Say Hello to India's Music Makers
Spanning across genres, this young lot is making the world dance to their tunes! Meet some of the country’s most talented maestros—singers, songwriters, musicians, and more—frontlining a new era for the Indian music industry.
Spanning across genres, this young lot is making the world dance to their tunes! Meet some of the country’s most talented maestros—singers, songwriters, musicians, and more—frontlining a new era for the Indian music industry.
11
“I have been playing the guitar and writing songs since college. I began recording songs during my corporate job, which I eventually quit to pursue music full-time in 2012. And that’s where I met my band members—they were looking to do their own thing, too, and we clicked instantly. We’ve released two albums as a band since. As a songwriter, my goal is to write songs from all walks of life. The encounters of my life play a major role in shaping the music we create. To sum it up, it is ‘Indian music of its own kind’, and I hope that’s how it is remembered.
We played our first stadium gig last year at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. We were one of the opening acts for Katy Perry and Dua Lipa at the One Plus music festival. It was amazing to be a part of the whole shebang with a huge stage, massive production, and a sea of fans. I’d like to believe that was when we played our best set to date. My favourite compliment is when people tell me I have amazing hair—because that’s what takes most work and care! But on a serious note, I am fortunate to make a living doing what I love, and extremely grateful for the love that people shower on me and my art.”
22
“I grew up listening to my dad’s collection of Vinyl records (I’m still hanging onto them) of the likes of Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Sandy Nelson, and more. A lot of those artists would put pictures of their recording sessions on the back covers or inlays, and I’d daydream about how exciting it must be to be in a space like that! Although the present-day culture has changed, from big recording spaces to bedroom music studios, I am glad I get to work in those kind of spaces every now and then.
My music is ‘one, big, fat, blunt of rock music’, in Hindi. Performing for our fans all over the country is an extremely rewarding experience for me! I remember playing in Chennai not too long ago, and it started raining heavily—the kind that makes you run for cover—but the crowd refused to budge! They sang along even louder while we played our hearts out. It was priceless! Once, after one of our gigs, someone told me how our music has helped her overcome depression and the thought of ending her life. That was really touching... Then there are the crazy ones, like this one time, someone said, ‘Sahil, if your name were Larry, I’d ask you to marry me!’.”
33
“I have huge respect for maestros like Coldplay, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Maroon 5, and Sia. One of the most special moments for me was when AR Rahman sir re-Tweeted a song I had posted, calling it ‘beautiful’.
My first stint with music was as a four-year-old, carrying my Casio SA21 to school. I could feel everyone looking at me while I tried to make it to my classroom, clutching hard on to it as it was slipping out of the box. I had opted for music as my extra curricular activity, and it was my first day. But sadly, my teacher didn’t turn up that day, so I didn’t even end up using it!
I put out what I feel deeply about—I try to be honest about the stuff I create. It’s a reflection of my world-view as well as feelings. Music allows you to be yourself fearlessly and that, in turn, is what makes you honest as an artist. The funnest part about what I do is that you can just laze around under the pretence of finding inspiration! The only thing I don’t quite understand is people’s obsession—even in the music industry—with the ‘views’ one gets, instead of the quality of the content.”
44
“For as long as I can remember, I would wake up to my mother’s aalap. That was, probably, my introduction to music. I think the music I make now can be best described as exciting—when I create a track or a song, it should simply excite me. And frankly, it comes quite naturally to me; I just have to hit the right notes, and the whole process feels thrilling...the melody needs to strike me, and it will take an automatic lead then.
In 2018, I performed at the NH7 Weekender. I will never forget that gig. I even got my parents up on the stage with me! It all felt so unreal, and is perhaps the reason why I am here today. My music and my life are pretty much aligned. I have learnt so much about myself because of the music I create. I learn every day through it! I just feel the industry needs to be more uplifting towards artists. There is so much talent out there, but not enough people to actually support them. That bothers me. The industry should also be more inclusive, and less elitist. It’s time for more opportunities to come through, and for everybody to understand that no-one ‘owns’ music.”
55
“My mother used to recite the Lalita Sahasranama every day—so some of my earliest memories of music are the Sanskrit chants.
My music is a blend of the East and West. My musical gurus range from Bob Marley to AR Rahman, and Lauryn Hill. And I try to blend the different cultures together.
The last show I was able to perform before the pandemic was at the latest Crossblade Music Festival in Pune. I wasn’t feeling well before the show and was close to pulling out, but when I heard the crowd, I kicked it into the fifth gear! I gave it my all on that stage...it was certainly one of my most special concerts!
I think music is subjective, but it is a universal language that connects us, no matter where you’re from. And as a musician, you get to meet people from all walks of life and connect with them over music. But I have an issue with the ‘keyboard warriors’ who are mushrooming lately—the growth of social media has given the Internet trolls a voice...so that has been a lesson in learning how to focus on the positivity of the music industry. But people enjoying my art is my greatest compliment. Just to hear people sing the words back to me at shows is a huge compliment.”
66
“I would like to believe that my music is an ode to my extremely emotional personality! Being a musician makes me feel like I’ll always be in school, and I can put my overly curious brain to some lifelong use! Educating my ears, developing my skills, learning to turn emotions into songs, and of course, never forgetting to gargle before I sleep—there’s always so much to look forward to.
