India’s homegrown music scene is on a steady and exciting rise—there are some amazing musicians emerging everyday with something new and never-done-before to offer anyone who is ready to give them a listen. Too bad that most of our Indian youth is too busy listening to commercial rip-offs that leave us with no semblance of what real melody, rhythm and beats that comprise real music. (No, think what you may want, Honey Singh is NOT REAL MUSIC and you can hate on me all you want).
Here’s a list of homegrown Indie bands and musicians so good that that you’ll want to have a separate playlist dedicated entirely to them!
1. PeterCat Recording Co.
© PeterCat Recording Co
When I was compiling this list, I asked a bunch of musician friends and industry-insiders about their choices for the list and almost all of them were quick to quip ‘PeterCat’! And they were right, all of them. For those of you who don’t know, PCRC are a four-man army who came together in 2010 and have been redefining indie music ever since. Their music gives you this old world jazzy feel that makes you sit up and listen.
Genre: Cabaret / Gypsy Golf / Bathroom Waltz
Members: Suryakant - Vocals/guitar/organ; Rohan – Bass; Kartik - organ/guitar/electronics; Karan – beats
Hometown: New Delhi
Popular Tracks: There Is No Love Here, Flies
2. The Koniac Net
© The Koniac Net by MyBhutan
I met David Abraham—the band’s front runner—through sheer chance. But, from the first ‘Hello’, I knew that I would be listening to tKN’s music for a very long time. About 4 years down the line, I’m not wrong. The Mumbai-based band, The Koniac Net, was started in 2011, with David writing and performing the songs, single-handedly in his bedroom. The band officially formed in 2012. News of them spread soon, and today, they’re one of the most loved indie bands in Mumbai. Their music has this revivalist appeal that makes you want to put the band’s tracks on loop on a day when you feel bluesy and nostalgic for good ol’ rock with a contemporary twist.
Genre: Indie / Alternative Rock / Hard Rock
Members: David Abraham - Lead Vocals and Guitar, Jason D'Souza - Guitar and Vocals, Aaron Dmello – Guitar, Adil Kurwa – Bass, Karun "K-Pilly" - Drums
Hometown: Mumbai
Popular Tracks: Chasing After You, This Time Around
3. Dhruv Visvanath
© Tanu Dogra
Dhruv has become synonymous with “guitar-spanking”; not to forget, the signature hat that he wears while performing at his shows. Watching the guy perform is leisure in itself. With his playful banter in between songs and his knack of keeping his audience engaged and in splits, Dhruv Visvanath is a showman, indeed. Might I add, he’s been named in the Top 30 Guitarists Under 30. His latest album, Orion, has been in the limelight for all the right reasons. I mean have you heard Redemption? P.S.: He does a mean cover of Magic by Coldplay; you would know if you know anything at all about Dhruv Visvanath!
Genre: Acoustic, Electro Acoustic, Rock, Hard Rock, Alternative
Members: Dhruv Visvanath – Guitarist/Vocalist
Hometown: New Delhi
Popular Tracks: Redemption, Rain
4. The Lightyears Explode
© The Lightyears Explode
I first heard The Lightyears Explode some years back when they were performing at the Puma Loves Vinyl edition in the capital. And they were good; I was hooked. I have been listening to them ever since.
Genres: Alternative/Pop/Punk
Members: Shalom Benjamin – Bass; Saurabh Roy - Guitars/Vocals; Jeremy Dsouza –Drums
Hometown: Mumbai
Popular Tracks: Kunj Gatka and Good Night
5. Spud In The Box
© Facebook
The band formed back in 2011 and ever since its formation, they took over the indie scene in a big way, performing in festivals like The NH7 Weekender, M.A.D Festival, The Kala Ghoda Festival, The Pepsi MTV Indies Launch and even opened for Grammy-winning musician Norah Jones.
Genres: Alternative Rock
Members: Ankit Dayal - Vocals, Guitars; Rohan Rajadhyaksha - Vocals, Keys; Hartej Sawhney - Guitars; Siddharth Talwar - Guitars; Zubin Bhathena - Bass; Joshua Singh – Drums
Hometown: Mumbai
Popular Tracks: Manic, Good Way To Die
6. FuzzCulture
© Bhumika B Photography
If you like listening to stuff by international band Muse (remember Supermassive Black Hole?) then, chances are you’ll love this band. Also, there is almost a 100% certainty that if you are even a little bit familiar with the indie scene in the country, you’ve either heard these guys, or seen them perform at various popular haunts in the major cities. Heck they even won the VIMA Asia's Highest Honour the "Thank You For Existing" Award.
Genre: Electronica/Rock
Members: Arsh Sharma - Programming/Mix/Vocals/Guitar; Srijan Mahajan - Programming/Mix/Percussion
Hometown: New Delhi
Popular Tracks: Anatomy, Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing
7. Aditya Balani
© Facebook
Aditya Balani has become one of the country’s leading guitarists and indie musicians with his most recent album, Constants And Variables. The multi-faceted musician is a regular at leading music festivals and music shows across the country.
Genre: Alternative/Electro Pop/Indie
Members: Aditya Balani – Guitarist/Vocals
Hometown: New Delhi
Popular Tracks: Constants And Variables, Sky High
8. Madboy/Mink
© Madboy Mink
Imaad Shah and Saba Azad are the duo behind Madboy/Mink—India’s leading electro-cabaret disco funk band. From guitar to synthesizer teamed with soulful vocals that literally crank up the levels wherever they may be, the girl-boy team are a fun act that gets your feet tapping in no time. Basically Bonny M-meets-Bee Gees. Yes, you’ve seen them onscreen in movies like ‘Mujhse Fraandship Karoge’ and other new-age projects. But, they’re better on stage. Way better.
Genre: Electro Cabaret Disco Funk
Members: Imaad Shah, Saba Azad
Hometown: Mumbai
Popular Tracks: Taste Your Kiss, Fire In The Street