From Sri Lanka to the Booth: SVP’s Percussive Path to the Miami Underground
SVP
This week, The Groove Palace welcomes SVP — a Sri Lankan-born, Miami-based DJ and producer fusing percussive tech house with global groove. Classically trained and raised on a wide range of genres, SVP brings a versatile edge to his sets, weaving together minimal, disco, garage, and breakbeat influences with a sound that’s distinctly his own.
With upcoming performances at Fuller Fest and TomorrowLand Miami, plus a wave of unreleased tracks getting crowd-tested love across the city, SVP is quickly becoming a standout in South Florida’s underground. Now, he delivers an exclusive mix for The Groove Palace — a high-energy set packed with personality, precision, and plenty of percussion. Stream it now on The Groove Palace SoundCloud.
Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Fort Myers, Florida, Sachi—better known as SVP—grew up with music in his DNA. He learned piano at age 7, picked up trumpet and French horn in school, and lived in a house where sound was constant. But it wasn’t until he moved to Miami for college that his musical direction found its groove.
“I’ve always loved all kinds of music—rap, R&B, jazz, you name it,” he says. “But when I discovered house music at college, everything clicked.”
His first rave? A surprise Shiba San set in Fort Lauderdale. That night changed everything. SVP dove deeper, discovering John Summit, Michael Bibi, Marco Carola, Dennis Cruz—artists whose dynamic blends of minimal and tech house inspired his own evolution.
Blurring the Lines Between Genres
SVP’s sets don’t stick to a formula—and neither does his production. He describes his sound as “percussive, bass-heavy tech house/minimal at its core,” but quick to clarify that it doesn’t stop there. “I don’t limit myself to one genre or sound. My sets and productions bring in garage, electro, disco, breakbeats—whatever I’m feeling in that moment.”
This genre-fusing spirit makes his sets feel unpredictable and alive. It’s also why they connect: they aren’t trying to fit a mold—they’re trying to move a crowd.
Finding His Place in Miami’s Scene
SVP’s journey from DJing frat parties to opening at venues like Treehouse and La Rouge helped build the foundation for where he is today. But it was moving to Miami that gave him the runway to evolve.
“Miami is ahead of the game. It’s a melting pot. You can be surrounded by people who really know the music—and if you’re serious, it forces you to level up.”
Still, he acknowledges the scene isn’t perfect. “There’s so much talent here, but also a lot of self-serving energy. That’s why I focus on surrounding myself with people who are in it for the right reasons.”
A Producer Shaped by Mood, Not Metrics
Though SVP made his name DJing, it’s his production that’s now taking center stage. He’s been working on new tracks and road-testing them in his recent sets—where, he says, they’ve been getting strong reactions.
“I make different kinds of tracks depending on where my head is at,” he explains. “Some are disco-influenced, others more minimal and groovy. Each one is a snapshot of my creative state.”
His process is intuitive, rooted in feel rather than perfectionism. “If it sounds good to you—if it makes your head bop—don’t overthink it. Move on.”
On the Dancefloor, With the Crowd
SVP’s DJing philosophy is simple: play like a fan.
“If I’m up there dancing and vibing, it’s almost a guarantee that the crowd will feel the same way. I like to feel like I’m part of the crowd—not above them.”
This mindset shows up in his recordbox too. His USBs are meticulously organized with playlists for every scenario—peak time bangers, opening grooves, closers, backups—so he can respond in real time without scrambling.
What’s Next for SVP
2025 is shaping up to be a breakout year. He’s debuting at Fuller Music Fest on May 17 and TomorrowLand on May 31. He’s sitting on a batch of unreleased tracks—and while he’s in no rush to drop everything, he’s definitely getting ready to show the world what he’s been cooking.
For SVP, it’s all about pacing and intentionality. “I don’t want to release music just to release it. I want my discography to feel curated—like each track represents who I was at that time.”
Final Word of Advice
“Be consistent, and be genuine,” SVP says. “If you’re putting in the work for the right reasons, and you’re being yourself, people can feel that. The hard work will pay off with time.”
He’s not just talking about staying busy — he means staying rooted. In a scene where clout often overshadows craft, SVP believes that authenticity is what builds true longevity. “You can’t fake it forever,” he adds. “The people who last are the ones who are in it for the love, not the attention.”
That mindset has guided his rise so far — and it’s what continues to shape the music he makes, the connections he nurtures, and the impact he hopes to leave behind.