Psytaraa: Into the Pulse

If you’ve heard Psytaraa on the decks, you know it’s not just music—it’s motion. It's my intention. It’s presence. Born Ozzy, but better known by his stage name, Psytaraa, the Dhaka-based DJ brings a sound shaped by global festival roots, psychedelic subcultures, and over a decade of personal transformation through music. His journey—from Goa trance awakenings to playing international psy gatherings to shaping Dhaka’s peak-time techno circuit—isn’t just about chasing sound. It’s about creating .

“My music journey began in the 90s,” he says, “surrounded by audio cassettes and CDs that shaped my earliest listening habits.” From Pink Floyd and Jim Morrison to Pantera and Tool, his foundation was always expansive. But everything shifted when he experienced his first rave in Malaysia, followed by a pilgrimage to Goa. “That was the turning point.,” he recalls. “I immersed myself in the many subgenres of psytrance and became involved in initiatives across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.”

By the time he debuted as Psytaraa at PsyMongol in 2016, a new chapter had already begun—one rooted in Bangladesh, but deeply connected to a wider global circuit.

Rhythm as Ritual

Today, Psytaraa’s sets are defined by basslines that don’t just thump—they roll, build, and spiral. “As a psychedelic artist, my sound is defined by depth, drive, and intention,” he says. “Each set is built to create a euphoric atmosphere—where tension, release, and emotion unfold naturally over time.”

It’s not just a mix. It’s a story.

Every groove, every build, every drop is a deliberate step forward—crafted to dissolve boundaries between crowd and artist. “I want people to feel like they’ve stepped into a shared journey,” he says. “The goal is to fully immerse the listener, letting the music build euphoric spaces where movement becomes instinct and the mind can let go.”

His sets are hypnotic. Peak-time techno fused with psychedelic structure. Layered, driving, immersive. A product of global experience—but sharpened with regional depth.

 

 

A Language of Sound

His influences span continents and genres. “One of the earliest figures to leave a strong mark on me was Jim Morrison,” he says. “But I’ve also found inspiration in Pink Floyd, Tool, King Crimson, Bob Marley, Tinariwen, and Gorillaz.”

What they all share is a devotion to atmosphere—a trait Psytaraa carries into every show. “Life experiences are a huge influence on my sound and sets,” he says. “I see each set as a reflection of my journey, inviting the audience to feel those stories through sound.”

His creative process? “A continuous, immersive journey where sound, energy, and intention meet on the dancefloor.”

A Culture in Motion

Psytaraa isn’t just part of Bangladesh’s electronic music scene—he’s helped build it. “One of the biggest challenges in shaping my identity as an artist was that my original sound came from Psytrance,” he explains. “At the time, the genre was largely unfamiliar here, and the rave culture had not yet evolved.”

Instead of pushing against a closed door, he waited—refining, exploring, expanding. “I chose patience,” he says. He started blending in Progressive, Tech House, and Techno while preserving the core of Psytaraa’s hypnotic DNA. Over time, this opened up space for deeper sounds and wider audiences.

“I see the future of electronic music culture as bright, dynamic, and full of momentum,” he says. “The scene continues to expand, with more listeners, ravers, organizers, and artists joining every year.”

The shift is undeniable. “Events are becoming more ambitious. The quality of DJs has grown significantly. More artists are stepping into original music and live expression.”

And Psytaraa is right in the middle of it—head down, decks hot.

Continuum, Koh Tean, and What’s Next

This year, Psytaraa represents Bangladesh at Continuum, a 24-hour psychedelic gathering on Koh Tean, off the coast of Thailand. “It brings together a fully international lineup,” he says, visibly proud. “I’m truly proud to represent Bangladesh and our growing scene on such a platform.”

He’s also preparing to release original music and collaborate with more local artists. “The journey continues—deeper, wider, and into the unknown.”

 

Awarded, Not Defined

Psytaraa’s performance at Arka Fashion Week Winter 2025 was more than a gig—it was a moment. “Arka Fashion Week has played a key role in helping me connect with a younger generation of listeners,” he says. “Many of them are new to the music and the culture, while others are still too young to attend our events. Through this platform, I’ve been able to reach beyond the usual dancefloor.”

The impact was cemented when he received the Best Music Artist award at the event. “That made the experience even more meaningful,” he says.

Arka as Portal

“Arka is more than a platform,” he says. “It’s a portal.” For Psytaraa, Arka isn’t just a venue or a stage—it’s a crossroads of creative energy. “It bridges stories that are often overlooked and creates a dialogue between artist and audience that’s intimate, layered, and honest.”

He describes it like a living organism. “A place where fashion, sound, and identity collide. It’s where queerness, softness, rage, and tenderness all exist in the same breath.”

The Set That Changed Everything

When asked about a moment that felt “bigger than music,” his answer comes fast. “New Year’s Eve, at Metanoia by Rabbithouse. I felt real love from the crowd that night.”

It wasn’t about technique. It was about trust—an exchange of energy that can’t be faked.

 

 

Final Frequency

Psytaraa’s journey continues. From Bangkok to Dhaka, Goa to Koh Samui, his sound is a vessel. It bends genres. It rewrites expectations. But more than anything—it brings people together.

“In the world of electronic music, community is everything,” he says. “When communities connect, something larger than all of us is formed—a living, breathing ecosystem of sound and emotion.”

And that’s what Psytaraa does best. He doesn’t just play music. He steers the current.