Thank you so much for joining us Rachit! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I’ve always found myself drawn towards the independent music scene. In a country as culturally rich and diverse as India, it’s nearly impossible to come up with a singular definition for its musical leanings. As our cultural reach has expanded, in the advent of the modern global economy, our musical evolution has been touched by the influences of legendary artists across the globe. I remember being heavily influenced by the awe-strikingly modern sound of bands like The Yellow Diary and The Local Train, who successfully managed to feel contemporary without breaking the deep-rooted traditions of classical Indian music. My prime philosophy with music is that it brings joy to people at their lowest. The potential to lift someone’s day by sharing my art with the world is a greatly exciting prospect. If I can achieve that goal within even the smallest of niches, I will consider this journey successful.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started doing music?
Through the past few years in college, I’ve always managed to stay in touch with my music. I’ve been fascinated by a variety of genres and artists, and I’ve always had an insuppressible urge to pen down every emotion I felt. Every conflict I dealt with was solved lyrically, so to speak. I remember one particular day, where I was stuck in an interminably dull lecture, and I just turned to the back of my notebook and began writing like a man possessed. The words flew onto paper like magic, and my first single was born. I later released that record as ‘Lamhe’, earlier this year. I suppose in some strange way, my boring lecture drove me to my most fulfilling creative endeavour thus far.
Which tips would you recommend to the upcoming artists in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
The most important virtue for every up and coming artist is patience. I have seen far too many of my peers attempt to break their way into the industry for all the wrong reasons. They seem to want all the money, fame, and prestige that comes with the ‘musician’ tag without actually putting in the strenuous hours. Another big mistake that I often see people make is rushing into the production process. A large number of independent artists are overwhelmed by even the tepidest of responses and rush into producing a thousand other songs without pausing to reflect. I have gained many invaluable insights into my process as an artist by taking my time with self-reflection. Always prioritise the quality of the content you put out over quantity. The feedback you receive from the people who support you is the most important part of your road to improvement. No one can truly claim to be a good artist if they do not grow consistently.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
There is an innumerable number of people that have helped me get to where I am. The first big platform that my music had was our annual college fest, and I owe a great deal to the Core Committee members. My classmates, friends, and many acquaintances who have shared my music far and wide have been essential contributors to my success. Every single person that has listened to my music has been essential to my rise. With my initial release of Rang, I felt incredibly lucky to have the impeccably robust support system that I did. I have been incredibly lucky in that respect.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
In the limited success that I have experienced, I hope to contribute as much as I can to the greater good. As the world currently suffers from this unconscionable pandemic, I have chosen to donate my earnings from Spotify to an excellent venture started by the Indian government known as the PM-CARES fund. I hope that I can make a difference to those who need it in these troubling times.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that was relevant to you in your music life?
‘Everything happens for the best.’
At moments of absolute despair and failure along the way, this quote has really pulled me through. Often good things fall apart so better things can come together. My first single Rang was rejected by a great number of labels. Despite the continuous rejection, I continued to push myself to make music. The long hours and lack of gratification often pushed me to the brink. My patience and resolve were heavily tested, but I pushed through because I truly believed that brighter days were on the horizon. Eventually, most of the same labels that passed on Rang loved my second single, Lamhe. It can sometimes be difficult to understand why certain things happen the way they do, but I can tell you from experience that everything I went through happened for a reason.