SPOTLIGHT: ENGRAM
Published April 30, 2025
On Friday, May 2, ENGRAM hosts a special edition in Red Box featuring four live-performing artists and a VJ creating visuals in real time to match the music. We caught up with vanpana, the mind behind the project, to learn what inspired it and what to expect on Friday.
What inspired you to start the ENGRAM project, and how did the name come about?
ENGRAM started when I was invited to host a monthly radio show for AAJA Music in London. I was driven to create a space that stayed true to the raw, driving underground sounds that define my style. It naturally evolved as I started collaborating with DJ friends who share that same energy. Over time, it became clear that ENGRAM could be way more than just a personal project, it could be a platform to support artists who are truly pushing their craft to the edge.
The name ENGRAM comes from the idea of leaving a permanent imprint, a trace burned into memory. That’s how I see the music and performances we build: intense, and unforgettable.
What can the audience expect from the different artists performing at Culture Box on Friday, May 2?
For this special edition in Red Box, the concept evolves into ENGRAM*live, since every artist will perform live, crafting their unique sound in real time. Headlining the Red Box, Evvolita delivers fast, groove-driven energy inspired by ’90s hard techno. Setting the stage is the act “vanpana x kølksen” with their dark rhythmic exploration with raw improvisation, while Delta V is closing the night, ensuring the experience ends on a high, pushing the energy to its peak. No pre-recorded material, just pure expression in a one-of-a-kind setting.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of the ENGRAM project?
Looking ahead, I want to continue building ENGRAM as a platform for underground sounds, with new layers added on top. The core will always be the music and, in my vision, this can be enhanced by bringing in a wide range of local talent from other audio-visual fields that fit that intense energy. I want to collaborate with more international artists as well in order to create a true cultural exchange and bring fresh perspectives into the mix. As much as I’m about pushing underground music forward, it’s also about crafting unique, memorable moments that step outside the usual formula. It would be amazing if this journey would converge into releasing a compilation of tracks that capture the essence of the concept.
How do you see your role in the local electronic music scene, and what do you hope to contribute?
Through ENGRAM, I see my role centered around advancing talent and crafting a space where artists, dancers, and listeners align with the sound and energy I resonate with. I think it’s about having fun, being authentic, connecting with other people with the same interests and curate spaces where passions and intensity come first. Ultimately, I would love to leave my mark by contributing with experiences where the diverse crowd can be connected with the artists, get lost in the sound and constantly fuel the scene and keep it alive.
What are you most looking forward to about your own performance on Friday, May 2?
I’m really looking forward to the unpredictable moments that come with our set. Since it’s based on controlled randomness, the grooves we create in the moment can never be repeated, no matter how similar our setup is. Finding those happy accidents that get people moving on the dance floor is what excites me the most, especially with a night like this. It’s exciting to create the first wave of energy and set the stage for what’s coming with Evvolita and Delta V.
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