In a country where Bollywood and cricket rule the entertainment industry, indie music is slowly making its mark in India. The rise of independent artists can be attributed to new technological mediums and increased living standards as well.
Indie rock, is a genre of rock music that originated in the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Originally used to describe independent rock labels, the term ‘indie rock’ became associated with the music they produced and is now used interchangeably with the term alternative rock. The term ‘indie’ was used to describe bands that operate with a DIY ethos, away from the control and gaze of mainstream and dominant labels. Indie rock has since come to refer to a specific sound- vaguely characterised by catchy lead guitars and energetic drum beats. What should be stressed above all else is that the notion of indie music derives itself from the word “independent”—music for misfits made by the maverick outsiders who reject the corporate world of rock’n’roll.
The music industry in India is inevitably intertwined with popular Hindi movies. Unlike music industries around the world which are independent of the film industries, songs are an integral part of any Bollywood movie. Hence, the majority of popular music in India is made according to the plot of the movie. The intent of creating music with the movie plot as its backdrop restricts the creativity of the artist shrinking room for experimentation in music. Artists have to compromise on their distinct style and sound according to the demands of the record label.
During the 1990s, India had a thriving Indie pop with artists such as Adnan Sami, Alisha Chinai and Daler Mehndi. However, by the mid-2000s, most pop singers had turned playback singers, and the rise of reality shows that banked on Bollywood numbers dwindled the opportunity for independent music and albums. However, in recent years, the vast yet underutilised potential in the fast-growing and passionate independent music scene is coming back to light. Indie music bands like The Local Train, Indian Ocean, Parikrama, Agnee, MotherJane, and so many more are making their mark.
The Local Train
The Local Train is a 4-membered band formed in 2008 and is one of the most loved Indie rock bands of India. Taking inspiration from Nirvana to Indian Ocean, the band is widely known for their raw, empathic lyrics. Using themes like love, hope, suffering and belief with an ingenious blend of authentic, intense melodies and instruments and Hindi-Urdu lyrics, The Local Train made its mark in 2015 with its debut album ‘Aaslas ka Pedh’.
Indian Ocean
Evoking nostalgia in the old-times and respect in the younger generation, Indian Ocean has been one of the spearheads of the Indian rock scene from the early ’90s. Their unique blend of contemporary rock mixed with classical, jazz and fusion have earned them a cult following, thanks to their infusion of rock with shlokas and Sufism. The rise of Indian Ocean as a premier independent band in the commerce-driven and challenging music industry of India is nothing less than the sweet start-up story of breaking barriers and living through the test of time.
Parikrama
A rock and roll band formed in Delhi in the early 90s, Parikrama is widely recognised for its song ‘But It Rained’ which was dedicated to the kidnappings in the Kashmir valley during 1996. Inspired by Jim Hendrix and Pink Floyd, the band fuses Indian classical music instruments like mridangam, tabla and flute with conventional instruments like guitar, drums and keyboards to create their sound.
Agnee
Agnee- a Pune-based Indian rock band is known for its deeply-rooted Indian sounds, hummable tunes and live wire performances, and has released a series of super hits including Sadho Re, Kabira, the Splitsvilla Theme Song and the Roadies Theme Song.
The independent music scene in India may have finally found its groove. It is still in its nascent stage, but more and more people are turning to independent artists and the music they wish to convey. There has been an outpouring of fresh talent over the past decade, a new festival is launched every year, bedroom and basement studios have created a thriving electronic music scene, and live music is performed at venues all around India. Indie rock music, which was initially for misfits, but today, it is an escape from the monotony of life for a much larger audience than we imagine.
Written by Crew member: Snigdha Deshmukh
Artwork by Crew Member: Akshay Dhansoia
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