As a performer, my first gig was an open-mic session in Delhi at the age of 14...it’ll always be special, because there was no looking back post that! Now, every time I catch someone singing a tune of mine, it melts me right there. As a listener, I truly believe it’s the honest artists that bring joy to my days. So my ultimate playlist of the songs that make me the happiest would feature the entire Industry Games EP by Chika. Some other artists I admire are James Blake, Fink, Rosalía, and Fakear.”
77
“Everything I write or create has a part of my experiences, temperament, and quirks in it, both good and bad. So, my music is almost always directly proportional to my state of mind. I’d term it as an extension of me, a fragment of me that I may otherwise find difficult to express in regular conversations.
My first legit memory of music is singing old Hindi classics on the radio as a five-year-old. My parents would sit for hours trying to get through to the busy lines of the radio channel so I could participate in an open-to-the-audience programme every Friday night.
For me, the best part about being a musician is the unpredictability of it. Each concert, each recording, each produced song feels like a new job to wake up to every day. And I guess the one thing that really gets to me about it is the sleep-deprivation that comes with all the travel. I’m moody, and may be not typically nice when underslept!
After turning professional, performing at the O2 Arena, London, with my childhood idol, AR Rahman, is an experience I’ll cherish to my grave! There was, what appeared to be, a sea of people that night, and I got to perform my song from Mani Ratnam’s OK Kanmani live for the first time!”
88
“My earliest memory of music is singing with my mother as a little girl—she’d play tabla on the steering wheel of the car and I’d sing! Actually, I’d even do that with my grandmother, after her morning pooja, before the school bus would come to pick me. I’ve been defined by experimentation and electronic dance music...but my roots lie in being a singer and songwriter, penning poetically-driven melodies. I love losing all sense of time and awareness, and just merging with music. And I feel the friendships and energy that develop through music are cosmic...charged with the stuff that creates worlds.
Sometimes, when little girls come to my gigs and I see the light in their eyes, that they want to be free and loud and see me as an example of what that might look like—I love that feeling! Over the years, I have also loved having the honour of so many women attending my shows...the rising number of women, who just show up with all their sex and power and vibe, has been a dream.”
99
“The most interesting thing about being a musician is to be able to be free yourself and express on a stage in a way that is difficult to do in real life! And having people connect with you when you do that.
My music is an exploration in blending different genres that have inspired and influenced me, like Carnatic, Jazz, Blues, Soul, R&B, Funk, and folk music. I like to find spaces in which these can all seamlessly merge with each other.
Once, someone told me that my voice sounds like Esperanza Spalding’s; I’ve even got Billie Holiday—those were both such huge compliments.
The only thing that I don’t appreciate about the music industry is that it is a constant struggle, and musicians aren’t always paid enough for their work or performances. The hustle for survival here is real, and it can sometimes get in the way of the creative process that fuels our art.”
1010
“I focus more on pop music...on things that are inspired by my life and that talk about my personality. But there is also some common ground—because whatever I go through as a 22-year-old today, people of the same age may have experienced it, too. In fact, every time I’ve performed at a college so far, it has been extra special—that’s the age group I relate to the most, since I just graduated a year ago myself, you know?!
In India, I feel like pop is not given much importance—anything independent is not given its due. But I’m happy the industry is growing, even though it’s still not where it should ideally be. It is crucial for the music industry to have a proper, holistic existence, so I think it should be separated from the film industry. It’s all largely amalgamated right now.
As a musician, I admire a lot of artists, and try to learn from everyone! But some of the famous names who I think are absolutely amazing are Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Rosalía. I also love Arijit Singh, Shreya [Ghoshal] ma’am and Jonita Gandhi.”
1111
“During this pandemic, multiple people have commented on my social media handles, saying that the best thing about their lockdown has been discovering my music and that it has made their quarantine better! My music is a blend of Indian Folk and Classical music, with contemporary Pop and Electronic sounds. You could call it the love child of AR Rahman and Diplo. As a songwriter, composer and producer, I try to create a vivid tapestry of sounds, using the diverse experience I’ve accumulated over the years.
When I was five, my parents bought me a tiny Casio keyboard. It had a demo button, which played ‘Wake me up’ by George Michael. I didn’t know what that tune was back then, but that melody has been etched in my subconscious forever.
As a musician, I find the ability to create out of thin air—lyrics, melodies, arrangements—fascinating and empowering! But the lack of infrastructure for independent music In India, and how everything has been dominated by film music bothers me. Also, that, sadly, the focus on vanity metrics—like ‘X’ million plays—takes precedence over talent and quality of music.”
1212
“The music I make is typically Gen Z Pop. To me, the best thing about being a musician is that you get to travel the world for free...and are paid to do what you love! Also, watching people sing a song you made in your bedroom is crazy-fun! But there are downsides to the business as well. Like the unhealthy competition that exists here.
One of my favourite musicians is The Weeknd. These days, I’m listening to his new album, After Hours, on loop. As a performer myself, Tomorrowland 2019 is one of my most memorable gigs so far. One, because I sang my debut single Tere Bina for the first time! Second, the fact that I was representing my country at one of the biggest stages in the world—an absolute dream come true.”
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