The Hot List 2016: The Local Train (Alt Rock Band)
Zipping on the fastest track to success with their arena anthems
The Local Train. Photo: Prashin Jagger
If there’s one thing New Delhi rockers The Local Train take immense pride in, it is the relationship they have built with their fans in the past year. While they’re best known for playing at the biggest college fests across India, their presence on the Internet has been a big bonus on their path to fame.
According to frontman Raman Negi, the band’s routine of regularly releasing singles and music videos online has paid off. “That way, you’re directly connected to the audience,” says Negi. Currently, the views on their YouTube channel total to more than three million. “We’ve got a few fans in almost every country.” Their performance at the finale of pan-India band hunt Sennheiser Top 50 2016 in September (a contest that they won in 2015) saw the venue, Mumbai’s Hard Rock Café Worli, packed with loyal fans singing along to every song on the setlist””a rare sight by indie music standards. Says Negi, “We’re all from small towns and just met and started making music”¦ So it’s really great. I just want to thank them (the fans.)” In 2017, The Local Train plan on releasing a follow-up to their 2015 debut album Aalas Ka Pedh.
