P.A. DEEPAK ON BEING A.R. RAHMAN AND RICKY KEJ'S ENGINEER BEHIND THE BOARDS

With the audio engineer's work on Kej's 'Break of Dawn' album up for a Grammy this week, the Vishakhapatnam-born producer talks about past projects, masterclasses and more

- By ANURAG TAGAT

A seasoned sound engineer in Indian film music for more than two decades, P.A. Deepak has been a part of two Grammy-winning projects so far - composer A.R. Rahman's Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack that won in 2010 and composer-producer Ricky Kej and flautist Wouter Kellerman's Winds of Samsara which clinched the Best New Age album award in 2015 and a third one is coming up this week.

Deepak’s work as mixing and mastering engineer on Kej’s latest album Break of Dawn from 2024 is up once again for Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album at the upcoming Grammys, which takes place on Feb. 2, 2025. While a win could mean a lot for Kej considering Break of Dawn is his solo album, it would put add another honor for Deepak. In the past, the producer has been recognized by the Recording Academy for his work as surround mix engineer on Winds of Samsara in 2015.

In an interview with Rolling Stone India, Deepak talks about working with the likes of Rahman and Kej, his favorite studios to go into, how he combats ear fatigue and conducting masterclasses.

Excerpts:

Rolling Stone India: What was it like working on Break of Dawn and especially with someone who’s very well-versed in production as Ricky Kej? What changed compared to the previous times you’ve worked together?

P.A. Deepak: Working on Break of Dawn with Ricky Kej was an incredible experience. His exceptional production skills and passion for meaningful music aligned perfectly with my mixing approach.

Break of Dawn marked a distinct shift from his previous album, Divine Tides, which featured Stewart Copeland. This new album required a more nuanced approach, focusing on smooth textures that minimize distraction, creating an immersive meditation experience.