Indie bands: The challenge of zeroing in on the right mix

From electronica to urban Punjabi hip hop, young Indie musicians navigate social media platforms to reach wider audience

New Delhi-based electronica producer and DJ A Little Bit of Everything’s (popularly called Alboe) music has grown exponentially since his debut in 2021. His new nine-track album ‘Enroute 24’ features Indian instruments such as the tabla, harmonium and santoor, which match the tunes of house music, breakbeats and blues. It switches from Hindi to English and back as the mood dictates.

Releasing an album was a big risk for Alboe. “I do not think there is enough time and attention for an album if you are not a famous artiste. It is far easier to continuously promote singles than an album,” he says.

Though Alboe has got to play at many big festivals such as Magnetic Fields, ZIRO Festival of Music, Gaia Festival, Cymbal and Pravaas Experience, he does not think it has become easier for live electronic artistes to get performance opportunities. The less said about an album opportunity, the better. “Many promoters of clubs and venues choose to programme commercial or techno DJs who have a proven track record. This restricts the exposure to new homegrown sounds and culture,” adds Alboe.

Fusing genres is intrinsic to 19-year-old I-pop and RnB composer and performer Raman Sharma’s sound. From pop to indie and Bollywood to EDM, Raman’s music is experimental, transcending genres and ages. Raman started extensively making music during the Covid lockdown. With an average viewership of close to one million and a loyal fanbase of 1,55,000 followers on Instagram, he is a growing sensation in the Indian pop landscape. Known for his tracks such as ‘Jadui Pari’ and ‘Too Dazed’, Raman’s latest track is the heartfelt ‘Dekho na’.

While growing up in India connected him deeply to classic Indian sounds, living in California exposed him to hip-hop, pop and cinematic soundscapes. “I love how music today doesn’t have to fit into one box. I’m all about mixing and blending different genres to create something fresh,” he says. Currently studying in California, he makes frequent trips to India. “It’s tough to lock down consistent performance opportunities. Festivals are happening all the time, but being split between two places makes it hard to really seize those chances,” he shares.

Raman is one of the few indie artistes who seems to have had an easier time recording and releasing. “I’ve got my own studio space in my apartment, so I’m constantly cooking up new music. The recording process is where I feel most at home, where I can dive deep into my ideas without worrying about logistics. So while live performances might be tough to nail down right now, recording albums and singles has been easier for me. I’m fortunate that I have this space to create freely whenever inspiration strikes.”

Bengaluru-based indie alt-rock band The Sandcats hit the ground running with their debut release, ‘Lounge Lizards’, in August this year. The Sandcats blends 2000s garage rock, post-punk and modern pop to create music that is a dynamic fusion of high-energy riffs and emotive lyrics, and has been featured on all major English radio stations across India.