Govinda On How His Music Fuels A Spiritual Experience

Govinda stopped by to chat about his artist journey, the inspiration behind his music, and what it’s like to step into a world of his sound.

It’s rare to encounter an artist who effortlessly blends tradition and experimentation into an immersive soundscape that feels profoundly spiritual. Govinda, a classically trained violinist-turned-electronic-producer, does exactly that. Drawing on his Eastern influences and the essence of the gypsy violin, he transforms classical techniques into richly layered electronic productions that transport listeners into a mystical realm.

Govinda is the alter ego of producer and composer Shane Madden. He took his name from a life-changing realization during a “Hare Govinda” devotional Hindu chant. His mission is to create music that awakens the mind and elevates purpose, offering immersive journeys where sound, body, and spirit converge. Through every song, he channels the meditative essence of his inner world into a ritual of sound and presence.

Having performed at major North American festivals like Coachella, Lightning in a Bottle, Shambhala, Sonic Bloom, and SXSW, Govinda continues to bring his electrifying sound to audiences worldwide. His music defies conventional genre boundaries, inviting listeners from all backgrounds into a shared, sacred experience. Most recently, he released the single “Faerie Joos,” which fuses psychedelic effects with transcendent, chopped vocals, evoking a sense of enlightenment through sound.

We caught up with this trailblazing artist to explore his roots in the scene, the unique influences that shaped his music, and his artist journey. Dive into his exclusive mix and read on for the full conversation!

Stream EDMID Guest Mix 490 || Govinda on SoundCloud:

Can you share a bit about where you grew up, and how your background first shaped your relationship with music?

I grew up in Austin, Texas in a Syrian-Irish family. I was always inspired by Eastern cultures and had a specific love for the gypsy violin sounds. I picked up the violin at age eight and went on to study music composition at the University of Texas in Austin. It was during that time that I was first exposed to electronic music and beats, and I fell in love with music production.

What led you to create Govinda as an alter ego, and how did that identity give you the freedom to explore electronic music in a new way?

I was in a spiritual human energy training in Vancouver one summer in college and had an incredible experience in a group meditation. We all did a breathing exercise, listening to chants and mantras. During a “Hare Govinda” chant, I had an epiphany that I needed to bring music to the world to elevate consciousness. I knew it wouldn’t be through the classical world, so I took the name Govinda from that experience, and the project was born.

What was it like studying classical violin at the University of Texas? Do you remember a specific moment, class, or project when you truly fell in love with electronic music production and realized it would become part of your path?

I started to realize I was not going to be quite good enough to be one of the .01% who could make it as a solo artist in the classical realm. At the same time, I was listening to Portishead and Massive Attack and falling in love with the new sounds being made. I bought some software, smoked some weed, and began to carve a new musical path. It seemed like a good idea to blend the violin with the electronic sounds. No one was doing that in the early ’90s, so it was exciting to pioneer a new sound.

As you started exploring your Middle Eastern roots, your style seemed to open up in such a beautiful way. What kinds of sounds first caught your attention? Were there particular instruments, rhythms, or traditions that immediately spoke to you and found their way into your music?

I was always inspired by Indian music, but my sounds tended to come out more Middle Eastern, since I guess it’s in my blood. Over the years, the music has morphed and evolved as a reflection of my environment and community, but the pervasive gypsy violin sound woven into the beats has always remained the unique identifier of my sound.

Your music feels psychedelic, exotic, and incredibly diverse. It takes people on a journey! How did you naturally arrive at this blend of psychedelic, global influences, and electronic production?

In the mid 1990s, Govinda started as a band. It was kind of a psychedelic jam band. I played violin and sang to mostly improvised jams. Over the years, playing many festivals all over the world inspired the evolution of my music. It began to focus on engineering more energy and bass production. The show eventually evolved into a solo production and violin act. I always included a visual element, like dancers or performers, as well.

Your live show is a multi-sensory experience with mesmerizing vocals, live projections, Romani-style ambient elements, and your violin. How do you translate your music into something so visual and experiential for such large audiences?

My music has always come out sounding a little left of center, but I do try to keep it rooted in a sound that pop culture can relate to. I think having the live violin element allows people to engage in the performance without needing to truly understand the specific genre. The performers and visuals also create a very engaging experience for an audience of any age or musical preference.

Out of all those festival experiences, is there one that has stayed with you the most? What made it so special?

I was blessed enough to play at the Envision Festival. Being in the jungle and performing with some of the best circus and fire performers in the world, with thousands of art and music lovers dancing to the sounds, was truly magical. I felt the love so profoundly, and it fueled many years of music to come.

Finally, your music feels like a story that unfolds in audio. If you had to describe the sound of Govinda as a journey, what would it feel like from beginning to end?

As an artist who is inspired by my community and experiences, I have always allowed the music to evolve over the years. But the music will always be a journey in sound that is born from a world of electronically enhanced audio, pushing the auditory boundaries and breaking down genre boundaries. Each show, the audience can start the journey captivated by the seductive violin melodies and hypnotic beats. Dancing together can be a spiritual experience for all of us, but especially for me.