We love to jam out to Punjabi songs and Bollywood remixes in our cars and rooms. There is another genre of music that is making its mark in people’s hearts.
The indie genre is now widespread in India, known for its Bollywood remixes and new hip-hop music. Because of the enormous fan base in India and the hype the indie genre got mainly from the west, as well as the Western culture’s attention, this trend has been a success.
What does “Indie?” mean?
Two different concepts can be classified into indie.
- Indie is a musical genre that is characterized by a distinct sound.
- An Indie is a band or artist that has its production methods.
Indie is the term used to describe bands and artists who produce and distribute their music through low-key labels rather than mainstream labels that offer colossal marketing exposure. Indie artists are largely dependent on the record labels that they usually own.
Indie music producers like Nucleya and Ritviz have made it mainstream. Many indie artists and bands have been making music for years and still need to be mainstream.
So that you don’t remember your favorite songs, we have compiled a list of these bands and artists.
1.Prateek Kuhad
Genre: Indie Folk
Prateek Kuhad is a well-known singer-songwriter. His angelic voice is a major draw. Prateek Kuhad is a well-known name in India, but 2019 was his most prolific year internationally. He was featured not only on the “favorite music lists of 2019” by former President Barack Obama but also became India’s most-streamed artist that year.
His talent to entertain us with his singing in Hindi and English and his roots deeply rooted in songwriting make him stand out.
Suggestions:
- Kho Gaye Hum Kaha (Baar Baar Dekho)
- Cold/mess (cold/mess)
- Dil Beparvah, The Dewarists Season 05
2. Parekh & Singh
Genre Pop
Parekh & Singh is a dream pop duo hailing from Kolkata, India. The pair is composed of Jivraj Singh and Nischay Parekh. Jivraj plays the drums and adds dreamy effects while Jivraj sings. In 2011, the experimental artists formed ‘Nischay Parekh, which later evolved into Parekh & Singh in 2015.
Suggestions:
- I love you baby, and I love your doll (Ocean).
- Drum Machine (Drum Machine)
- Ocean- dream levels (Ocean)
3. The Local Train
Genre Rock
The Local Train is an Indian rock band founded in Delhi in 2008. The band has been around for over a decade and has become a mainstay in Indian music and cultural festivals. The band is well-known for its mix of Urdu and Hindi lyrics and the raw sound that resonates with youth.
The band consists of four members: Raman Negi on vocals, Paras Thakur on lead acoustic guitar, Ramit Mehra on bass guitar, and Sahil Sarin on drums.
Suggestions:
- Choo Lo (Aalas Ka Pedh)
- Dil Mere (Aalas Ka Pedh)
- Aaftaab (Vaaqif)
4. Ankur Tewari
Genre Pop
Ankur Tewari is a storyteller, singer, and lyricist from Bollywood. His songs are simple and poetic. The lyrics form an intimate place that instantly connects with the audience.
He is also a member of a band called the Ghalat Family. Sidd, Johan Pais, and Gaurav Gupta are all members. Together they have been creating Hindi acoustic songs in Urdu and Hindi. The band has performed at many festivals in India, including Bacardi HTML7 Weekender and Kala Goda Festival.
Suggestions:
- Rehne Do Na
- Wagairah Wagairah (Side A)
- Aaja (Side A)
5. Anuv Jain
Genre Folk
Anuv Jain, a singer-songwriter, is a TEDx speaker. Anuv Jain started his YouTube channel in 2012 to create good music. Some of his most famous songs are Ocean, Baarishein and Riha. Baarishein was his first recorded studio song.
Suggestions:
- Baarishein (Baarishein)
- Riha (Riha)
- Maula (Maula).
6. The F16s
Genre Alternative Pop/Rock
The F16s are a band from Chennai, India. They describe their music as “pop disguised in rock & roll.”
Although their songs are primarily lyrically driven, the music can bring a different atmosphere to your room during quarantine. They have released three albums, Kaleidoscope and Triggerpunkte. The band has achieved many achievements, including The Jack Daniel’s Award 2013 Best Emerging Act and Radio City’s Best Young Indie Artist (Judge’s choice).
