5 minute read
Shaun Moses
In the sun-drenched beaches of Goa, where culture and creativity collide, Shaun Moses stands as a trailblazer of the underground electronic scene. A Goa-based producer, DJ, and live act, Shaun has been at the heart of the techno movement for over a decade, shaping his sound with a unique blend of raw energy, groove, and soul. His music transcends borders, speaking a global language while remaining deeply rooted in his Goan upbringing.
Introduction & Origins
Shaun describes himself simply: “I’m a Goa-based Indian producer, DJ, and live act. The genre I play and primarily produce is techno, and I’ve been at it for the last 10 years or so.” His music carries a distinct character, raw, groovy, stripped down, yet soulful, a reflection of Goa’s rich culture and its history as India’s party capital. Introduced early on to a variety of musical styles and intellectual genres, Shaun credits his home state’s eclectic sound palette for shaping his sonic identity.
The Musical Journey
Shaun’s journey into underground electronic music was deeply personal. His father, Daniel Moses, along with his mother, Thelma Moses, founded Boutique House in 2007, a small bar at Arpora Night Market in Goa that soon became one of the most soughtafter venues. The combination of his father’s cocktail artistry and a carefully curated music lineup created a magnetic atmosphere. “I would make it almost every Saturday… assist dad where I could and hear different artists perform their signature styles.”
His defining career moment arrived in 2012, when he played his first festival, Krank in Goa, a pivotal experience. Shaun’s earliest influences include Timo Maas, Jalebee Cartel, Massive attack , Moby , Donna summer and Groove Armada, whose sounds inspired him to carve out his own identity in the electronic music landscape.
Signature Sound & Creative Process
Shaun defines his signature style as: “Bouncy, fastpaced, stripped-down techno layered with soulful and euphoric grooves.” When creating new tracks, Shaun always starts with an emotion, translating personal experiences into sound. Rather than confining himself to a formula, he often draws inspiration from memorable weekends on the road or live shows. His philosophy of constant evolution is powered by experimenting with synthesisers, production techniques, travel, and collaborations with like-minded artists.
Career Milestones
With releases on prestigious labels such as Gem Records, Molecular, Suara, and Be As One, Shaun emphasises the importance of authentic alignment: “It’s crucial to ask whether you genuinely support a label’s vision, not just for affiliation.”His performances on iconic platforms like Boiler Room and Mixmag Lab were significant milestones, amplifying his presence in the domestic and international techno scenes.
Among his most cherished gigs was a B2B set at Loveland Festival, sharing the stage with Dutch legend Secret Cinema in front of 6,000 people, a memory Shaun describes as unforgettable.
Global Presence
Shaun has performed across Europe, South Africa, and Russia, where he notes the passionate and dedicated crowds. “Europe has more variety in terms of audience, so I can explore different sonical directions.” Touring reshaped his production approach, helping him focus on minimalism and clarity: “Less is always more.” His journey as an Indian artist in the global techno scene hasn’t been without challenges. Visa hurdles, travel expenses, and dealing with bias added to the difficulties of carving out a global identity. Yet perseverance remained his guiding light.
Studio & Gear
Transitioning from in-the-box production, Shaun’s recent shift to analog equipment, most notably the Elektron Syntakt, has revolutionised his sound. He combines it with Ableton stock effects, Arturia, and Roland plugins, emphasising quality over quantity. His pre-show ritual is simple but effective: “Two double espressos and 50 push-ups.”
Personal Life & Passions
Beyond music, Shaun works in real estate with his father and dedicates time to training at the gym, playing tennis, cooking, and baking. His disciplined lifestyle reflects the balance he maintains between creativity and routine.
India’s Underground Techno Scene
Shaun believes the Indian underground techno scene has accelerated post-pandemic, citing emerging talents such as Film (Sanil Sudan), Jay Pei, Audio Units (Ashwin & Ashrith Baburao), and 8-bit Culprit (Faraz Ehsan). Collectives like Maushi (Pune), Void (Jaipur), Sound Simplify (Hyderabad), Forward and Afterworx are also making waves.
“We need lesser reliance on international headliners and better budgets for homegrown artists at major shows.”
Creative Vision & Future Goals
Looking ahead, Shaun is set to release tracks on Paul Ritch’s Quartz Recordings and Marco Lenzi’s Molecular Recordings later this year. His dream collaborations include working with Ray Kajioka and Steve Rachmad, as well as playing at iconic festivals like 909 and Stone Techno Festival. “There will be a constant evolution every year, and I leave it to my followers to decide whether they like it or not.”
Philosophy & Closing Thoughts
At the core of Shaun’s journey lies one principle: authenticity. His advice to aspiring producers is clear: “Don’t do it for fame or the limelight, you’ll burn out quicker than you think.”
For Shaun Moses, success is not measured by commercial achievements but by the profound satisfaction of hearing his tracks played by the best artists on the biggest stages, and having audiences instantly recognise his distinct sound.
