Global Music Project ‘Mix The City’ Launches in India

Each musician is filmed at signature landmarks around the city.

Mix The City is a global music project that aims to expose more people across the world to local artists. Taking a DIY approach, Mix The City–created by the British Council in collaboration with U.K. technical partners Flying Object and Roll Studio–encourages people to become part of the music by visiting their website to use sample audio and video from several local artists to create a unique music video. Each musician is filmed at signature landmarks and the video (generated by Mix The City) combines the unique sights and sounds of the urban experience that each cultural capital offers. The project is supported by Rolling Stone India which is also the official media partner.  “Mix the City is a brilliant way to celebrate the UK-India relationship, connect young people in both countries and inspire the next generation to build the relationship for the next 70 years,” says Alan Gemmell OBE, Director British Council India. 

While the last session of Mix The City in Hamburg was curated by Israeli producer Ophir Kutiel aka Kutiman, the Mumbai session will see British art rock outfit Django Django take the role. In addition to selecting the artists involved, each curator also presents their own mix of the clips. “Mix the City Mumbai brings 12 incredible Indian musicians to phones and tablets across Britain and India and lets people create and share their own Mumbai music video,” explains Gemmell. “This world-class digital and cultural innovation means that a global audience will be able to see, hear and share the amazing Mumbai music scene and the beauty of the city – making everyone a little bit of a Mumbaikar on their mobile.”

Mix The City Mumbai features singer songwriter Alisha Pais at Bandra Fort, multi-instrumentalist Rais Khan at Nariman Point, beatboxer/vocalist Meghana Bhogle at Chapel Road, renowned percussionist Sivamani at Goregaon, jazz pianist Louiz Banks in Santa Cruz, percussionist Taufiq Qureshi at the Jindal Mansion, flautist Rajeev Raja at Bandra Kurla Complex, sitar player Imran Khan at Ameyaz Music Studio in Walkeshwar, bassist Naina Kundu at The Hive in Khar, guitarist Ravi Iyer in Lower Parel, rabab player Chintoo Singh Wasir at Mount Mary Steps in Bandra and the Chaush Brass Band at Cotton Press Studio.

Other Indian cities on the roster include Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi. British composer Anna Meredith will be curating the session in Chennai while singer-songwriter Oli Bayston aka Boxed In will do the same for New Delhi. Kolkata will see key curator Kutiman return to his duties and take charge. Some of the artists participating are New Delhi-based producer Abhishek Bhatia aka Curtain Blue, classical violinist Padma Shankar, alternative rock band Superfuzz, electronic music and mixed media producer BLOT, Kolkata bassist Moinak ‘Bumpy’ Nag Chowdhury and many more.

The Mumbai session will officially launch on March 31st with a show at Antisocial in Khar, Mumbai with performances from Qureshi, Banks, Iyer, Kundu and Raja with support from percussionist Gino Banks, sitarist Rishabh Seen, tabla player Talvin Singh and Bengaluru based electronic music producer vinayak^a. 

 Click here for more details about the show.