teamix #12 - Feburary 2020: Let's - how the kids say - Chill out a bit da

Humans and more importantly, friends,

Here we have for you, some lovingly packaged chill. We're all frantic, let's breathe and chill a bit. How have you been? (feel free to text and reply)

S: I've been good, works interesting, U&I challenging and exciting and social battery feeling a little happier.

R: Works hectic but I have been doing a lot of gigs and music festivals recently so overall having a nice little fun month. Had the chance to go for Control Alt Delete 12, Mahindra Blues Fest (where I got to see the legendary Buddy Guy's breathtaking performance) and Watch Zakhir Hussain play with the Symphonic Orchestra of India ft. Shakar Mahadevan, Hariharan and Kelley O’Connor in the same month while doing smaller indie gigs also.

That's all for our quick updates but we are super excited to introduce y'all to these babies, they're - how to say - fab.

Playlist on Spotify • Playlist on YouTube

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Deathcab - Ditty

Poetry Ceylon (2019)

If you haven't already heard this song as you're reading this, here is a little nugget you'll soon find out (as you're listening to this song that is) - Ditty is MAD talented. Aditi Veena - street name Ditty - is a Goa-based singer-songwriter. She is from Goa, so that makes her even cooler now. Not only did she make this mad track, but she does this as her after-work. She is an Urban Ecologist by day, and musician by night. What makes Ditty unique is the way she mixes her spoken word with an enchanting indie sound. The images her music brings to my mind is of a relaxed Sunday balcony, thoughts of brunch teasing my imagination. Her Album Poetry Ceylon plays like a conversation with the listener. The soothing indie tones seem to undercut her meaningful lyrics a little, though honestly, I can't claim I like her lyrics or sound more than the other. We're both looking forward to more from this wonderful artist!

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Sheets - Sabu

Sabu (2019)

Rohit, seemingly a standard appearance at any gig playing in his city/vicinity (how does he do it?), was once at a house gig called LVNG. He was there for a Taba Chake (another artist on this list!) gig when he heard Andrew Sabu for the first time. Sabu came on to play a quick few tracks, one of which was this one, Sheets. This self-titled EP talks about mental health and the journey each person takes, unique that these journeys are. In this track, Sabu speaks of feelings of worthlessness and burning out, and the desire to excape everything that comes with them. He refers to sleep as an escape, sheets being the source of comfort drawn when the head is not such a kindly place to be. The acoustic background is incredibly mellow and complements the lyrics really well.

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Thing About the Colour Blue - Cinema of Excess

Bring Back the Sound (2018)

The Bengaluru indie/acoustic trio featuring Anirudh Ravi, Bharath Kashyap, and Abheet Anand has been one of the few bands we have been tracking since their inception. Their tracks are easy-going (contrary to their quite hectic collab name) and filled with some great harmonies and vibes overall. Abheet provides a nice "thumpy" bassline for Bharath to just doodle some beautiful little grooves into while Anirudh mesmerizes us with that deep yet transcending voice. I keep turning to these homeboys on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Trust me! It's well worth it.

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E L F L (Everybody Looking for Love) - Azamaan Hoyvoy

E L F L (2019)

So Azamaan Hoyvoy has been referred to as the Jamiroquai of India, and tbh, you can really see why that is true. This song has it all, that classic Funk meets Jazz meets R&B, it's a beast. This track live, over a fine drink in a smoothly lit bar, with a cutie by your side? That's a Saturday night you won't forget. There are banger basslines, sly synths, bedazzling beat and hats that are higher than a kite (excuse the illterate sounding alliteration). It's a sing along clap along kinda track, and those are quite special. Azamaan delivers his lyrics really uniquely, and that blends them smoothly with the funky instrumentals. If you find yourself not grooving please contact us at whyareyoulikethis@listenagain.com

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Shaayad - Taba Chake

Bombay Dreams (2019)

That Ukelele right at the start tells you everything about the song that you need to know to continue listening to it - it's gonna be v nice. Rohit saw Taba playing at LVNG and is DAMN impressed with his tracks. Taba has some great range - he can sing in 3 languages, one of them being Nyishi, a tribal dialect from Nyishi in Arunanchal Pradesh. His tracks, like this one are upbeat and chilled out. A very refreshing sound overall. Cleanses the palate, so to speak. His lyrics are very impactful too! He sings of moving from a small village in Arunanchal Pradesh to Mumbai, and the struggles of a growing artist. 10/10 would recommend

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Glitch Love - Soother

Colours (2020)

The drummer for the Revisit Project, Faridkot, and Parikrama, Abhijit Sood is now also adopting a new persona as an electronic artist with the stage name Soother. This track features a lot of downtempo beats and glitchy effects, which we've come to enjoy. You can find the vocals acting like another layer in the beats and overall you can see the stark contrast to traditional electronic music of just a drop and some bass. Great chill track to vibe too. Can't wait to hear more from him.

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Green Tea - Curtain Blue, Komorebi

Green Tea (2020)

Komorebi (also goes by Tarana Marwah) makes some intense tracks, with even more intense beats. Absolute must check out, like, guarantee. Check here. This particular EP is the collaboration of Komorebi and Abhishek Bhatia (aka Curtain Blue), and together they create some very vibey synthwave sounds. The vocals have a nice way of blending into a slightly glitchy electronica type of a beat. With the promise of more tracks in the future, this is a definite on our 'to watch' list.

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ABC - 박혜진 park hye jin

IF U WANT IT (2018)

I've really enjoyed what korean music I've heard, and Rohit is a little skeptical in general he says, but we both agree that 박혜진 park hye jin is kinda wack. This k-house track features super chill downtempto beats and some dreamy piano lines. The vocals are also super eclectic and awesome. There is a beautiful underground feel to her tracks, which mix hip-hop and house to make a Bop, or a very forward-thinking sound (-R). There is also a nice pop-y feel to it.

Also, she happens to be the only artists not of Indian origin on this whole playlist xD

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Bright Eyes - Anoushka Shankar, Alev Lenz

Bright Eyes & In This Mouth

Oof, what a way to end. This song hits the gotdam soul, a deep reverberating tone right from minute 1. Anoushka Shankar, the genius, wrote this as a response to events in her personal life. It's portrayed in a brilliant and chilling manner. This track blends both Indian classical and western influences in a very interesting way, very unique. It is one of the most stirring tracks we've heard in a while. This blend of classical Indian vibes and instruments with the western-feel lyrics and storytelling is truly thrilling. Please, please check this one out.

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No doubt you all like some more than others, that's perfectly understandable, but we hope you'll look up the ones you like and find more tracks to chill to!! Kick ya feet up, breathe in that delicious chai steam, and groove away. Send link our way if you find something particularly tasty ;)

As always, I'm sure you know this already, but Rohit and I love chai. It's great, in so many ways and yeah, try it out more if you don't already. But other drinks are good too, of course, so grab the drink of your choice and enjoy this edition of teamix! :D

Rohit & Suchet