Suggestions:
- Moon Child, Triggerpunkte
- Amber, WKND FRNDS
- WKND FRNDS, WKND FRNDS
7. Peter Cat Recording Co.
Genre: Jazz
The Delhi-based Indie band ‘Peter Cat Recording Co.’ was established nearly a decade ago. These musicians produce some of the best jazz tunes, making your Sunday afternoons more indie.
The group consists of Suryakant Seehney, the lead vocalist; Karan Singh, the drummer; Dhruv Bhhola who plays bass and samples; Rohit Bhola on Keys and Trumpet and Kartik Sundareshan Pilai who plays keyboards and guitars. Up to now, they have released four albums – Sinema (2011) Wall of want (2012) Climax (2015) and Bismillah (2019). Bismillah, the latest album by the band, is the best and most accessible. It features songs that coincide sonically.
Suggestions:
- Where the money flows (Bismillah).
- Portrait of a Time (Portrait of a Time).
- Memory box (Bismillah).
8. Black Letters
Genre Alternative Rock
Black Letters, a Bengaluru rock band is one of the most well-known in the south. The band was formed in Kochi and consists of four Malayali members – Akash, the drummer, Sarang Menon on guitar, Arjun Radhakrishnan, the guitarist, and Sharath, Iyer on vocals and guitar.
In 2007, they started as a metal band and later became a rock band after discovering their sound in 2010. Their debut album, Shapes on The Wall, was released in 2014. They also released an EP called “Petrichor” in 2015. Both of these albums received high critical acclaim. Their recent singles include still like you in my senses and dripping which are very similar to the themes of you reaching your late twenties.
Suggestions:
- Phila (Phila)
- Autumn Hue (Petrichor)
- Find You (Shapes on The Wall)
9. The Yellow Diary
Genre Alternative Rock
The Mumbai-based band, “The Yellow Diary”, has established itself as a leader in the indie music scene within less than a decade. Although they have only released two EPs, totaling six songs, the band’s rich compositions and lyrics have earned them the respect they deserve.
Himanshu Parikh is responsible for music production, keyboard, and backing vocals. Rajan Batra sings and writes songs. Vaibhav Pani plays the guitar. Sahil Shah plays drums. Stuart DaCosta plays bass.
After signing with Sony Music, the band released their first EP, Marz in 2017. Today, it has nearly six million views on YouTube. The second EP, titled ‘Izafa’ in Urdu, is the result of the band’s musical progress.
Suggestions:
- Rab Rakha (Rab Rakha)
- Tere Jeya Hor Disda (Izafa)
- Marz (Marz)
10. Taba Chake
Genre Folk
Taba Chake is a singer-songwriter from the Nyishi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh. His songs are inspired by tribal folklore. His unique singing, songwriting, and performing style make him stand out. His latest album, Bombay Dreams (2019), has been a huge success on major streaming platforms.
Suggestions:
- Walk with me
- Aao Chalein
- Shayad
11. Stevie
Genre: Indie
Stevie, an Indie singer-songwriter from Chennai whose songs are all about soul searching, has much more to contemplate. Some songs from his debut EP, six tracks long, have been a source of reflection for him for the past two years. For example, the opening track “21” recalls John Mayer and Frank Ocean. The listening curve may make “Hey Becky”, clean and pay attention to “piano-based R&B melodies rather than lo-fi beats. Stevie recalls that he used his song and didn’t only give it a little once he was nominated as Best Young Indie Artist.
Suggestions:
- All Night (STEVIE).
- 21 (STEVIE)
- Hey Becky (STEVIE)
12. Piyush Bhisekar
Genre: Indie
Piyush Bhisekar is a poet, songwriter, and singer. He’s like a freshly brewed cup coffee. His music will transport you to melancholic memories with its melodious melody. Piyush released his debut EP, “Hai Bharosa”, in December 2018. It was nominated for the Independent Music Awards 2019 in the quality World EP’ category. He is a rising Indie singer-songwriter!
Suggestions:
- Wajah (Hai Bharosa)
- Tu Hai Wajah (Hai Bharosa)
- Tum Aao Baitho Baatein Kare [Hai Bharosa]
Whilto