Maed In India

This week's headliner is guitar virtuoso/producer/composer Warren Mendonsa aka Blackstratblues, who picked up a guitar at the age of 5 and currently has 3 rock-bluesy albums under his belt (majority of which are instrumental). He's been in bands such as Zero, Alien Chutney, Helga's Fun Castle, and performed with the likes of Karsh Kale, Ankur & The Ghalat Family, Tejas Menon and more. In this episode we try to understand what inspires Warren's music, his years in Auckland before he came back to India, his most recent record - The Universe Has A Strange Sense of Humour, using chaddies as a pop-filter, and refrigerating a overheated computer while producing an album. We also have Warren interrupting his own performances in the studio to explain his songs. Also on the lineup is indie folk singer-songwriter Jishnu Guha aka Short Round, who released his debut EP Desperate Times recently, and came to the studio to perform on Maed in India. His #StrippedDown Session is the opening act this week. Jishnu 'Short Ro

Indian-born/Toronto-based pop singer Rebecca Nazz popped into the studio to bring you her latest EP, Loved. We talk about everything from her cheesy lyrics, to working with Grammy-nominated producers, helping empower young teens, and we even dug up a little of her past where she's collaborated with Apache Indian on a bhangra-dance-pop track? Songs performed are: Ordinary Girl Too Late Step http://www.rebeccanazz.com/

Shy and unassuming singer-songwriter Vernon Noronha bares his soul and his guitar in this week's episode of Maed in India. Performing since 2011 he's released numerous singles, and now his debut EP, Closer To Home, sees Vernon at his most vulnerable as his songs talk of love, loss and a lunchbox. Songs performed are: Sunrise With Candlelights As The Ship Sails Come Back Jack https://soundcloud.com/vernon-noronha https://www.facebook.com/VernonNoronhamusic/

Starting out as a college band, and recording their album while they lived in different cities, Mumbai indie rock act The Fringe Pop have found a way to keep their musical ambitions alive regardless of lineup changes, and working full-time jobs. Having released their debut album, 'If You Haven't Noticed Yet' a couple of years ago, they are now working on new stuff and they are performing on Maed in India this week. Songs performed are: Dilrooba Little Mistake Come Home Again The Fringe Pop (indie rock, post-punk group from Mumbai) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fringe-Pop https://thefringepop.bandcamp.com/

We bring you the 2nd part of the #MaedinIndia episode special with indie music scene stalwart, Arjun S Ravi, music journalist, editor of Indecision & NH7.in, and director at OML. In this half of our chat we talk about festivals, music venues, his plans for 2016 and I irritate him about his short-lived "band". He also throws in the rest of his indie music picks that kindled his curiousity for local Indian independent artists. Medicis (nu-metal band from Auroville, Pondicherry) Song: Dead of Night http://nh7.in/medicis/ Helga’s Fun Castle (pop rock act from Mumbai) Song: Mr.Fancypants Album: Thank You Come Again http://nh7.in/helgasfuncastle/ Split (alternative rock act from Mumbai) Song: Fat Oaf Album: Counting Perfume https://www.facebook.com/splitsplit The Supersonics (post-punk act from Kolkata) Song: Move in https://www.facebook.com/thesupersonics http://soundcloud.com/thesupersonics

In a new episode special of #MaedinIndia, Mae picks indie scene stalwarts to give their pick of Indian indie music they love and play it across the show. This week's guest is Arjun S Ravi, music journalist for over a decade, editor of Indecision & NH7.in, director of Only Much Louder and my old boss. He talks about being a music geek & journalist, why he thinks your band sucks,NH7.in, and his new docu-series Standing By (that chronicles the Indian indie music since the 1920s). He also takes me through his playlist of songs that triggered his fanboy-love for the independent music scene in India. Songs: Zero (alternative rock band from Mumbai) Song: Hate in Em Album: Procrastination http://nh7.in/zero Pentagram (electro-rock act from Mumbai) Song: Ten Album: Up https://www.facebook.com/pentagramindia/ Medusa (progressive metal band from Mumbai. Now known as electro-rock act Sky Rabbit) Song: Beep Off https://www.facebook.com/helloskyrabbit Lounge Piranha (post-rock band from Bangalore) Song: Ebb Album:

