Indian Indie’s Next Generation: Meet NEXA Music’s Top 24
The chosen singer-songwriters, producers and composers from the country-wide talent hunt and incubator discuss goals and experiences
Music maestro A.R. Rahman with the contestants from NEXA Music Season 2. Photo: Gaurav Sawn
Afro-Pop Dreams and Millions of Streams in Sight
Name: trisha
City: Chennai
Genre: Pop
Biggest goal this year: “My goal this year is to release an EP of five to six international quality pop songs this year with a goal of achieving at least 10 million streams on one of them. It would be great to be on a Spotify editorial playlist like Pop Rising. I also want to establish my own sound and style by the end of this year. I would like to experiment with different subgenres of pop, with Afro-pop being one given my exposure to Africa during my time there,” trisha says.
Bringing Cinematic and Indian Folk Sounds to the World
Name: Brian Christopher Bangera
City: Bengaluru
Genre: Rock, pop, blues, dubstep, metal
Biggest goal this year: “I have always approached my work in music with an approach that focuses on both expression and newer/more creative applications of both musical elements (sounds/instruments) and blending multiple genres. I don’t not have any specific music goal for the year but I have been considering writing/composing music of popular genres built on Cinematic elements including both percussion and melodic orchestral elements. In addition, I have for a long time also wanted to use Indian folk percussion beats as well due to the energy they bring to the overall tone of the music,” Bangera says.
On His Way to Becoming a Bigger Deal Throughout the Country
Name: Rapper Big Deal
City: Puri
Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
Biggest goal this year: “To be a breakout musician nationally. I wanna be a leader in the regional music space and a case study where I prove to everybody that music has no language. What really matters is creating great, exceptional music that strikes a chord with your fanbase to start with and then everybody else, too,” the rapper says.
Energized in the Presence of Stars and Talent
Name: Temsu Clover
City: Dimapur
Genre: Indie soul-pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “Definitely meeting A.R. Rahman and having a conversation with him. He was so kind and intelligent. No wonder he is where he is today. What an honor to have met him! And also meeting the rest of the NEXA season 2 artists. All of them are super talented, full of passion and love. I am very grateful for finding new friends and relationships through NEXA Music,” the artist says.
Biggest goal this year: “It is definitely making more music and to become a true version of myself as a musician,” Temsu adds.
Aiming for Big Stages and Labels for His Stories
Name: Sunep A Jamir
City: Mokokchung, Dimapur
Genre: Eighties-inspired pop
Biggest goal this year: “I always keep my goal big and high, whether I achieve it or not. The biggest goal I have not only this year, but every year is to go on performing on some big stages, sharing my story through the songs and also to be signed by a music label, which will be a dream come true for me,” Jamir says.
A Saxophone-Laced New Album Is On The Way
Name: Brecilla
City: Mumbai
Genre: R&B, soul, gospel, pop
Biggest goal this year: “Release all the songs off my debut album, three of which are already out. My NEXA Music Original, “Becky,” is the third song of the album that has been in the works for two years now. I’m working with Pranav Kamat who has produced, mixed and mastered my tracks and is also a dear bandmate in my live performances. “Becky” debuts my saxophone playing, which I picked up this pandemic. I plan to tour with my collective, playing my music across India and beyond,” the artist says. Brecilla adds that collaborating with A.R. Rahman on one of her songs is also on the list. “I already got a chance to tell him about my music and I know that working with him will be an experience of a lifetime,” she says.
More Collaborations and An Eye on Movie and Series Soundtracks
Name: Subhi
City: New Delhi
Genre: Pop
Biggest goal this year: “I’m grateful for all the wonderful opportunities I have gotten till now – being a part of NEXA Music’s Top 24 and opening for [Pakistani pop artist] Ali Sethi’s North America Tour in Chicago as the most recent ones. This year, a goal is to expand my network of co-writers and collaborations with as many artists and producers as I can. I welcome every opportunity that comes my way, both as a performer and artist, and as a composer and top-liner,” Subhi says. The artist is also keen on writing more for soundtracks off Bollywood films and web series. She adds, “I want to explore new genres by writing and composing for different projects. It’s a year to observe, learn, network and grow.”
