Mumbai based progressive Hindi band Paradigm Shift is known for its unique blend of western and Indian classical tunes. We got in touch with vocalist Kaushik Ramachandran to learn more about what international artists influence the band and what indigenous artists can learn from them.
What is the ideal way to develop a market for music that is a blend of western and Indian tunes?
Even if a group of 20 people like a certain kind of music it creates a certain curiosity. There is a market for any kind of music, in India or internationally. Of course, we have to be on social media platforms and do a lot of live shows for the music has to just reach the people.
Tell us about the sort of international artists who influence Paradigm shift.
Dream Theatre, Porcupine Tree, Tool…we listen to a lot of progressive music in addition to the Indian artists that influence us and we see to it we incorporate it into our songs, rather than making them generic and to the point.
Vocals apart, what role do th
e instruments play in blending western and Indian tunes?
Nikhil (Violinist, Paradigm Shift) and I come up with the Indian element of the music. Our bass guitarist and the drummer bring in the international influences. We kind of fuse these together, so you could call us a fusion band or a progressive band.
In terms of marketing yourself, what do you take from international progressive artists?
Be everywhere. Be omnipresent as you can. Upload your music on YouTube, Sound Cloud, Bandcamp etc. You need to try to be at places where every other progressive band internationally is trying to be. However the production there and the production here is completely different.
How so?
There the market, the acceptance and the people are completely different. You know, you need a PR agent; you need a record label etc. That happens internationally. That culture is still finite in India.
Here there is an undeniable Bollywood music monopoly in the country. It may get difficult for people who play other kinds of music but it is also an opportunity. You have your own crowd and your own fans that appreciate your music.
What sort of music do you listen to? Which international artists dominate your play list currently?
I listen to a lot of Bollywood, Indian Classical and International Progressive music. I am open to any kind of music that opens up my mind. Right now my playlist contains Porcupine Tree, Sleep Parade, Karnivool, DT, Tool and Enter Shikari.
