Indie Music at Present Day

With the rise of social media and streaming platforms, Indie music artists have made a dedicated fan base in recent years. From Instagram reels to YouTube channels, Indie music in the present day has become a trend of new-age music.

Even though indie music is no longer confined to niche audiences, its relatable lyrics and attractive sounds are building a huge fan following particularly among Gen Z. This new generation of music enthusiasts often seeks out fresh voices, and the unfiltered world of indie music provides a perfect treasure of music to discover.

What is indie music?

Indie music (Independent music) is created independently of commercial labels. It is an autonomous do-it-yourself approach to recording and publishing music. Further, indie musicians are those musicians who write, compose, sing, and produce their music.

In the Indian Indie music scene, many artists like Lucky Ali, Euphoria, Indian Ocean, Silk Route, Palash Sen, etc. These are some of the popular indie artists of the 1990s

Indie music in the present day

Independent music in India, once sidelined from the mainstream industry, is now gaining momentum with the support of major artists. Artists like Prateek Kuhad, Anuv Jain, Ritviz, and Malavika Manoj have contributed significantly to Indie Music in the Present Day.

With the rise of streaming platforms, management firms, and great visual content, indie artists in the country are receiving global recognition and are now reaching new heights. For instance, Prateek Kuhad made it onto former U.S. President Barack Obama’s favourite songs playlist in 2019. With the popularity, there is more to experience with indie music 2024 for the audience.

Famous Indie music artist

1. Prateek Kuhad

Prateek Kuhad has gained a huge fame for being the India’s finest singer and songwriter. He has achieved international recognition in recent years. With Elektra Records his singing has been marked as a significant milestone and being featured on former US President Barack Obama’s playlist proving his global appeal. Prateek live performances made him to be a beloved figure in the new Indie music scene.

2. Anuv Jain

Anuv Jain is one of the most loved singers among Gen Z. His style of relatable lyrical storytelling on love, relationships, and heartbreaks made him very famous among the youth. He learned to play guitar when he was 16 years old. Further, in 2012 he uploaded his first song on YouTube- An acoustic version of “Barishein”. Even though this song gained attention after 10 years, it gave him immense love and recognition.

3. Ritviz

Over the past few years, Ritviz has gained a large and devoted fan base with his edgy music. As a prominent independent musician, he represents the spirit of today’s youth in India. He became a sensation with his breakout track “Udd Gaye”, which was a blend of pop, dance, Hindi, and hip-hop influences.

4. Osho Jain

Osho Jain, an artist from Indore has been creating Indie Fusion music for some time now. His compositions often intertwine elements of Hindi and Urdu literature with socially relevant themes. His musical journey started at the age of 12 when he picked up the guitar. In 2019 he released his debut EP titled ‘Wahaan,’ featuring five tracks including ‘Khud se’ and ‘Khush To Hai Na. This has gained him significant attention and fame.

Famous Indie music bands

1. When Chai Met Toast

Chai Met Toast is a group of, up and coming musicians from Kochi who specialize in indie folk music. The band was established in 2016 with Ashwin Gopakumar as the lead vocalist. Additionally, Achyuth Jaigopal plays the guitar Palee Francis handles the piano and Pai Sailesh is on drums. Originally a duo comprising Jaigopal and Gopakumar the band grew in size after connecting with Sailesh and Francis through contacts while Jaigopal was interning in Fort Kochi back, in 2014. Their first album, ‘Joy Of Things’ marked a milestone in their musical journey when it was released in 2017.

2. The F16

This indie music band “The F16″ is from Chennai. In the year 2013, the band released their debut EP, “Kaleidoscope.” The band consists of Josh as the lead singer and guitarist Abhinav, on guitar, Sashank playing bass, Harshan handling keyboard and MIDI and Manu taking charge of drums and percussion.

Known for their talent in crafting pop tunes the band picked up steam. Unveiled their first full length album, “Triggerpunkte,” in August 2016. Additionally, they have showcased their skills at events such as GoMAD, ZimaFest, Nagaland Hornbill Festival, India Bike Week and NH7 Weekenders. Their growing fanbase has solidified their position as a presence in the music scene of Chennai.

3. The Local Train

The Local Train is one of the famous Hindi rock bands from Chandigarh. The band features lead guitarist Paras Thakur with Ramit Mehra as bassist, and Sahil Sarin as drummer/percussionist. The band was formerly led by vocalist and frontman Raman Negi, who departed in April 2022.

Their first album, ‘Aalas ka Pedh’ was released in the year 2015. With their second album, “Vaaqif,” released in 2018, the band gained significant recognition. This album had hits like “Dilnawaz,” “Khudi,” and “Aaftaab”.

What are the latest indie music trends?

1. Genre-bending explorations

In the world of music artists have long embraced the blending of genres. This trend remains strong as musicians fuse elements, from styles to craft surprising musical landscapes.

2. Hyperpop era

Hyperpop stands out for its vibe infectious melodies and altered vocals. The songs feature vocals that are often distorted to give them a chipmunk like twist. Known for its nature and pushing sound hyperpop has captured the hearts of those who crave an energetic musical experience.

3. Lo-fi hip hop

Lo-fi hip-hop is a complete contrast to hyperpop’s frenetic energy. It is more about mellow, jazzy samples and boom-bap beats that create a relaxed atmosphere. These songs are perfect for unwinding or focusing on a task. Further, Lo-fi also uses sounds like rain to add a layer of warmth and familiarity.

4. Indie rock

Indie rock remains a driving force in the indie music scene. It consists of catchy melodies and guitar-driven arrangements. Contemporary indie rock is continuously evolving with modern elements like electronic flourishes and introspective lyrics.

5. Indie electronic

Indie electronic music is a sub-genre that blends the natural with the artificial combining electronic music elements, with traditional indie rock sounds. It offers a mix of familiarity and distinctiveness showcasing the creativity, within the music community.

Conclusion

Indie music is constantly evolving with emerging artists and innovations. It is embracing new influences and pushing creative boundaries. This spirit of innovation coupled with creativity is what keeps the scene fresh and exciting.

If you’re looking to catch some of the exciting indie gigs in Chennai, several resources are available to help you find upcoming Indie Music gigs in Chennai. You can check local music websites, social media groups dedicated to indie music, and even the websites of popular indie music venues in Chennai. These all can provide you with the necessary information about these gigs.

FAQs