Turning Important Learning Experiences Into Music
Name: Hanu Dixit
City: Mumbai
Genre: Pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “The entire experience has been a magical journey for me. The best thing about this was that I got to meet so many different musicians coming from different backgrounds with different stories. I got to learn so much about music and life from everyone,” Dixit says.
Biggest goal this year: “To flow with the flow. To detach from goals and let go to see where my music takes me. Also to learn and absorb as much as I can from every musician I meet this year,” he adds.
Positive Reinforcements Have Arrived
Name: Akshita Patel
City: Ahmedabad
Genre: R&B/Soul, Pop
Biggest goal this year: “Especially after the whole NEXA Music experience, [I want] to get my original songs out there and release my debut EP. The wholesome experience has amounted into a quiet faith in these songs I wrote, but kind of kept them hidden somewhere in the back of my jukebox for a couple of years. It has definitely reinstated that direction for me as an artist. I can’t wait to release my songs and go on make more music, play more and do more of my music. This is it,” Patel says.
He’s Here, He’s Queer and Celebrating It Through Song
Name: John Oinam
City: Thanga
Genre: Funk, pop, soul, R&B and Manipuri folk
The best thing about NEXA Music: “It’s giving a queer artist like me such a big platform where I could express myself the way I want to and share my journey with a mass audience. NEXA Music has also given me the biggest opportunity to meet the musical legend A.R. Rahman. I won’t forget the moments I spent with Rahman sir, talking about music and more,” Oinam says.
Biggest music goal this year: “Releasing new music; I am working on my album, which will be about my journey of finding myself and embracing my queer identity and celebrating it. Basically, it will be all about claiming my space in the society as a femme gay man,” the artist adds.
Overcoming the Inner Critic
Name: Niyati Mehta
City: Mumbai
Genre: Pop/R&B
Biggest music goal this year: “My biggest self and musical goal for the year is be as honest and non-judgmental towards my music as I can be. It’s really tough to keep your inner critic quiet sometimes, but I truly believe that once you overcome that, half of the battle is already won. I plan on writing more music and performing an all original music set this year, which is something I haven’t done up until now,” Mehta says.
Forging a Deep Connection with Vulnerable Music
Name: INGA
City: Mumbai/Bengaluru
Genre: Folk-pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “NEXA is known for championing art and the kind of exposure this stage receives is insane for any budding artist. Meeting other wonderful musicians hustling in this tough industry has been quite the trip too! The most surreal experience, however, was sharing a laugh with A.R. Rahman over my specific style of writing. He just gets it, man!” the artist says.
Biggest goal this year: “Connecting deeply with people is the thing that excites me most about writing songs. It’s the only time I can share my vulnerabilities without hesitation and so, more authentic music is on the way for the year!” INGA says. She adds, “Winning NEXA would also be incredible because I’d get to work with A.R. Rahman. That’d be one thing off the bucket list.”
Making The Most of the Here and Now
Name: Poorva Gairola
City: Dehradun/Gurugram
Genre: Blues, country
The best thing about NEXA Music: “NEXA Music made sure that each contestant carried a part of themselves on set. While we all came together in a single dress code for the photoshoot, but NEXA made sure we truly showed who we are. It is by far the most enriching experiences of my life and I’m grateful for that,” Gairola says.
Biggest goal this year: “I am focused on releasing my first album this year. It will be songs narrating the journey I’ve lived so far. I have wasted enough time waiting to be ready to release my music. However this year, all that will change, the time is here and now,” she adds.
