Aroop Roy comes to Billinudgel

On Australia Day 2025 long weekend, the Sensory Blender delivers an exceptional line up of globally celebrated DJs to the Billinudgel Hotel.

Featured artist Aroop Roy (UK), is a globally-renowned producer, musician, and DJ. Aroop blends house, techno, jazz, and global rhythms into electrifying sets. His genre-defying performances have captivated audiences at iconic venues like Fabric, Printworks, and Hi Ibiza.

Seven caught up with Aroop Roy for a chat about the Billinudgel event.

It’s probably very hard to separate your many hats … do you see yourself foremost, as a producer, a musician, a DJ or as the head of the label?

I have a pretty holistic approach. I grew up playing in bands, singing in the choir and blagging my way in the orchestra on second violins – I constantly had the radio on and as I grew older, spent most of my weekends in record shops, seeing how far my newspaper-round money could stretch.

My productions often feature me playing bass, guitar, synths and sometimes vocals. A lot of the music I produce finds its way into my sets and most of my reworks and edits are produced with the dance floor in mind.

One of the key motivations for DJing is sharing music with people. My label, Vive La Musique, is a labour of love, digging out lost sounds, or simply music which deserves a new audience. Here also, since the original tracks are not necessarily with the dance floor in mind, I usually produce and commission remixes, hoping people will be inspired to trace back to the original.

So in a simple sentence – it’s all connected and impossible to separate!

What sets you apart from other DJs?

The way I mix together seemingly disparate sounds from a wide spectrum of cultures and generations seems to have made a particularly big impression on both dancers and DJs.

While I am conscious of genres and the history of different scenes, I tend to think of tracks on a raw musical level looking for things in common or complimentary elements. I do enjoy surprising people and since no part of my set is ever planned, I often surprise myself too!

You might find me playing UK Garage at a disco event or blending New Order with an African tribal number – somehow it all makes sense!

Have you ever found a piece of music that made you feel like you dug up gold?

When I discovered some lost ‘80s tracks from South African bass player and composer – the late Sipho Gumede, I was really blown away. The combination of South African Zulu-jazz roots, modern boogie and infectious pop sensibility was both unique and breathtaking. It took me on a two-year journey of tracking down the original producer Greg Cutler, who had long left his career in music, and eventually reissuing the music on my label Vive La Musique.

One track that particularly inspired listeners is ‘Jika Jika’ (under Sipho’s The Boogieman moniker) – it’s an audacious cover of Grandmaster Flash’s ‘The Message’ romping through the original elements with a super-funky South African twist.

What will the punters at the Billinudgel hear that no one has heard before?

I have quite a collection of exclusive unreleased productions – both original tracks and reworks. I’m producing new music every week, so no doubt there will be several tunes getting their first dance floor airings!

Are you having enough fun?

I do work very hard and take a lot of pride and care in what I do. But every now and again, I have to take a moment to appreciate what an incredible privilege it is to be able to share music I love and enjoy so many moments of joy with people around the world. So, yes, I’m having a lot of fun!

This special event promises a journey through diverse musical landscapes while supporting a vital local cause – Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital. Tickets from eventbrite.com.au/e/sensory-blender-presents-aroop-roy-uk-tickets-1108918257359?