A new boy band comprising members from across India, brought together by Grammy-nominated producer Savan Kotecha, will make its big debut in Mumbai this weekend
(From left) Kurien Sebastian, Bhuvan Shetty, Mashaal Shaikh and Hemang Singh of OutStation
The newest boy band on the block, OutStation, are a tough lot to interview. Untrained in media speak — refreshingly so, in a sea of PR-doctored interactions — their carefree attitude reminds us of John Lennon’s straight-faced quip: “I turned left at Greenland,” when asked how he found America on The Beatles’ first trip to the USA. Our interaction is a rollercoaster to sit through, but equally fun.
They might not have ‘turned left at Greenland’, but Bhuvan Shetty from Udupi, Hemang Singh from Prayagraj, Mashaal Shaikh from Goa, Kurien Sebastian from Delhi, and Shayan Pattem from Hyderabad, are all camping far from home in a BKC apartment leading up to their big debut in the city of dreams this weekend. A prom-style event will see the band officially put their music out in the world.
The group rehearses a dance routine. PICS COURTESY/@weareOUTSTATION
Brought together through a nationwide talent hunt by American-Indian producer Savan Kotecha, who has worked with the likes of One Direction and Ariana Grande, the big break will mark the end of a long journey: an online audition, trial rounds, a bootcamp in Goa, followed by months of camping together in Mumbai. “We’d wake up at 7 am, work out, learn dance, make music, sleep, and repeat,” recalls 17-year-old Shayan, the youngest member. Clearly, the boys don’t just want to sound the part, but also look it.
Surprisingly, none of the self-trained musicians set out to join a band. “I was in the fourth year of my engineering degree, when I decided to drop out and be a part of this,” reveals Singh. “For me, the moment I hit 1000 followers on Instagram, I texted my ex-employer I was quitting. They didn’t exactly enjoy that,” Shaikh laughs. With a green flag from their parents, help from Kotecha’s record label Visva, in partnership with Universal Music India and Republic Records, the boys are now carving a niche with their original Hindi pop-rock love songs.
Shayan Pattem
“Coming to Mumbai was always a dream,” says Delhi-raised Kurien. “Kurien loves heading to Juhu Beach. We can’t figure out why. It’s almost eight kilometres from home,” the group erupts in laughter. “It’s barely a beach, to be honest,” quips Goa-based Shaikh. The group wasn’t always this cheery, we learn. “For the first two days at the camp, Kurien didn’t speak a word. It was extremely awkward. You might be the first person he’s opening up to,” Pattem reveals. Shetty, a Kannadiga at heart, confesses his broken Hindi held him back before his bandmates turned in-house instructors.
If we know one thing about boy bands, it’s that the fangirls are never too far behind. The group jolts into action when we mention the prospect. “We already have a fandom. We performed a few pilot pop-ups in McDonald’s outlets across cities to test the waters. The audience loved us. One of them even sent us a pencil sketch after the show. We have it framed on our wall,” Shetty reveals. The boys might have held the fan ‘spell’bound, we’re afraid. “She spelled our name wrong, but it’s the thought that counts, right?” Shaikh reasons.
Savan Kotecha
As much as they sound, look, and act like a few boy bands we can think of, they have no aspirations to be the Indian BTS or One Direction. “We make music that pleases us. Even with our sound, we want to bring a distinct Indian-ness to it. We’re not following a blueprint,” they reveal. We leave the boys to find their voice before the big day with a parting question, “Where will we see you in five years?” If we were wearing a hat, we’d tip it to Shaikh’s prompt reply: “Everywhere!”
ON November 8; 4 pm
AT Rustomjee Crown, Gokhale Road, Prabhadevi.
LOG ON TO @weareoutstation
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