Chennai indie rockers The F16's popped over for a chat and played some tunes on this episode of Maed in India. They've released two EPs so far - 'Kaleidoscope' (Chennai) and 'Nobody's Gonna Wait' (Converse Rubber Tracks Studio in Brooklyn) - and they're working on their new album, Triggerpunkte at Cotton Press Studios. Songs performed are: Cannibal Life Blackboard Jacuzzi The F16s (Chennai Indie rock act) https://soundcloud.com/the-f16s https://www.facebook.com/thef16s

It's an eruption of new music on Maed in India Ep.37 this week with a debut EP out by Bombay singer-songwriter Vernon Noronha, along with a single from nu-disco DJ/Producer Jai Vaswani aka Nanok, and multi-instrumentalist/composer & one of the pioneers of the Asian Underground sound Karsh Kale is out with a new album featuring him singing for once! Also in the soup is a recommendation by buddy, musician and fellow podcaster from Geekfruit, Tejas Menon - Pune act Easy Wanderlings; a stripped down session by Chennai indie rockers The F16s and a song that #MaedMyDay by guitar genius Warren Mendonsa aka Blackstratblues. The Wayfarer's Lyric (Bangalore pop rock singer-songwriter & composer Rajeev) Song: Need To Be With You Now Album: Vagrant http://rajeev.me/ https://thewayfarerslyric.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thewayfarerslyric Karsh Kale (Multi-instrumentalist, composer & producer) Song: Up Album: Up www.karshkale.com Vernon Noronha (Bombay singer-songwriter) Song: Come Home Jack EP: Clo

In this episode of #MaedInIndia, Bombay blues rock band, The Tripp join Mae in the studio to talk about how they met, their Catholic wedding band image, their first single, having 3 guitarists, and their upcoming debut release. The songs performed are: Minor Blues She's On My Mind Madness Stalk The Tripp here: https://www.facebook.com/thetripp77 https://twitter.com/thetripp77 https://soundcloud.com/the-tripp

This episode of #MaedinIndia has Mae throwing down her selection of songs, indie scene news and new releases. We have tunes from a man who's trying to create India's first reggae soundsystem, electro-rock from Delhi, a Shillong band rehashing a single for republic day, free music from garage & glitch hop producer Ankur Chauhan, along with an artist that #MaedMyDay (and has a new album in the works), and a teaser to the next week's show. Delhi Sultanate (Reggae & dancehall rapper & MC from Delhi) Song: Lighters Up Album: India 2 Africa Bootleg https://www.facebook.com/delhisultanatemusic/ https://soundcloud.com/delhi-sultanate Fuzzculture (electro-rock duo from Delhi) Song: Astronomy Album: No https://www.facebook.com/fuzzculture/ https://soundcloud.com/fuzzculture Street Stories (punk rock act from Shillong) Song: Stuck in Today https://www.facebook.com/streetstoriesband/ https://www.reverbnation.com/streetstories The Tripp https://www.facebook.com/thetripp77/ https://soundcloud.com/the-tripp

This latest episode will be the first of the new format of #Maedinindia where we have an interview and acoustic session with reggae/funk/drum and bass band, Bombay Bassment. We have Bobcat (MC & rapper), Ruell (guitar), Levin (drums & percussion) & Chandu (samples & djembe). They bully Mae to no end; talk about how they met; Ruell's wedding band career & stream of girlfriends; their long overdue double-produced debut; future plans and Chandu's big revelation about the inner workings of the band. The songs they performed include: Put 'em Up Pump It Up Miss Goody-Goody Stalk them here: www.facebook.com/BombayBassment www.twitter.com/BombayBassment www.soundcloud.com/bombay-bassment

