5 women Who Made a mark on indie music scene
Happy Women’s Day! Today, we shout out to the incredible women rocking the Indian indie music scene! Forget waiting for mainstream news to catch on – these ladies are making headlines themselves with their mind-blowing talent. They’re crushing it and redefining what indie music in India can be!
Tipriti Kharbangar
Tipriti Kharbangar, affectionately known as Tips, is a shining star in India’s music scene, particularly in a genre not commonly associated with the country: blues. Growing up in Shillong, she discovered her love for music early on, mastering the guitar and honing her vocal skills. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she joined the band Soulmate.Despite the odds stacked against her – both for being a woman in music and for championing a non-mainstream genre – Tipriti persevered.
Her talent and passion earned Soulmate accolades and an opening slot for Carlos Santana. With a career spanning over two decades, Tipriti inspires, showing that good music transcends genre and gender. As Tipriti herself says, “the journey was tough… I’m glad it’s not that way anymore and Indians have actually started enjoying the genre a lot.”
Irfana Hameed
Irfana’s musical journey started in Kodaikanal, where she first explored traditional Carnatic music. Her love for music shifted when she discovered Eminem. During the pandemic, she tried her hand at rap with a friend, leading to a successful song that completely blew up. While studying political science and government, Irfana delved into hip-hop, influenced by discussions on community and power. She finds inspiration in India’s identity struggles, believing music can change things.
She made history as the first female artist signed by Def Jam Recordings India, showcasing her journey from enthusiast to hip-hop star. She reflects, “The situation in India is all about identity; there’s a lot of discrimination and oppression. I can relate to that, based on my own personal identity.” She looks to the political systems she believes are the most impactful, finding strength in the belief that they “can actually change the way things are run.”
Aditi Ramesh
This lawyer-turned-singer has a unique style, blending her Carnatic classical training with jazz and hip-hop influences. Her sound is distinct and fresh, setting her apart from the crowd.She broke into the ‘scene’ over three years ago, but Aditi Ramesh remains one of the most underrated independent musicians in the country. Aside from being a solo artist, she has also been a part of amazing bands such as Ladies Compartment and Voctronica.She draws inspiration from a diverse group of women who broke barriers and expressed themselves authentically through music.
Besides crushing it with her soulful tunes, she also teaches Carnatic and Western vocals. Aditi’s music video for ‘Shakti’ was Rolling Stone India’s number one music video of 2021, showcasing her talent and creativity. While she continues to explore various sounds, her music maintains its distinctive blend of sensitivity, intimacy, and relatability. Aditi is a true example of a female independent artist breaking barriers and making her mark in the music industry.
Anoushka Maskey
Anoushka Maskey, a singer-songwriter from Sikkim now based in Navi Mumbai, kicked off her indie music journey in 2020 with the release of her debut album ‘Things I Saw In A Dream.’ This DIY collection of songs features comforting layers of acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. From starting out with online gigs, Anoushka has now made her mark on music festivals across the country. Her song “Most of the Days” was written during a challenging period when she felt overwhelmed by financial and emotional burdens, the song serves as a powerful reminder of Maskey’s strength and marks a departure from her usual musical style.
Rudy Mukta
Rudravajela Mukta has been into music practically forever, learning Carnatic vocals for about 13 years. In addition to singing Western vocals, she also mastered playing both the guitar and the ukulele, all on her own.But it wasn’t until May 2020 that she dipped her toes into the indie music scene. Known as Rudy Mukta in the artistic world, she’s swiftly become a standout in indie and R&B circles with her fresh, genre-defying sound.
Playing gigs and festivals across the country, she is now one of the top artists in India. Her debut EP, “Entropy,” showcases her all-around talent. She wrote, arranged, produced, mixed, and mastered the whole thing herself, using only Garageband. Inspired by strong women in the industry, Rudy Mukta continues to push boundaries and inspire others with her music.
Frizzell Dsouza
Ever since she emerged on the scene in 2020, singer-songwriter Frizzell D’Souza from Mangalore/Bangalore has been making waves with her gentle, acoustic-driven tunes. Frizzell has a knack for crafting heartfelt songs and catchy melodies. Despite juggling her studies in architecture, Frizzell has managed to carve out a niche for herself in the music scene. Leveraging the power of Instagram during the pandemic, she quickly grew her fanbase and garnered attention for her soulful tunes.
Notably, Frizzell has achieved significant milestones, including producing her own EP and earning recognition from Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 10 best EPs in India for 2022. Inspired by retro classics and indie music, Frizzell’s songs are filled with raw emotions that resonate with listeners across the country.
This is just a glimpse of the amazing women shaking things up in Indian music! They’re all about chasing their dreams and breaking barriers. Whether it’s bluesy tunes, hip-hop beats, or something totally new, these artists are blowing minds and making their own mark on the scene.
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