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Anything but ‘ratchet’

Incredible DJ duo sits down with A&E for exclusive interview

The origins of DJ duo Ratchet Cat are almost as epic as their stage name. Eeshaan Sachatheva and Ishaan Chaudhary, two current fourth-year students in the Commerce and Engineering schools, respectively, happened to meet up in New Delhi two summers ago and kick-started their career together after discovering their shared passion for music. During the past couple years, this DJ duo has played up to four shows in one week at various bars, Greek social events, birthday parties and block parties. Last weekend, the two men officially debuted with the name Ratchet Cat at an event at Virginia Tech.

Arts & Entertainment spoke to Eeshaan and Ishaan shortly before their set on Thursday evening at the Southern.

Arts & Entertainment: What inspired you to start spinning?

Eeshaan Sachatheva: When I first got to U.Va., I bought two huge turntables, and started getting gigs left and right through the upperclassmen I knew. I already had previous experience spinning in high school, but really enjoyed playing at events at U.Va. because a variety of genres are appreciated here. It’s really fun to mix it up during sets.

Ishaan Chaudhary: I was always into producing my own music and didn’t really DJ at all. But while we were hanging out in New Delhi, we realized that our taste in music really complemented one another’s and eventually decided that we would partner up, and it’s going so well since.

AE: What is your favorite event at which you’ve played?

IC: The Colonnade Ball at the Jefferson Theater last semester was sick.

ES: Avicii opened for us, but we only let him play for a little bit, and said absolutely ‘no’ to him playing “Levels.”

AE: Where does music fit in your priorities?

IC: This summer I had an internship lined up with Pepsi, but I rejected it and started doing sound engineering and piano six days a week. I’m currently studying system engineering, but my passion is straight music. After I graduate, I’m going to try to make it by producing my own music. For me, it’s become my top priority.

AE: What’re some challenges you have encountered during your musical career?

ES: My biggest challenge is just the insane amount of gigs that have been requested. I’ve had to fly out to Cali and New York… I went to Ibiza once and made it back for class on Monday — it was incredible!

AE: What’re the next steps for your music career?

ES: Right now we are working with Red Light Management to step it up and create an EDM brand that we can run with, and tonight’s event is the launch party for it.

IC: They work with artists like Damian Marley, Tim McGraw, Pretty Lights, Dave Matthews and Gramatik so having them with us is huge. We want to see and help the evolution of the music scene at U.Va.

AE: What are your hopes for Ratchet Cat during your fourth year?

ES: We hope that everyone will go out and try something new, to look and go to obscure events you’ve never heard of, rather than having a typical night on the Corner or downtown. Charlottesville has a lot to offer, there’s a lot of creative expression waiting to be explored.

IC: It’s our last year, and we want to meet as many more people as we can and throw down with everyone on the dance floor.

AE: If you could play anywhere in the world, at any venue, where would it be and why?

ES: I would throw a party on the Lawn or at Speegee.

IC: The Taj Majal or Buckingham Palace because I know the Queen is a raver at heart.

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