For the longest time, Bollywood has dominated the music scene in our country. Not anymore, though! India’s independent music scene has been on the rise lately and is looking very promising! While Indie bands like Indian Ocean and Silk Route had been in the picture long back and have left our expectations high, there are also a lot of new-age indie bands that deserve a spot or two on your playlist. So here’s a list of Indie bands that all you true blue music lovers should watch out for!
1. The Local Train
An Indian Hindi rock band from Delhi, The Local Train has gone on to achieve massive commercial success since their inception in Chandigarh in 2008. Raman Negi is the vocalist with a voice that is leading the new sound of Hindi Rock. Sahil Sarin, starting at the young age of 5, was destined to be the powerhouse on drums for The Local Train. Paras Thakur is the Lead Guitarist and gives the necessary edge to the band, and Ramit Mehra, the man on a mission, is the bass guitarist and the manager. This boy band is known for their hit singles and edgy music videos, and you can even catch them performing at a Hardrock or Farzi Cafe near you!
2. Madboy Mink
Madboy, Imaad Shah, and Mink, Saba Azad, realized they were into the same things – musically and aesthetically and so they started to jam. Before they even had a band, they were booked for a go. So that’s how this epic indie band came into being. They play high energy dance music with doses disco, cabaret and punk! their music is inspired by vintage dance music but the way they deliver it makes it different. They like to mix the old with the new! They are an energetic duo, and their gigs will make you go all out!
3. A Mutual Question
This four-member boy band from Pune started over a cup of coffee where four music enthusiasts shared their love for coffee. Karan Kumar and his childhood friend, Siddharth Chopra, brother Aviraj Kumar and another friend, Proteesh Ravi are the ones who make up this band. Their genre is instrumental, and they make the kind of music that you can relax and enjoy! Their music can calm your senses. Make it a point to catch their gig if they’re playing in your city!
4. When Chai Met Toast
A four-member band from Kochi, When Chai Met Toast represents the coming together of Indian (chai) and Western (toast) influences in their music. Vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar and guitarist-banjo player Achyuth Jaigopal with Pai Sailesh on drums and keyboardist Palee Francis they define their genre of music as happy combining English folk with eastern roots.
5. Kraken
This Delhi based band offers happy, dance-y music with loud and fast guitars, and a sprinkling of hip-hop influence. With Moses Koul on guitar, Rangarajan Venkatraman on the bass, Reuben Das on the keys or synthesizer, Reet Mukherjee on drums, and Vipul Verma and Shagun Trisal on vocals, this band came together in mid-2014. Their melodic tunes are going to make you want to dance, so be sure to catch them at one of their gigs whenever possible!
6. Five 8
DU’s music scene has given us many unique artists over the last few years. Five 8 is one such band which came together in the music room of Kirori Mal College in 2006-07. Comprising of Adhir Ghosh on guitar, Aveleon Vaz on drums, Steve Peter on the bass, Shiv Ahuja on keys and Robin Mathew on vocals. this band plays rock with funk grooves, rich harmonies and catchy melodies. Delhiites, you can catch them playing at cafes around you, Auro at Aurobindo Market being the main one!
7. The Identity Crisis
The band was formed by school buds and music fanatics- Sharang Sassan and Vidur Hans. The band includes Timson Thomas as lead vocalist, Sharang Sasan on Guitar, Shardul Sassan on Drums, Brennon Denfor on Bass and Vidur Hans on Bass and they all provide the vocals. They blend the music of nature with the elements of electric, Latin, jazz, harp and focus on bringing alive the soul of music. Rock is not just a music genre, but it is music for these guys! Currently, they are in pre-production mode for their new album and are working on their next tour so make sure you catch them live!
