Exclusive Premiere: Mumbai Indie-Rock Act Long Distances Start a New Journey with Punchy Debut Song ‘Empire’

Blending post-punk, shoegaze, dream-pop and rock into one sweeping amalgam, the latest band on the block is Long Distances, out with their debut single “Empire.”

Comprising vocalist Aarifah Rebello, guitarist-producer Apurv Agrawal (from post-hardcore act Pacifist and his own experimental project Cowboy and Sailor Man) and guitarist, bassist and synth artist Zubin Pastakia, the Mumbai-based trio also enlisted drummer Jai Row Kavi to sit in as a session artist, with additional vocals on “Empire” by Mali aka Maalavika Manoj.

A collaborative project that started out just when the pandemic-related lockdowns were setting in, Pastakia connected with Rebello and Agrawal sharing demos, and eventually the three gathered on Zoom calls (and in person) to begin work on what is now a five-song EP called How the Mighty Will Fall. Rebello is keen to point out that this wasn’t just hinging on working remotely. “I feel like irrespective of being in the same room or not, we’ve always worked to serve the music. So collaborating, ideating, and writing lyrics and parts came easy,” she says. Agrawal adds that all artists worked well in both kinds of environments, while Pastakia adds that even when some writing was done remotely, things were effortless once they were in the same studio room. “I think what I like about how we work together is that everyone sort of checks their ego at the door and we somehow have been very vulnerable and open to what comes out of a session,” he says.  

After years of writing and recording his own material, Pastakia says he was never fully happy with it but recording technology improvements have brought in a lot of perspective for the artist. “I feel like if I don’t do it now, I never will,” he says about Long Distances. With swelling synth flourishes and new wave’s robotic rhythm work at times, there are plenty of juxtapositions on “Empire” to draw the listener during its nearly four-minute runtime. Bearing all the elements of a melancholic, yet foreboding sound, Rebello asks, “And where you gonna be?/ When your empire falls.”              

Pastakia credits much of the song’s energy to being driven by Agrawal with “fuzz guitars.” He adds, “We immediately knew that it was exactly what the song needed to drive the point home and Aarifah’s vocals still kept it dreamy and melodic and approachable.” As it turns out, Agrawal and Pastakia bonded on their fondness for common artists and their music-making approaches. Rebello, on her part, says with a laugh that some of the influences they share are Hayley Williams and The Cure.

Apart from Row Kavi behind the kit, the other artists involved on How the Mighty Will Fall EP include producer Sandunes aka Sanaya Ardeshir and bassist Krishna Jhaveri. Pastakia says their involvement as session artists – co-producing and mixing different songs – came about spontaneously. “I really respect the two of them – for not only the mastery of their craft and their professionalism – but I’m also so thankful for their patience and encouragement,” Pastakia says.

While the EP is slated for release in early 2023, there’s a music video for “Empire,” and singles like “Love Song for An Apocalypse.” Long Distances is also gearing up to go live by the time the full EP drops. Agrawal says, “We’re aware of the massive push it’s going to take to take this from a studio project to a live act while making sure we do justice to the songs and the sound.” Pastakia adds, “We’re already in talks with some amazing musicians who are keen and we can’t wait to play this live for people in 2023.”

Stream “Empire” below. Listen on Apple Music.