Since the Internet can’t get enough of throwbacks this month, here’s one that hits close to home: On Ganesh Chaturthi in 2015 in the heart of Girgaon, Nucleya aka Udyan Sagar hopped on a travelling truck fitted with speakers to launch his album Bass Rani. From what we remember, a few thousand people danced shoulder to shoulder that night.
A moment from the 2015 album launch of Bass Rani on the streets of Girgaon
More than a decade later, backstage at SulaFest 2026 in Nashik, we meet 46-year-old Nucleya in a strikingly subdued avatar. The salt-and-pepper beard gives it away. There’s a twinkle in his eye though when we bring up his Mumbai escapade. While the artiste’s electric set right after our chat taught us not to judge a musician by his greys, here’s what the bass heavyweight had to say backstage.
Excerpts from an interview.
Your new album stands out right off the bat from the title: Diggi Bumba. Tell us the story behind it…
It started with a track I composed inspired by ’90s Bollywood music. I took it to Anu Malik, to see if he would like to feature on the title track. He seemed to love the nostalgic vibe, and his first reaction was “Diggi bumba!”
A dated photograph of Nucleya at the launch. PICS COURTESY/NUCLEYA ON YOUTUBE
The new album sounds familiar and fresh at the same time. What’s new, and what has remained the same since the first day?
I am glad people are still hearing the old Nucleya in the album. My creativity is still intact, but the sound has evolved. Earlier, my music was way heavier. I’ll admit I wasn’t great at composition. I’ve spent more time honing that skill in the new album.
Diggi Bumba also features new talent from across India. What was your scouting process like?
It’s all Instagram. I might have DMed [messaged] nearly 200 musicians who piqued my interest. From the ones who got back to me, I’m sitting on a bank of nearly 50 collaborations. We have two new albums coming up. The first one is a Marathi album that will feature artistes like Dorwin and Shreyas Sagvekar. It’s too soon to talk about the second one, but it should be out by the end of the year.
In a 2016 interview, you shared that you have music playing in the background at home 24×7. Has it shaped your son Guri’s affinity to music?
Absolutely. Guri is 14 now and he has grown up to become a singer/pianist/beatboxer/producer. He’s being trained by a Japanese beatboxer, and trying to get into competitive circles. At the moment, he’s fascinated by 3D printing and cooking on the side. I never asked him to take up music, and we’re letting him explore his avenues, just as a teen should.
Talking of 2016, how do you remember the Ganpati Visarjan concert in Mumbai?
It was all a dream. That day was special because everyone who was around me was as invested in making it special, including the fans who showed up in large numbers. I am a big believer in manifestation. Though I’m not sure if Mumbai can still pull off something like that; we can always manifest it. In fact, everything that you hear on the new album is something I had already pictured in my head when I set out to make it.
Artistes across the board seem to be slowing down, retiring, and taking time for themselves in 2026. You took an extended hiatus before it was considered normal. How important was that?
I took a year and a half off from music because I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing. I spent time with my family, went for runs, and read books. My screen time dwindled to an all-time low. I found human psychology to be fascinating, so I started reconnecting with friends and like-minded people to understand and discuss how they navigate phases like this. It helped me plan my way forward.
Gigs to catch
Sounds like Stockholm
Tune into Swedish progressive house music at DJ Jeremy Olander’s (above) extended set in Lower Parel.
ON February 6; 8 pm
AT antiSocial, Lower Parel.
LOG ON TO @antisocialoffline
ENTRY Rs 799
Spin it in Spanish
Dance along to Barcelona-based DJ Edgar De Ramon’s minimal techno-inspired tunes.
ON February 7; 9 pm
AT Waves, Bayview Lawns, Mazgaon.
LOG ON TO sortmyscene.com
ENTRY Rs 999
On my bookshelf
In keeping with his interest in psychology, the musician recommends the bibliography of his current favourite author and Nobel prize winning physicist, Richard Feynman.
AVAILABLE Leading bookstores and e-stores
Next in line
Nucleya’s next album will spotlight the Marathi language, and feature artistes like Dorwin and Shreyas Sagvekar (of Tambdi Chamdi fame)
