Hello Antariksh – An Indie Drummer’s Account

Arko Ganguly — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 21:08:01 +0000

Hey..

Hello folks, hope this finds you in fantastic health. This is a personal account of being introduced to and joining Antariksh as their drummer. Prior to officially meeting anyone from the band, I had heard of them from fellow indie rock musicians. “Yaar, unkey sath session bajaatey waqt mujhey proper notes banaaney padhtey hai (I need to make proper notes while playing sessions with them), they have some very progressive parts in their set!”. I can’t remember who I heard this from, but it definitely left a mark on me!

Meeting Varun

Much time passed after this incident and in 2018 I decided to move to Mumbai. Shrikant (guitarist @ Antariksh) and I, having been friends since school, wished to work on an original before I switched cities. We were meeting and jamming one fine evening at Green Box (our usual jam pad) when Varun walked in towards the end of our rehearsal. I was delighted to meet the main man behind the notable Indie rock act, but the conversation was short lived. And in a few days, I left for Mumbai.

The release of quest

All went well until dear COVID took the human world down to its knees! I was compelled to wind up, go back home and wait. It was during this period that I came across a story. Antariksh was heading towards a mighty collaboration and Varun posted a story asking people to guess who it might be. Two out of the four options were Marty and Petrucci! (read more about this collaboration here) I was absolutely stoked to read it and began to follow their release. Eventually as Quest was premiered, I fell for the song. The combination of diverse genres and time applications fascinated me. Marty’s solo shook my brains! And the fact that Shrikant nailed a melodious piece right after Marty’s blew my mind! What a feeling it must be to have your solo featured right next to the guy’s you worshipped as a child. Incredible achievement for him and the entire band.

Little discoveries

I discovered the other originals with time and was very happy to learn Antariksh was making such a difference in the Indian indie rock scene. Post Covid when I returned to Delhi, Shrikant asked me if I’d be willing to play with them. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to succeed Dan and Vaibhabh on the throne. Honestly, I sat myself down on the kit to practice for hours so I could justify the sound and play Dan’s incredible parts in every original. Dan, if you are reading this, take a bow! The jams and time spent on the kit did pay off and I am now here at the Antariksh work station typing down my time with them.

Being the part

Chatting with Varun regularly has been very enlightening as he walks me through the entrepreneurial side of making art. Their music is surely promising, but the finesse with which Varun handles all backend work at the Antariksh camp promises a fine future to the band.

I have lived as an artist for a decade now and believe a coherent set of people with the same goals can achieve the impossible. In plain words, Antariksh should be topping all charts and being named one among the greatest indie rock bands from India. Please don’t consider that to be my ego. It is a dream all musicians have while growing up. All I am hoping here is for that dream to turn true! In fact, you must become a part of our dream too! Listen to our music and crash our gigs! Love us, criticise us, help us grow! Help indie music in India grow! We will be more than pleased to have you walk with us.