All set for a journey of rave, trance, rock and traditional music, which forms the new mix acknowledged as Asian Underground, Kary's club, Flight to 90601, will hold jam sessions every Wednesday starting from December 6.

Excerpts from a conversation with Upasana Pande:

How did you become a DJ?
I requested several known DJs to let me train under them, but they refused to train a female. Instead, they questioned me on how I would handle late hours and manage unruly crowds. I somehow got the feeling they were insecure about the idea of a female DJ entering their domain. Mind you, they don't feel bothered by a female DJ from Mumbai or Goa performing in Delhi, but were apprehensive about having a competitor right here. So, I became all the more determined to become a DJ.

Where did do your training?
I was trained by Mr Arun Saxena, who has a studio in Sarojini Nagar. I learnt the ropes of handling a sound console here and worked for about five months, doing about 15-16 parties, without any salary. I then found a job at a club called Temptation at Paharganj. There, I conducted jam sessions from 10 am into the wee hours of the night. I quit to take up a job in Goa, after working there for a year.

How did the idea of having your own entertainment club come into being?
In Goa, I worked for a club called Extreme in Panjim. The music I played was appreciated, and it was then that I decided to have my own club. My music would be different. It would be a loop that is a mix of Punjabi pop with rave or trance. I conducted a marketing survey for 20 days in the north and south campus. The response was overwhelming. My father arranged a loan using which I rented office space at Satya Niketan and bought some equipment like a mixer and an entire console. What I required now was a venue, but the hotels did not respond favourably. Finally, Utopia Club agreed to host the show.

Why was Wednesday the chosen day for the event?
This too was based on the marketing survey. Students showed maximum preference for Wednesdays, as it was considered the most lean and un-happening day.

What will the event be like?
We are emptying the pool and making it into the dancing floor. There will be an entry fee of Rs 150 per couple. We will make the jam sessions exciting by holding various contests and I also hope to play different kinds of music to keep the crowds coming.

How did your family react to this change in career?
Initially, they were totally against it. I used to run away to practise and was reprimanded several times. When I finally landed a job, they calmed down. In fact, they started supporting and encouraging me.

Did you face any problems while working on this concept?
I got several threatening calls from other DJs, mostly male ones. Some even turned up at my place to scare me off. But my father encouraged me to stay on.

Why have you named your club Flight to 90601?
I read somewhere that by the year 90601, the entire world will die. But music is immortal and never dies, so I named my club Flight to 90601.