Bringing you some girl power, I’ve got sultry funk & blues singer-songwriter Gowri, who talks about her various avatars from Kozmi Cow to Mama Kitty to Pulpy Shilpy to Run Pussy Run. She also reveals that this year is the year for her releases. Also on the line up is a Stripped Down session by Bombay Bassment, a teaser to next week’s episode, and songs that highlight the solo singer-songwriter work of Junkyard Groove frontman, Ameeth Thomas and Bone Broke vocalist, Dinkar Dwivedi. Dinkar (Bombay singer-songwriter & guitarist) Song: Past The Stones https://soundcloud.com/dinkar-dwivedi/past-the-stones Ameeth Thomas (Chennai rock singer) Song: Beautiful Crime https://www.facebook.com/ameeththomasmusic/ Bombay Bassment (reggae, funk, & drum and bass band from Bombay) www.bombaybassment.in Gowri (blues & funk singer songwriter) https://www.facebook.com/kozmicow

This episode of Maed In India, we have Mumbai-based punk band, Punk On Toast. Find out how they formed the band, their debut EP 'For Hire', the punk music scene on India, and acoustic punk tunes performed live in studio. Also featured on this episode are Bangalore progressive rock act, 30 Ton Capacity, Delhi indie-folk band, Run It's The Kid with a song #JustOut and a #StrippedDown version of a song by Blushing Satellite. 30 Ton Capacity Song: Cottonmouth EP: Season One Episode Nil https://www.facebook.com/30toncapacity/ https://soundcloud.com/30ton-capacity Run It's The Kid Song: Love We're Made From Porcelain Album: Run It's the Kid https://www.facebook.com/RunItsTheKid/?fref=ts https://soundcloud.com/run-its-the-kid Blushing Satellite https://www.facebook.com/Blushingsatellitemusic/?fref=ts https://blushingsatellitemusic.bandcamp.com/releases Punk On Toast https://www.facebook.com/punkrockmumbai/?fref=ts https://www.reverbnation.com/punkontoast

On this week's episode of Maed in India, I have hip hop artist Ankur aka Enkore on the bill, as he talks to me about finding his muse, his debut album Libra Scale, his show Voice Of The People & his mom. Also featured are Delhi jazz guitarist Aditya Balani who's latest record has him on vocals, a stripped down session from two strapping gentleman, & a song from a recent EP by multi-instrumentalist Jose Neil Gomes. Aditya Balani (Delhi jazz guitarist/composer/songwriter) Song: Sky High Album: Constants & Variables http://adityabalani.com/ https://www.facebook.com/adityabalani/ Bombay Acoustic People (instrumental acoustic guitar duo from Mumbai) https://www.facebook.com/bombayacousticpeople http://bombayacousticpeople.bandcamp.com/ Jose Neil Gomes (multi-instrumentalist & singer-songwriter from Mumbai) Song: Mr Candyman Album: Sensitive EP https://www.facebook.com/joseneilgomes https://soundcloud.com/stitchinnine Enkore (rapper & MC from Bombay) http://thisisenkore.com/

For the first show of the year 2016 and my landmark episode 30, it’s time for a Best of Acoustic special, where from Ep.14 till now you get to hear the finest artists this country has to offer. I will also bring you a teaser to next week’s episode that features Mumbai rapper & MC, Ankur aka Enkore. Listen to a buffet of delectable acoustic sessions performed live on Maed in India.  Prathamesh Tambe (indie folk-blues singer-songwriter) https://www.reverbnation.com/prathameshtambe https://www.facebook.com/Box.King.Tarantula Zoya Mohan (indie folk singer-songwriter) http://www.zoyamusicofficial.com/ Tejas (acoustic pop singer-songwriter) http://tejasmenon.com/ Ronit Sarkar (Indie pop artist) www.awkwardbong.com Alisha Pais (singer-songwriter) https://www.facebook.com/paisslick Jose Neil Gomes (multi-instrumentalist & singer-songwriter from Mumbai) https://www.facebook.com/joseneilgomes https://soundcloud.com/stitchinnine/sets/systematic-ep Nirmika Singh (Hindi singer-songwriter) https://www.facebook.co

