Martin Pattara, famously known as DJ Martin2Smoove, has earned acclaim as one of "London's most prominent DJs”. From a family originally hailing from the southern state of Kerala in India, Martin's odyssey is a compelling narrative of duality, seamlessly fusing the traditional with the contemporary.
Over the last decade, Martin has journeyed across the globe, delighting discerning audiences at the most sizzling events and representing some of the world's most prominent brands. This journey has established him as one of the most sought-after DJs in the industry.
In a conversation with Asian Voice, Martin talks about his Indian roots and career.
What initially ignited your interest in pursuing a career in music?
My passion for music began when I started listening to Michael Jackson after I was given one of his albums. My household was pretty traditional and didn't have a strong musical influence in terms of contemporary music. So, during my formative years, Michael Jackson was my primary musical exposure.
When did you begin actively pursuing a career in music?
Music is at the core of my life. In contrast, my parents, who come from a typical Kerala background, prioritised education. Education was always the top priority, so pursuing a career in music was never really an option. However, during my university years, I found my independence and started hosting parties and DJing. I enjoyed it immensely, and after earning my economics degree, I shifted my focus to a career in DJing.
What are some significant highlights from your career? What has your journey been like so far?
I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have experienced numerous career highlights. This year, I had the honour of performing at the royal wedding of the year, in Jordan. Shortly after, I was invited to DJ for the winning European Ryder Cup team in Rome.
I also played at Vikkstar and Ellie’s wedding, Vikkstar123 is one of the world’s no.1 YouTubers. I had the pleasure of touring with Romesh Ranganathan, one of the UK's most prominent comedians, during his sold-out tour, and I'm looking forward to joining him on tour once again in 2024.
In the previous year, I had the distinct honour of orchestrating the music for New Year's Eve fireworks for London. Our Mayor, Sadiq Khan, curates a spectacular firework display that draws people from around the globe and garners millions of viewers worldwide. I played for this extraordinary event and hope to have the privilege of contributing to its success once more this year.
What other significant opportunities or collaborations has your career opened up for you?
While music remains my primary focus and driving force, in recent years, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with various brands. One of these collaborations was with Carrera sunglasses, which is quite popular in India. I'm also an ambassador for the world's number-one premium tequila company - Patrón, which is something I'm genuinely passionate about because I love tequila. Moreover, I've had the chance to work with luxury fashion and leather goods companies like Mont Blanc and Mulberry, a distinguished British brand. These collaborations have allowed me to explore opportunities outside the realm of music.
What about your long-term and short-term goals? And how you envision your personal and professional growth in the coming years?
Next year, I have an extensive tour with Romesh Ranganathan, covering the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. I'm also continuing to collaborate with the iconic hip-hop artist Eve, an iconic Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist. We have an upcoming show London next week, which we're currently fine-tuning. The most significant aspect for me is consistently creating those euphoric moments for people on the dance floor.
Looking into the long term, my goals revolve around continuing to do what I love and enjoying every moment of it. When you're truly passionate about your work, it doesn't feel like work at all. Moreover, I want to give back. I run a DJ agency, and we're nurturing the next generation of DJs, providing them with the opportunities and guidance that we weren’t fortunate to have. Our aim is to make their journey smoother and help them achieve even greater success.
What advice would you like to offer to aspiring artists looking to break into the industry?
A valuable piece of advice that applies to life in general is the importance of perseverance. Even when pursuing something that appears challenging, it's crucial not to surrender, particularly in creative fields where you may encounter obstacles and naysayers who doubt your abilities, often due to their limited understanding of the field. In such moments, maintaining your determination and continuing to work diligently is key. Upholding a commitment to producing high-quality content and treating others with respect are essential aspects of this journey.
However, the most vital aspect is to maintain your forward momentum in everything you do. Dedicate yourself to performing every task to the best of your ability, as you never know who might be observing or when your next breakthrough opportunity will arise. In this way, you can give your all to your pursuits and increase your chances of success.
