underground party

Auster Wip Launch Party by Aman Sridhar

Auster e-juice's launch party in Delhi was one of the first big parties I covered after I started with Boxout Wednesdays, and it was really nothing I could have expected. 

The warehouse was ridiculously stacked with stalls sampling out vapes. The art installations varied from experimental to straight up in your face, but the decorations were tasteful. 

For me, it was all about the music though. I had semi-hustled my way into one of the craziest parties I had ever worked. I was there for the bass tearing into every fibre of my body; the light show so trippy it would trick you into thinking you were on DMT; and the chance of capturing some of the greatest pictures I could possibly imagine. 

To my large sequences of the night were simply a blur. Obviously, the booze was flowing, but almost always when I'm working, I stay off the alcohol until the very end of the night when I've done my job. Despite having access to almost unlimited supplies of alcohol, I didn't need any. It was the environment, the people the music and the dance floor that was so ridiculously adrenaline pumping, I couldn't wrap my head around it. 

In my mind, despite being the new kid on the block with a shitty camera and a semi-complete vision, I had achieved something I had dreamed about. 

In hindsight, I can say that the party was a great opportunity that subsequently led to numerous more gigs of a similar nature, but in the moment all I could think about was the colours, the frame and the light (or lack thereof). Eventually, I got some shots I was insanely pleased with; you can check them out below. 

 

Sub-z Bassmndi 3.0 by Aman Sridhar

I was in the taxi on my way to the venue when I looked outside for the first time. It was unrecognizable. 

I was in the middle of nowhere. Broken down houses, burnt trash, unkempt shrubs all over. The cab guy pulls over and I get out. 

I have no idea where the fuck I am, and I'm certain, I'm going to get stabbed and robbed. 

Google maps points to this crack in the wall, through which I enter. Inside is a shady looking hotel/wedding hall. There's a few people in there and some food being cooked on the side. 

After saying my his to everyone, I step further in and set my stuff down. The next hour and a half has me waiting around like everyone else, hoping that sooner or later there's going to be a crowd that turns this place upside down. 

To be fair, once the music kicked in I couldn't think anymore. 

Bass so loud that every bone in your body vibrated. Beers flowing all over the place; behind the stage in the 'VIP' area, there were buckets of ice with beers overflowing onto the floor. On the dance floor, hot rocks from joints were flying around, ash and smoked filled the room as more and more took the term "lit" more and more literally. 

I've worked enough of these gigs at this point to know how to make myself invisible, work my way through the crowd, get the best shots and also deal with the crowd in a cordial manner. Taking pictures is my job, but I'll never do a good one if I'm not enjoying the music, and being completely free while doing it. 

That's what the Bassmndi did really well. Hour after hour flew by until I realized that it was close to 6 in the morning. I hadn't had much to drink, but I had another gig the same day in the afternoon and I had to sleep before that. 

Eventually I stumbled home and slept on the floor (I didn't have a bed), before I made my way to the next gig the next day. 

It was pure, adrenaline filled madness and it's something I will definitely be keen on covering again. 

Check out the pictures below.

(Click on the pictures for a full-size view)