Strike a chord: In conversation with multilingual indie-folk band When Chai Met Toast about their journey and more

Comprising of lead vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar, guitarist Achyuth Jaigopal, keyboardist Palee Francis, and drummer Pai Saileshm, When Chai Met Toast is a multilingual indie-folk alternative band that will have you grooving in no time. We caught up with the band to talk about their journey and creative process.

Read on to know more!

Cosmopolitan India (CI): Tell us about your journey as musicians and what inspired you to come together as a band?

When Chai Met Toast (WCMT): All four of us were part of different bands during our school and college days. Back then, most of us were more into metal and progressive music. Fast forward to 2016, we found each other through mutual friends and the music circles of Kerala, and wrote our first song together. Our music tastes had evolved, the kinds of music we listened to had expanded, and each of us brought some unique influence to the table when creating together for When Chai Met Toast. Though it was unlike music any of us had made before, there was a sense of honesty and originality we all felt in the songwriting, guess that connected with people too.

CI: That one moment that truly brings you joy.

WCMT: Family is our greatest source of joy.  

CI: What is your process of blending energies and collaborating to create something fresh in
an already saturated music scene?

WCMT: When there’s a strong melody, lyric, motif, or all three already in place—then the job of making it
sound fresh is much easier. The process varies from song to song, with ideas originating anytime, anywhere. We record voice notes and develop the best ones at our studio in Kochi, Kerala. 

CI: Share a moment when you thought you’d finally made it.

WCMT: Making music is subjective, and there’s always a new aspiration pushing us forward.

CI: What are you most grateful for this year?

WCMT: This year, we completed our first full UK and US tours, with upcoming tours in Singapore and Australia. We’re very grateful to be able to share our music beyond borders.  

In the four-part 'Strike A Chord' series, Indian musicians open up about the changing music scene, their journey, inspiration, and the glimmer moments they’ve experienced.

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