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

Releasing the album was a big risk for Elbow. “I don’t think there’s enough time and attention for an album if you’re not a famous artist. It’s much easier to promote a single consistently than an album,” he says.

Although Elbow has had the opportunity to play at many big festivals such as Magnetic Fields, Zero Festival of Music, Gaia Festival, Symbol and Migration Experience, he does not feel that it has become easier for live electronic artists to get opportunities to perform. The less said about an album opportunity the better. “Many promoters of clubs and venues choose to program commercial or techno DJs who have a proven track record. This restricts exposure to new house sounds and culture,” says Elbow.

experimental music

Fusing styles is inherent in the sound of 19-year-old I-pop and RnB musician and artist Raman Sharma. From pop to indie and Bollywood to EDM, Raman’s music is experimental, transcending genres and eras. Raman started making music on a large scale during the Covid lockdown. With an average viewership of nearly one million and a loyal fan following of 1,55,000 followers on Instagram, she is a rising sensation in the Indian pop scene. Known for his tracks like ‘Jaadui Pari’ and ‘Too Dazed’, Raman’s latest track is the heartwarming ‘Dekho Na’.

I-pop and RnB artist Raman Sharma’s music blends different genres to create something new. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

While growing up in India kept him deeply connected to classic Indian sounds, living in California exposed him to hip-hop, pop and cinematic sounds. “I love that music today doesn’t have to fit into any one box. “I am into mixing different styles to create something new,” he says. Currently studying in California, he frequently travels to India. “It’s hard to turn down opportunities to perform consistently. Festivals happen all the time, but being split between two locations makes it difficult to actually take advantage of those opportunities,” he shares.

Raman is one of the few indie artists for whom recording and releasing seem to come easy. “I’ve got my own studio space in my apartment, so I’m constantly creating new music. The recording process is where I feel most at home, where I can delve deep into my ideas without worrying about logistics. So while live performances may be difficult to accomplish right now, recording albums and singles has become easier for me. I am fortunate that I have this space to create freely whenever inspiration strikes.”

a dynamic fusion

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

Sandcats Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The band’s latest single is ‘Urban Control’, which highlights the struggles of navigating a world shaped by capitalism. The band does not believe in defining itself with one genre of music. “It’s like not having any boundaries around our sound and having the freedom to experiment without any compromises,” says Ritwik Bhowmik, the band’s composer, guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. However, with a limited budget, Recording the album has been a bit challenging. “If you can make your demo sound close to the final version, you are able to finalize the song and get it ready for release with a limited budget. But if you just have an idea and you are not proficient in playing multiple instruments and knowing the basics of music production, it can be an expensive affair,” says Brahmos Ryan Sharma, guitarist/bassist of the band.

California-based hip-hop artist Dee Cali’s music is urban-based, and the lyrics are in Punjabi-infused English. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The discography of California-based urban Punjabi hip hop artist D’Cali includes several Punjabi hits such as ‘Desifornia’, ‘What To Do’, ‘Radio Girl’, ‘Chorni’, ‘Terrian Galan’ and ‘Personal Jet’. Her glamorous music videos are known for their high production values ​​and have millions of views on YouTube.

DeCali recently released his third single, ‘I Love You’ from his upcoming debut album Urban Domination. De Cali believes that most people have experience with western music but prefer to stick with the desi vibe. “My music is urban-based, with influences of hip-hop beats, and my lyrics are in Punjabi-infused English. Fusion music allows an artist to connect with double the number of people, because the same song has two different vibes,” he says.

Social media boom

Social media has helped The Sandcats reach fans around the world. But for this, the team would not have met a brilliant artist like Aadya Naik, with whom the band is collaborating for the artwork and lyric video for ‘Urban Control’. “It’s amazing to see how different people around the world connect with a track, but in their own way. We have found a lot of like-minded people who understand our vision and are willing to support us,” says Bhowmik.

According to Elbow, social media helps in building one’s brand. “There are many artistes who have become famous thanks to social media. You can use it to promote shows, message your audience and show them BTS, build interpersonal relationships, and much more. However, it has also become increasingly important for musicians to be efficient in their social media presence. This can be both a blessing and a curse,” he says.

Raman also credits social media for his reach and success. “I’ve built a community of people who really enjoy my music. People from all over the world come to my tracks, which would not have been possible without platforms like Instagram and TikTok,” he says. However, Raman also feels that social media is not always kind to artists who are introverted and prefer to focus on their craft without the constant pressure of posting. “Most artists make music or art as a very personal thing or to connect with themselves, and the social media landscape doesn’t always reward that. The algorithm demands consistency, and if you’re not someone who thrives on that kind of interaction, it can be difficult,” he explained.

digital distribution

Rohan Solomon says that technological advancements and digital distribution platforms have made the recording process much easier and more accessible. , Photo Courtesy: Arya Jha

All this was much more difficult in the past, when artists had to deal with middlemen and feedback was not as immediate and real-time as it is now. Global chart-topping singer-songwriter/producer Rohan Solomon feels that advances in technology and digital distribution platforms have made the recording process much easier and more accessible. Social media has helped in gathering feedback in person and eliminating the middleman. Rohan Solomon, who studied and works in music production and audio engineering, says, “But we always come across DIY musicians/producers who produce their own records at home, and they don’t live up to the potential of what they could have sounded like. Live.” In a studio in New York City. According to him, indie artists need marketing and promotion to really get their music out and heard.