Fresh Indie Fridays

Timeship – “Intellectual”

Bengaluru-based artist Siddharth Pradeep aka Timeship – who combines elements of progressive rock, electronic and psychedelia – has crafted a scintillating and hypnotic new pop and funk offering titled “Intellectual.” While the song captures the story of an egomaniac and depicts their rise and fall, sonically Timeship has included rapid and funky guitar strumming, a slick synth hook, a banging beat as well as passionate vocals. At the end of the seven-minute track we’re treated to a shiny guitar solo that culminates into a spacey outro.

Joel Padikkal – “Thinking to Myself”

With years of experience in the Indian indie scene as a musician (blues rockers The Tripp and pop duo Joel & Dez), Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Joel Padikkal is finally out with his debut solo single in the shape of the tasty “Thinking to Myself,” as part of Mumbai-based Island City Studios‘ From The Island – Where Voices Matter campaign. With a star-studded lineup that includes blues-rock band Blackstratblues’ guitarist Warren Mendonsa, ska outfit The Fanculos’ trombone player Ramon Ibrahim, bassist Nathan Thomas aka NATE08 (from live electronica duo Drum Ani Bass), guitarist Siddharth Shankar, drummer Mitchell Murray and keyboardist Brent Tauro playing on the song, Padikkal has gone all guns blazing for his first single. The soothing offering includes the singer-songwriter’s staple splendid vocal brilliance whereas the track picks up in the second half with a whirlwind of a guitar solo under Padikkal’s voice as well as a cracking rhythm section. There’s also a music video released that captures Padikkal wandering around Bandra that’s released exclusively on art community platform Skillbox where one can donate through a reverse crowdfunding campaign wherein a portion of the proceeds will also be given towards COVID-19 relief work in India. Click here to watch the full video. 

Ilina Hats – “Anxious”

The last time we wrote about Mumbai-bred pop artist Ilina Hats was in 2017 for our Artists Under 25 list. At the time Hats was still releasing covers, however, now the singer is out with material of her own, most recently the club banger “Anxious.” The track includes smooth production from Elsa Mickayla while Hats wastes little time in getting to the chorus, having us singing along to her new tune immediately. The musician’s gifted voice shines across the saccharine song as she also shows off her dancing skills in the accompanying music video.  

Nitesh Rajesh – Kashtiyaan

Bhopal-based singer-songwriter Nitesh Rajesh recently released his acoustic rock six-track debut album Kashtiyaan. Through the record, Rajesh channels emotional tracks while keeping the theme of love flowing throughout. There’s plenty to admire from the album, right from the strong songwriting to the high-quality instrumentation as well as Rajesh’s profound singing ability. Not one to rest on his laurels, the singer-songwriter is already plotting an EP he hopes to release soon.