8. Easy Wanderlings
Easy Wanderlings, a band of 8 is a musical journal of the members’ cherished memories. They write about soulful conversations, escapades into the majestic wilderness, and of the feelings felt when spending quiet evenings at home. With Sanyanth Norath and Pratika Gopinath on vocals along with Sharad Rao who also plays the electric guitar, Malay Vadalkar playing bass, Nitin Muralikrishna on the keyboard, Siya Ragade on flute Shardul Bapat playing the Violin and Abraham Zachariah on the drums this band started in mid-2015. Their music is a blend of ambient pop, soul, and folk and is quite a treat for the ears!
9. Aswekeepsearching
Hailing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Aswekeepsearching came into being in 2013 and has ever since been turning heads! The band comprises of vocalist and guitarist Uddipan Sarmah, guitarist and keyboardist Shubham Gurung, bassist Bob Alex and drummer Gautam Deb. Currently based in Pune, these guys are a modern-post rock band with some lyrics, and they spread the message of positivity and good times through their songs. They have performed at several notable music festivals and should be on your to watch list!
10. Clown with a Frown
A pop/funk rock band from Bangalore, Clown with a Frown came into being in September 2011. Drawing influences from several artists like Chic, Jamiroquai, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, Steely Dan and others, this band set out to redefine dance music, by revolutionizing sounds from the 70’s disco era. Their music is predominantly a mix of jazz, funk, fusion, R&B, soul, reggae and disco styles blended into a modern pop-rock structure. With almost 10 members and brass instruments in the mix, Clown With A Frown is unlike any other band you’ve listened to in recent times.
11. Ladies’ Compartment
The name probably gave it away, but Ladies’ Compartment is a dynamic all-girls indie music band based out of Mumbai. The name ‘Ladies Compartment’ is a tribute to the daily trials of a working woman in Mumbai, along with a cinematic romanticism of the Mumbai local! (how innovative!). With all the 4 girls on vocals, the band members include Ramya Pothuri on acoustic, Aarifah Rebello on drums, Aditi Ramesh on keys and Nandita V. on bass. and their genre is a mix of American folk, jazz, blues, indie, Carnatic, soul and funk. Feeling the girl power anyone?
12. Parvaaz
A Bangalore based rock band, Parvaaz’s members include Khalid Ahamed and Mir Kashif Iqbal on guitar & vocals with Fidel D’Souza on bass and Sachin Banandur on drums and percussion. You can best describe their music as a blend prog/psychedelic rock with elements of folk and world music. Parvaaz is known for its energetic live gigs and a unique sound! This band you be one you should watch out for and try to catch live!
13. Perfect Strangers India
Combining elements of pop, melodic and hard rock, The Perfect Strangers don’t confine themselves to any genre and play both originals and covers. The strangers include Raphael Emileenaa and Pranav DM -on lead vocals, Debjeet Basu on lead guitar and vocals, Joshua Costa on the keyboard, Prashanth Gnanamuthu on bass guitar and Preran Pramod Gulvady on drums. What gives this band their unique sound is the well-executed instrumental passages and the multi-part vocal harmonies. You must watch out for the Perfect Strangers.
14. Peepal Tree
This Bangalore based brand comprises of Tony Das on guitars, Praveen Biligiri on bass, Sujay Harthi on vocals and Willy Demoz on drums and percussions. The Peepal Tree’s music can be described as Indian melodies sitting on funk grooves with overtones of electronica, and sung in Indian languages. This band has together played more than 1500 concerts globally and have been a part of the Hindi and Kannada movie industries. They are definitely on their way to making it even bigger than they already are and you guys should watch out for them!
15. Pineapple Express
Formerly known as E-Swara project this band was interestingly formed three days before a major music festival in Bangalore to take part in it! And just by the way, they won that competition among 40+ other bands that competed. With 8 members from different parts of the country, they are a progressive fusion band with a mix of electronic, Carnatic, rock, experimental & djent elements. They are known for their high energy live audiovisual experience and a signature songwriting style. If given a chance, you have to attend one of their gigs; we promise you’ll thank us!
Featured Image Source: Facebook/A Mutual Question
