The Coachella music festival is a great thing for music fans who live in the Coachella Valley—even if those music fans don’t get anywhere near the Empire Polo Club during the festival—because a bunch of local venues go all-out to present great events and musicians during Coachella. For one example, check out BarChella, the two-weekend series of musical events being put on by Bar (340 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-537-7337; facebook.com/barwastaken). On Friday, April 12 (at 8 p.m.), and Saturday, April 13 (at 9 p.m.), BarChella will feature the “simplicity, style and groove” of DJ Mister Blaqk. Mister Blaqk’s real name is Sahil Kumar Dhingra, and the 23-year-old Anaheim native and current resident of downtown Los Angeles works in importing and exporting electronics when he’s not doing music. Learn more about Mister Blaqk at www.facebook.com/misterblaqkofficial and www.soundcloud.com/misterblaqk.
What was the first concert you attended?
The Hanson Brothers.
What was the first album you owned?
A Reggae Gold compilation featuring Sean Paul.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Bands that make her dance … ha ha.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Country music.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Ace of Base.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Any soulful R&B love-making song.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Pacha Ibiza, in Spain.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“I Get So High,” from “You’re Making Me High,” by Toni Braxton.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Usher and Ryan Leslie. When Usher released 8701, I was mind-blown by the way he infused R&B, hip-hop and dance music within an album all based around love. I like to put emotion into my performances, because it is a reflection of my strong personality.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Michael Jackson: “What was the inspiration behind your first solo album, Got to Be There?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“In da Club,” 50 Cent.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Duets: The Final Chapter, The Notorious B.I.G.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Breach, “Jack” (original mix). (Scroll down to hear it.)