India has largely been a country that loves its mainstream music. But recently, the homegrown indie music scene is reverberating across the country’s soundscape — its rising graph aligning with the rise of online streaming platforms.
One indie band that stands out is The Yellow Diary, which has quietly woven a tapestry of emotions, with melodies that don't just please but also remain with the listener. In less than four years, the band has struck a resonant chord with its audience. Comprising Rajan Batra, Himonshu Parikh, Harshvardhan Gadhvi, Stuart DaCosta, and Sahil Shah, the band's soul-stirring lyrics and music traverse the spectrum of feelings — its success marked by praise from industry veterans like Vishal Dadlani, Papon, Warren Mendonsa, and Raghu Dixit.
Himonshu Parikh, the keyboard maestro, told CNBC-TV18 that the band's music is a “reflection of self.”
"We truly feel these emotions that we're talking about in our music," he said.
In an exclusive interview, the band delved into its creative process and the profound connection it shares with the audience. “It's not just about crafting music; it's about creating an emotional resonance that lingers," he added.
The journey, which began in 2016, has been a crescendo of experiences and shared growth. Sahil Shah, the man behind the drum kit, reminisced, "From bandmates to friends and now being a big family... this journey has been very fulfilling, and we're only getting started." The band, which was formed as jam session over the years, has performed in renowned stages like Lollapalooza, NH7, and Mood Indigo in an arc has been nothing short of magical.
The Yellow Diary is literally what the name suggests — it's the way their songs are written, in a diary. The band's philosophy is to bring out life's emotions through their songs. The colour yellow is most often associated with happiness but it has many other meanings. Just as the shades of yellow range from dark to bright, the band's songs run the spectrum of emotions from grim to sunny.
The thought process behind making a song that people relate to
In the symphony of life, some songs become more than melodies — they morph into companions, ebbing and flowing with our emotions. The crafting of such tunes involves an intimate synthesis of lyrics and music that captures the essence of shared human experiences. Like a skilled storyteller, musicians infuse their creations with raw emotion, creating an authentic sonic tapestry that listeners can relate to.
But what exactly goes behind the making of songs that touch the soul?
"When we create a song, we only approach it from the emotion it is trying to convey, rather than fitting it into a genre," said Himonshu.
Rajan Batra, the lead vocalist, talking about the writing process said, "Our writing process is very experience-driven. So, Mann was literally written about that feeling when you start to fall in love."
The lockdown, a period of seismic change in the music industry, prompted The Yellow Diary to adapt to shifting paradigms. Stuart DaCosta, the band's bassist, reflected on this transformative phase: "There was this big boom in gigs just after lockdown, where we went a bit crazy and performed everywhere; revenge gigging, you can call it."
Their music became a cathartic release for both the band and their audience.
From 'Marz' to 'Mann'
The band's first song Marz was released in 2018 and in no time the song caught the hype to such an extent that musicians like Vishal Dadlani, Papon, Warren Mendonsa and Raghu Dixit looked up and applauded. After that, the band went on to create other soulful tracks like Tere Jeya Hor Disda, Buniyaad, Dheere Se and Rab Raakha, among others.
Stuart encapsulated their evolution from Marz to Mann: "We have definitely evolved so much since Marz. Over time we realised that we weren't bound to a specific genre." The Mann EP represents a sonic continuum, bridging old sounds with new aesthetics, showcasing the band's expansive emotional range.
Their latest album, Mann, which features tracks Mann, Kaun Mera and Sada, is a symphony of emotions associated with the exhilarating feeling of falling in love. Rajan shared the inspiration behind the song. "Mann was literally written about that feeling when you start to fall in love and find a crush." The accompanying video, a visual manifestation of the song's essence, captures the excitement and butterflies-in-the-stomach sensation of budding love.
What makes The Yellow Diary's music even more remarkable is its profound connection with Gen Z. Himonshu acknowledged this with humility, "It's beautiful to hear that. Gen Z is a really diverse and dynamic group of people, in tune with their emotions." The band's music becomes a universal language, resonating with listeners across age groups, serving as a backdrop for life's myriad experiences.
In a strategic move to deepen this connection with Gen Z, The Yellow Diary collaborated with influencers in their latest video for Mann. Rajan expressed the band’s motivation behind the collaboration, emphasising the young, fresh energy infused into the video. "As a song, Mann has this young, fresh energy about it. Like the start of something beautiful."
As The Yellow Diary navigates the ever-evolving landscape of music trends, Himonshu remains grounded in authenticity. "I feel like we aren't here to be trendy. I'm not even sure if we are trendsetters. But what we are, is in tune with our music, our expression of self, and our sincerity towards the art."
