music is a given, and I have honed my creative process to keep delivering on that. Now the goal is to grow my fanbase so I can give them great performances on stage, and connect with more talented artists to shape future sounds together. The best is yet to come.
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Listen to Double Major’s new single ‘KBN’ below.
