Like many other bands, The Local Train started off with a few college kids passionate about making a full-time career in music. In Chandigarh, vocalist-acoustic guitarist Raman Negi met bassist Ramit Mehra, and things followed. They decided to focus on Hindi rock. The band’s name was randomly chosen when they recorded some demos and got offers to play at clubs and college festivals. Ten years, numerous live shows and two albums later, The Local Train has attracted a following of its own.
Besides Negi and Mehra, The Local Train comprises lead guitarist Paras Thakur and drummer Sahil Sarin. There were other members earlier, but this line-up stuck on after Thakur joined in 2011. “As far as possible, we tried to create original compositions. But earlier, when we didn’t have many, we did covers of our biggest influences like A.R. Rahman and Lucky Ali, adding our own twist,” says Negi.
In their school days, the band members listened to various groups from Nirvana, Aerosmith and U2 to Lucky Ali, Silk Route and Junoon. “Our influences are vast, including rock, jazz, Indipop and whatever. But we found a common ground,” says Mehra. Initially, the band concentrated on live shows in various parts of India. But as they kept developing their own material, the idea of an album came about. By then, they had moved to New Delhi.
Their debut release, Aalas Ka Pedh was released in 2015. The songs ‘ Aaoge Tum Kabhi ’ and ‘ Choo Lo ’ were already popular on the live circuit. The album was released with Ashish Manchanda’s Flying Carpet Productions in Mumbai, and was mixed and mastered by rock act Hoobastank’s drummer Chriss Hesse. “Its success prompted us to write more new material. But it’s been a struggle in a way, as we had to put money earned from shows into our recordings,” says Negi.
Two months ago, The Local Train released their second album, Vaaqif , which they recorded in New Delhi. The songs ‘ Khudi ’ and ‘ Dilnawaz ’ grabbed immediate attention. How do they approach their songwriting? Negi responds, “It’s a team effort. Though I write most lyrics, the structure could start with a vocal melody or a guitar line. We then go back and forth.” All band members admit their passion drives them. None are married. As Mehra jokes, “That requires a lot more money than we earn. Right now, we are having fun.”
The Local Train is the opening act for Indian Ocean this evening at 6.30 p.m. at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel; free entry, more details at insider.in
