Fresh Indie Fridays #57

The Darshan Doshi Trio – Live on Tour 2022 

After releasing the seven-track album Live on Tour 2021 earlier this year, Mumbai drummer Darshan Doshi and his project The Darshan Doshi Trio are now back with an eight-song LP titled Live on Tour 2022. The songs on the new live album were recorded during the band’s performances across five cities in India this past June. While the first live album featured guitarist Rhythm Shaw and bassist Avishek Dey, the new one calls upon guitarist Rickraj Nath and bassist/synth bassist Harshit Misra aka Hashbass, while vocalist Isheeta Chakrvarty sits in on one song. Live on Tour 2022 is filled with intricate grooves and sublime interplay between the musicians, as well as plenty of dynamics that showcase a gritty yet unaverred electronic drum and bass sound.  

Gaurav Jagwani – Dots & Dashes 

On his latest five-track EP Dots & Dashes, Mumbai singer-songwriter Gaurav Jagwani shares vocal duties with the likes of fellow singer-songwriters Banat, Utsavi Jha and Manuka. The warm and wholesome acoustic record falls into the country, folk and blues categories while Jagwani’s heartfelt lyrics stand out, as do the vocal harmonies across the EP. He said in a statement, “I’ve always wanted to do an album with female singers and to get three of the most sought-after artists in the country on their rise is just phenomenal. I wrote these songs in the lockdown, always with the intention of making them duets.”  

Nitansha – “Two” 

New Delhi singer-songwriter Nitansha brings out a darker and moody sound through her latest single “Two.” The synth-leaning track accentuates Nitansha’s gripping vocals and melancholic vocals. The artist said in a statement, “[The song] tells a story about how hard the last two years have been. It reflects on all moments of vulnerability where I go into self-doubt and try to seek answers.” 

Kashmira – “To Be Found” 

Pune rock artist Kashmira recently dropped her second single of the year in the shape of the raucous “To Be Found.” The song includes heavy distorted guitars, punchy drums, a juicy guitar solo as well as Kashmira’s steely vocals. The track does simmer down during the verses with acoustic guitar strumming, but retains Kashmira’s distinct rock sound. The artist said in a statement, “The title does talk about self-discovery, which has always been the base of most of my lyrics before too, but it’s much more than that. The lyrics will paint a certain picture, but they are what you make of them.” 

Achanté feat. zContent – “The One Who Got Away” 

Earlier this month, Mumbai-bred and Toronto-based singer-songwriter Chantelle Menezes aka Achanté released her soulful debut single, “The One Who Got Away,” featuring Canadian artist zContent. The song’s dream-pop production sits perfectly with Achanté’s mellifluous vocals and lush texture. In a statement, she said, “This track brings [the] Torontonian and South Asian diaspora together. It weaves the story of two star-crossed lovers, and skillfully maneuvers the listener through feelings of passion, nostalgia, unrequited love and closure.”