Introducing ... Mantra (Indra Khera)
Mantra (@dj.mantra) is more than a DJ—she's a cultural force within drum & bass. With her unique mixing style and unwavering commitment to inclusivity within the art form, she has helped define the genre’s present—and shape its future.
Mantra wears: Amiel S-Strike Geo-Merged Tech Black
Photography: James Rees, @james_re
Location: Corsica Studios.
SWC: What gets you out of bed in the morning and keeps you pushing forward creatively?
Mantra: There’s always a tune I want to make that’s just out of reach. I can feel the mood and energy of it but need to buckle down, experiment and graft away in order to try and get close to it. I hope that feeling always stays with me forever, as frustrating as it can be, the thought of getting close to it is so exciting. The creative carrot dangling just out reach.
SWC: Jungle and Drum & Bass have influenced so many genres over the years. Where do you see it pushing things musically now?
Mantra: I think genres have become much more fluid which is great. When I was coming up it was extremely tribal in the sense you had your fixed crews and there was very little cross over with other genres. These days you have Fabio & Grooverider selling out the Royal Albert Hall with a classical orchestra, Nia Archives on her own amazing wave selling out world tours - it’s huge, I love to see it!
For me the small basement club with a booming sound system will always be where my heart is as a DJ. I’m loving experimenting with jungle techno again, I dropped a full on techno track in my set last week and don’t think the crowd fully clocked which was wicked. I wouldn't have had the confidence to do that a few years ago. I mixed it quite quick with some breaks tho ha! As a DJ these are the spaces I thrive in and I’m loving experimenting with different tempos/ genres when I play extended sets. Where it all goes from here who knows. I just hope the music stays central and those pushing it are doing so with authenticity and respect.
SWC: We never thought we’d see the jungle/drum & bass scene we loved so much make such a strong return – especially in a more soulful, intelligent and discerning way, much like the one that first caught our attention. How does it feel to be part of that revival and bring it to both new and long-time audiences?
Mantra: I’ve been running Rupture with my partner Double O for 19 years this year. We really don’t spend time thinking about the part we’ve played or how/ if we’ve shaped the current jungle scene. We just put one foot in front of the other and follow our intuition. We’ve followed the same ethos from the start which is to always bring emerging artists through by giving them opportunities, respecting the pioneers and artists who have shaped our foundation, making sure the line ups are diverse and the music exciting.
SWC: There's been a real decline in the London club scene over the last few years. How has that affected the community around jungle and drum & bass, and what do you think can be done to keep that connection alive?
Mantra: Living in London is hard and the lack of protection for venues is shameful but this is our city and we can’t let the bastards grind us down! It’s so important to stay optimistic and to be creative when looking for spaces to hold parties as there are still plenty of brilliant venues here. The vibe is as connected as ever. Dancing, community and togetherness is for so many of us our lifeline. Dancing is the perfect tonic to the pressures and stresses of life - whether that be witnessing the relentless genocide in Gaza, the financial strain of living in London or the general overwhelm that so many of us feel existentially - when you’re with like minded folk who understand all this and also feel the music as deeply as you it’s an incredibly healing experience.