A Sparking, Collab-Friendly Debut EP Coming Up
Name: Huyana
City: Bengaluru
Genre: R&B, jazz, soul, pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “As a collective, it has created a collaborative and supportive space amongst growing independent musicians in the country. Through this journey, I’ve made life-long friendships and memories. Being able to speak with A.R. Rahman sir was undoubtedly an unforgettable moment and I am so grateful for the opportunity. Thank you for supporting indie music the way you are with this platform!” Huyana says.
Biggest goal this year: “I am looking forward to dropping my debut EP this year! It’s a project that’s been in the works for the past few years and I’m finally ready to put my original music out there. This EP is going to feature collaborations with some very talented musicians and I hope that listening to it will be as nice as it was creating it,” she adds.
A Prolific Year Ahead and A Headline Show in Sight
Name: Maanuni
City: Mumbai
Genre: Pop, R&B
The best thing about NEXA Music: “It has given an opportunity to make a sick tune with some incredible people who make the songs sound top notch. Getting to meet A.R. Rahman is a cherry on the cake and also meeting and listening to the other 23 artists has genuinely been a treat!” the artist says.
Biggest goal this year: “To put out an EP, a couple of singles and collaborations, that are in the works and which I can’t wait for everyone to hear, out as well as do a solo headlining show, playing my original music! Probably even travel to other cities for the same would be great,” the artist adds.
Fulfilling and Fueling Dreams Even Further
Name: Bony
City: Guwahati
Genre: Experimental
The best thing about NEXA Music: “[It’s only when] I pick up my guitar and start writing that I feel like being myself, at peace. Getting selected for NEXA Music that too by one of the most versatile musicians/composers of our time, and cherry on top, for my originals, gave me a lot of strength to keep pursuing this dream of mine,” Bony says. “I remember the expressions on my parents’ faces after I told them that I got selected into the Top 24. That is one memory I cherish today even more,” he adds.
Biggest goal this year: “I don’t really have any big or small goals as such to be honest. I try to take in all that life has to offer and I try to express them in my work. In that sense, my biggest goal would be to be more personal with what I do,” Bony adds.
Readying An Album That Chronicles Growth, Love and Learning
Name: Gaia Meera
City: Mumbai
Genre: Singer-songwriter, dream-pop, alt-pop, indie-folk
The best thing about NEXA Music: “Meeting other like-minded, goal-oriented musicians from all over the country has been amazing! Everyone connects to music differently and has their own story when it comes to how they found themselves walking this path; hearing their stories and connecting with them has been a treasured part of this experience for me,” the artist says.
Biggest goal this year: “I have an album written and ready to be recorded; my goal for the year is to record and produce it so that it’s ready for release before the end of the year. It features songs from the past three years that chronicle my growth and my journey into (and through) love and learning,” she adds.
Coasting on Good Vibes and Solid Ambition
Name: Tan9oCharlie
City: Pune
Genre: Indie, synthwave, jazz, psychedelic rock, soul/R&B
The best thing about NEXA Music: “The platform and recognition that NEXA Music got for artists is really a big deal, also the whole experience from day one was amazing and the people were really good. That’s the best part, literally everyone had a good vibe to share,” the artist says.
Their biggest music goal this year: “I have some songs releasing soon and from different bands, some of my own. I am aiming to finish at least three video songs and by the end of this year, I will start touring around with different artists, make a lot of money and repeat till I get to the top,” he adds.
Exploring Genres and Going the Electronic Route
Name: Shivash Chagti
City: New Delhi
Genre: Singer-songwriter, soft rock, Adult Contemporary
The best thing about NEXA Music: “Meeting such incredible singer-songwriters has been nothing less than inspiring, it made me realize how immensely talented people are in our country who are devoting their lives to music and self-expression,” Chagti says.
Biggest goal this year: “This year, I’m focused on launching my own electronic act under the name ChugTea. I’ve found that exploring an array of genres is important to grow as a versatile producer and musician. I’ll also be taking this another step forward and have a full-fledged electro-live set. I’ve always been about keeping songwriting simple and powerful but after exploring different sounds and textures, my beliefs are getting challenged,” he adds with a laugh.
