Anuv Jain

As the future of music in India, Anuv Jain’s journey from humble beginnings to topping the charts exemplifies the burgeoning talent and potential within the Indian music industry.  

In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone India, Anuv reflects on his unexpected rise to prominence, the influences shaping his distinctive sound and his vision for the future of music in India. From his early days as a shy yet ambitious student to transitioning into a full-time music career during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anuv’s story is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to his craft. Join us as we delve into the life and music of Anuv Jain, a rising star poised to make a significant impact on the global music scene. 

Rolling Stone India: Anuv, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Did you imagine you would be here right now? 

Anuv Jain: Honestly, no. Music was always a passion of mine; even back in school, I played guitar and wrote songs. But it was more of a hobby to me. I never actively pursued it as a career. However, things unfolded unexpectedly, and I’m grateful beyond words for where I am now. 

How did your journey as a musician unfold? 

I’ve always been shy but highly motivated. Whether it was sports or academics, I excelled. Music was no exception. I was a diligent student, always respectful to my teachers, perhaps even a bit of a teacher’s pet. This demeanor served me well. Despite my shyness, I always harbored a deep love for music. In college, I met people who encouraged me to break out of my shell, leading me to record my music. “Barishem,” a song I wrote at 16, was eventually recorded when I turned 21. It felt like the right time, both vocally and musically. Posting it on Soundcloud and later on YouTube marked the beginning of a gradual but steady rise. While I’ve become more confident over time, that shy yet motivated kid still resides within me, striving for excellence in everything I do. 

You transitioned into a full-time music career during the COVID-19 pandemic, right? That must have its own set of challenges. What motivated you to take this leap back then?  

So, what happened was that I spent three years working in the family business in Ludhiana, where we had several factories. Unfortunately, my father passed away earlier, and some family members were managing the business, but due to certain issues, it didn’t work out.  

Coincidentally, around the time of the COVID-19 lockdown, I decided to leave my job. I felt it wasn’t working out properly, and simultaneously, Spotify launched in India, leading to a surge in music streaming popularity. It was during this period that my music started gaining traction again in 2019-20. Leaving my corporate job felt like the right decision as I was passionate about music, and I received appreciation for it, which I didn’t necessarily get in the family business. The timing aligned well with the lockdown, which boosted independent music’s popularity, ultimately propelling my career forward. It felt like I caught the wave at the right moment. 

Your music often deals with themes of love and heartbreak. What draws you to explore these emotions in your songs? 

All of my songwriting is deeply rooted in personal experiences, either from my own life or from those close to me. I often emphasize this during my shows because there’s sometimes speculation that the stories might be fabricated, but every word is authentically derived from real-life events or emotions. While I had a generally happy childhood, like everyone, I’ve also experienced moments of sadness, which I believe are universal. I’ve developed a knack for introspection, allowing me to channel these emotions into my music, particularly in crafting lyrics with depth and emotional resonance. 

Many of your compositions feature only a guitar or ukulele, creating an intimate atmosphere. What led you to choose this minimalist approach? 

Regarding the choice of instruments like the guitar or ukulele in many of my compositions, it’s a combination of factors. Firstly, I’m not formally trained in music theory, but I excel in songwriting and composing melodies. Since I’m proficient in playing the guitar and have some knowledge of the ukulele, these instruments naturally became my primary tools for composition. Additionally, during the recording of my song “Barishein” at the age of 21, it was serendipitous that these instruments were readily available and suited the intimate atmosphere I aimed to create.In fact, at the time, I didn’t have any budget at all, absolutely zero. I was essentially a “make-do” kind of person. So, I recorded the song for free, which turned out to be the best investment I ever made because it has yielded incredible returns.  

However, due to financial constraints, I couldn’t afford to include many instruments in the recording. If you listen to it now, you’ll notice it’s quite minimal, with just a shaker and keys, as that’s all I had access to. They offered to add more instruments for a fee, but being a broke college student, I couldn’t afford it. Coincidentally, I decided to release it anyway because I believed in its quality. I had always planned to wait until I had more money to invest in music production. Surprisingly, people appreciated the stripped-down storytelling approach. That became my signature style, and I embraced it because it allows the focus to remain on the songwriting rather than being overshadowed by elaborate instrumentation. 