Appeasing my South Indian soul this episode is fusion duo Filter Coffee - a drummer & a flutist who create Indian classical foliage across electronica landscapes. Also on the line up is some alternative rock reminiscent of a Limp Bizkit era by Modern Mafia; an instrumental post punk crew from Bangalore; and an extra goodie from fusion rock act Anand Bhaskar Collective. Modern Mafia (Bombay alternative rock act) Song: Gunslinger http://modernmafia.in/ Until We Last (Bangalore post-rock band) Song: Creation EP Earthgazing https://untilwelast.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.facebook.com/untilwelast/ Anand Bhaskar Collective (fusion rock band from Mumbai) @anandbhaskarcollective www.facebook.com/AnandBhaskarCollective Filter Coffee (fusion duo from Mumbai) https://www.facebook.com/filtercoffeemusic/

Tamil rapper Sofia Ashraf is the headliner on today’s show as she talks about her claim to fame 'Kodaikanal Won’t’, Justice Rocks, saving a tree, & ice-cream sandwiches. Also on the bill are Kolkata indie pop-rock outfit that talk about young love in their debut record, and new avatar of an older band from Kolkata that are doing mellower alt-rock. I’ve also got an extra acoustic ditty for you from Zoya Mohan whose performed on Maed in India in Ep.20 previously. Candy Cloud Consipracy (Kolkata indie pop-rock act) Song: Isn’t Just A Dream Album: Make Believe https://soundcloud.com/candy-cloud-conspiracy https://www.facebook.com/ConspiracyCandy/ Zoya Mohan (indie folk singer-songwriter) http://www.zoyamusicofficial.com/ Write in Stereo (Kolkata alternative rock band) Song: Moby https://www.facebook.com/writeinstereo/ https://soundcloud.com/dhruv-sarker/write-in-stereo-moby Sofia Ashraf (Tamil rapper) https://www.facebook.com/sofia.ashraf https://twitter.com/leeterature

For my birthday week, I’ve got musician and Rolling Stone deputy editor, Nirmika Singh headlining this episode with music from her brand new unreleased record. More music on the show includes tunes by one of the most prolific bands in the independent scene, Bangalore rockers Thermal And A Quarter, a stripped down session with singer-songwriter Alisha Pais, a brand new song by Chennai punk rock act The Broadway Addicts. Thermal And A Quarter (Funk & blues rock band from Bangalore) Song: This is it Album: This is it http://thermalandaquarter.com/ Alisha Pais (Blues rock & soul singer-songwriter) https://www.facebook.com/paisslick The Broadway Addicts (punk rockers from Chennai) Song: Running With The Gun Album: No Act https://www.facebook.com/TheBroadwayAddicts/ Nirmika Singh (Hindi singer-songwriter) https://www.facebook.com/nirmika.singh

Another Malayali added to my indie music collection is singer-songwriter Rohit Vasudevan who came all the way from Pune to be on my show. Along with him we have a stripped down session by alt rockers from Mumbai Last Remaining Light, a haunting song #MaedAbroad by indie folk singer from London, Luke Sital Singh & a track from a 2009 debut album by an electronica collab duo called Bramfatura. Bramfatura (electronica duo from Mumbai) Song: Only Just ft Cherry Fernandes Album: Demos http://bramfatura.bandcamp.com/ http://www.facebook.com/bramfatura https://soundcloud.com/bramfatura-edm Last Remaining Light https://www.facebook.com/lastremaininglight http://lastremaininglight.bandcamp.com/releases Luke Sital Singh Song: Luna http://www.lukesitalsingh.com/ Rohit Vasudevan https://www.facebook.com/rvdiaries/

Our headliner is Hindi fusion rock act Anand Bhaskar Collective, where we end up talking about the stages of women’s anger, Anand’s sexy voice, Malayali accents, their debut record Samsara, and they even perform an unrecorded track from their next release. Also on today’s episode is a song Maed Abroad by M.I.A (Sri Lankan/London rapper)’s drummer Kiran Gandhi, a song Just Out by Chennai electronica project Sapta, and a track from Mumbai pop rockers The Colour Compound.   The Colour Compound Song: Rearrange Album: From Where We Stand www.facebook.com/thecolourcompound/ @thecolourcompound   Sapta Song: Deen ft Sofia Ashraf & Mali @sapta www.facebook.com/saptamusic/   Madame Gandhi Song: Wazey kirangandhi.com/ @madamegandhi   Anand Bhaskar Collective (fusion rock act from Mumbai) @anandbhaskarcollective www.facebook.com/AnandBhaskarCollective