Pushing and Entering a New Era for New Music
Name: Medha Sahi
City: Goa
Genre: Singer-songwriter
The best thing about NEXA Music: “Getting to work with the most incredible, creative geniuses of the industry, to collaborate with those who are currently making the most successful songs of India, has been amazing. They pushed me out of the genre that I have always sung in, into a world that I found a new voice in, a new musical persona in. For that, I’m grateful,” Sahi says.
Biggest goal this year: “To release more originals! I have been writing music that I’m proud of for almost ten years and have released so few songs. I have, since the start of the competition, shot and edited my first ever music video for the song I applied with, ‘Ordinary.’ It will release this year I’m sure,” the artist adds.
An Album and Nationwide Tour on the Horizon
Name: K.L. Pamei
City: Dimapur
Genre: Country, pop, indie
The best thing about NEXA Music: “First of all, it was a dream come true and also my biggest break to meet and talk with A.R. Rahman sir. Also, a big shout out to NEXA Music team and everyone who worked so hard alongside with us. They are a bunch of kind and talented people and it was so nice meeting and learning from them,” Pamei says.
Biggest goal this year: “This year, I’m releasing my first music album and my goal is to do an India tour for my album.”
Walking the Steady Path to A Debut Multilingual Album
Name: Shruti Dhasmana
City: Mumbai
Genre: Pop, R&B, soul
The best thing about NEXA Music: “[It] was truly one of the most special experiences of my life yet and the reasons are multifold, really! This never felt like a competition. Rather a place where we were celebrating and creating music,” Dhasmana says.
Biggest goal this year: “My biggest music goal this year is to release my debut album. I have been sitting on it for a few years now working on it and more often than not, overthinking whether it’s ready to be released. But my heart knows that it is. It has every emotion on it that I felt during the lockdown and before, in life. It is a multilingual album and I honestly cannot wait to share my sound and my music with everyone,” she adds.
The artist is also excited about touring with a revamped live experience. “I’ve always been a Broadway child, wanting to sing, act and dance. This has a team of 17 people – my band members and my favorite dance crew. It was a dream and a goal since 2017 which is finally coming true this year,” the artist says.
Serene Music and Memories for a Lifetime
Name: George Paul
City: Idukki
Genre: Indie-pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “Meeting A.R. Rahman sir! It has been a wonderful experience meeting the legend! Honestly, this was not even in my wildest dreams,” he says. Meeting his fellow artists was also inspiring, according to Paul. “There was and is a lot to learn from them […] This is something which goes to my core memory lane. I am sure when I look back from my old age, this to be one of the best memories I will ever have,” he adds.
Biggest goal this year: “It always has been my dream to release a lot of my own music out in the world. It always gives me utmost happiness when someone tells me, ‘This song of yours just gives me peace of mind whenever I listen to it.’ So my goal this year is to release five or six more singles so that I can connect with more people, and someday, all these people will be coming to a George Paul live gig and experiencing loads of serenity and beauty and peace through music,” the artist says.
Bolstering Self-Belief On the Back of a Dream Come True
Name: pruthvi
City: Mumbai
Genre: Indie-pop
The best thing about NEXA Music: “The experience was a dream come true, especially meeting A.R. Rahman sir, who has been an inspiration for my music for years. It was surreal to meet him in person, and I will forever cherish the memories,” the artist says.
Biggest goal this year: “One of my biggest music goals for this year is to start believing in myself and my music. It’s tough to have confidence in oneself, especially when you’re in a competitive industry like music. I constantly doubt my ability and whether my music is good enough for people to hear. But I know that in order to achieve, I must overcome my doubts and believe in my abilities. Fortunately, I am surrounded by individuals who believe in my music and inspire me to keep chasing my aspirations,” she adds.
Photos: Gaurav Sawn
