New Music Initiatives on the Radar for Hip-Hop, Folk, Indie and More

As we’ve noted before, there’s no dearth of new innovations, fundraisers and events in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the country and paralyzing the music industry in several ways. Not just in terms of halting live performances, musicians and the larger industry’s essential hands working in studios or affiliated services such as logistics and more have been effected. We round up four new initiatives that are making the most of the situation.

Together for Tomorrow

New Delhi-based talent and brand agency Spectal – who manage the likes of rock band The Local Train and folk-indie act When Chai Met Toast – Iaunched Together for Tomorrow (TFT) to generate awareness and funds for the performance industry workers. With the job loss tally going well into multiples of lakhs in the live event industry, there’s now TFT grants via Anahad Foundation, with the disbursement of funds being overseen by music industry regulars including sound engineer Fali Damania, music management company Mixtape’s Naveen Deshpande and more. Donate here.

Compass Box and OKListen

With over 200 entries received, Ahmedabad-based Compass Box Studio is teaming up with digital music distributor OK Listen for a singer-songwriter competition with the deadline for submissions tonight. The winner – judged by seasoned singer-songwriters including Nikhil D’Souza, Mali and OK Listen founder Vijay Basrur – will received a free recording session at Compass Box, a sound card for recording, free distribution via OK Listen and support from Dolby India. Sign up here.

Beats Bakery

Bengaluru-based hip-hop collective Wanandaf have been active for more than a year now and best known for re-energizing the cypher scene in their city. Now, they’re expanding into an online beat making competition called Beats Bakery. The competition will be judged by Joe Panicker from hip-hop/electronic act Aerate Sound, producer-rapper Tre Ess and Chennai beatsmith 47k. Producers can submit their work between August 1st to August 23rd via @Wanandaf on Instagram.

Taalbelia Folk Alive

Music festival Taalbelia have been hosting livestreams featuring folk artists and fusion acts over the last three weekends. The third weekend jam brings together Roop and Swaroop, two Manganiyar vocalist brothers with Rajasthani folk powerhouse voice Mame Khan. Donations from the livestream will go directly towards the artists. Join here.