Your 2023 track, “Husn”, also topped the charts, reaching number one on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. How do you feel about the overwhelming response, not just to one track, but multiple ones now? 

“Husn” quickly rose to become the number-one song nationwide on both Spotify and Apple Music. It also held the top spot in Pakistan for a significant period. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because “Husn” was independently released, without any substantial marketing budget or promotional efforts, aside from a few reels I shared.  

Many industry insiders have remarked on the rarity of an independent song reaching such heights. Personally, I approached this song with a level of confidence unlike any before, as it’s one of my personal favorites among my compositions. However, even with this confidence, I never anticipated it would reach number one. It’s a remarkable feat, and I’m thrilled beyond words. I imagine I’ll still be talking about it when I’m 60, reminiscing about having had a number-one song in India. It’s truly surreal, and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. 

Have there been any local or international artists who’ve had a significant impact on your musical style? 

While there may be artists out there on a similar path, I haven’t consciously tried to replicate anyone’s style. However, listening to some artists early on in my life definitely left a mark on me. 

I began with a lot of Backstreet Boys, like many others, and fell in love with their music. Even now, I occasionally listen to them for nostalgia’s sake. Then, I delved into Linkin Park, which led me to start writing those emo, teenage songs. Of course, I’ve never released them and probably never will, but that’s how I first got into songwriting, expressing those angsty feelings like ‘crawling in my skin.’ 

Eventually, I discovered a lot of Indian music, including the brilliance of artists like A.R. Rahman and Mohit Chauhan from the movie Rockstar. Their music deeply impacted me. And then there was Ed Sheeran, whose music blew my mind. I even attended one of his concerts, where I wrote down my wish to someday perform on stage with just a guitar. Now, I’ve actually manifested that dream. So, while these artists have certainly influenced my music, I’ve always aimed to stay true to my own unique style rather than imitate anyone else’s. 

What’s next for Anuv Jain? Is anything interesting in the pipeline? 

There’s a lot in the pipeline. This year has been all about international performances, and we recently wrapped up a tour in the UK. The next big thing on the agenda is the Australia tour, which I just announced. It’s happening in the next month, covering Australia and New Zealand. Our focus has been on expanding globally, mirroring the way we built our base in India. It’s a gradual process, but I’m patient and excited about the journey. 

In addition to touring, I have several new singles in the works. Despite a busy schedule with shows, I’ve begun working on new music. It’s progressing a bit slowly due to the constant traveling, but I’m determined to bring some fresh ideas to life. And of course, an EP has always been on my mind. Hopefully, I’ll find some downtime soon to focus on that. 

I might be asking all the artists featured in this campaign – what gives you hope about the future of music in India and what worries you about it? 

What gives me hope is the emergence of so many talented artists. I see the right kind of music being promoted, with beautiful songs making it to the top of the charts. It’s reassuring to know that people are embracing quality music. However, what worries me is the risk of burnout among artists. With the rise of social media, artists feel pressured to constantly churn out content, which can be detrimental to creativity and mental health.  

I come from the belief that overexposure isn’t beneficial, but unfortunately, it seems to be the norm dictated by algorithms. I hope audiences understand that artists need time to create quality music, and we can’t rush the process. Another concern is the lack of support at times. As artists grow, they face skepticism and criticism, which can hinder their progress. It’s disheartening to see this happening, especially in our country where we should be supporting and encouraging each other. I believe both these issues can be addressed through better education and understanding from audiences. 

As a leading new upcoming artist in India, what’s your message for the world? 

My message would be that Indian music is poised to become the next big thing. We’re aiming to make our mark in the UK and then the US. I believe our country will produce international stars soon. It’s not just about my music but about the entire music scene in India. We’re on our way, and I believe we’ll reach the top very soon. There’s immense talent here waiting to be discovered, and I’m confident we’ll make waves on the global stage.