We’re not trying to become like anyone else or copy anyone — we’re just focused on finding our own sound, say the members of OutStation, a new Indian boy band, when asked about the frequent comparisons with BTS and One Direction. The five-member group — Bhuvan Shetty, 22, from Udupi; Hemang Singh, 20, from Prayagraj; Mashaal Shaikh, 21, from Goa; Kurien Sebastian, 20, from Delhi; and Shayan Pattem, 17, an army kid from Hyderabad — is among the latest entrants to India’s music scene, having opened for Akon at a massive Mumbai concert last November before releasing their debut single Tum Se soon after. The band, which performed in Hyderabad recently, spoke to us about their journey so far and the bond they share.‘It all started at the boot camp in Goa’The journey began with an online audition, curated by Grammy-nominated Indian-American songwriter-producer Savan Kotecha in collaboration with two global music companies. “It was actually Savan’s idea, and he was closely involved from the very beginning,” says Mashaal. He adds, “We came across the audition on Instagram and applied, along with thousands of others. After multiple rounds, we found out we’d made it to the top 12. Those selected were taken to Goa for an intensive, month-long boot camp that began in May last year.”Kurien notes, “The training was rigorous — our days started at 7 am and often went on till 10 pm, with fitness sessions, followed by performance, vocal and dance training, along with workshops, photoshoots and industry interactions. Every weekend, we had showcases where our progress was graded through a point system.” ‘We’re more like brothers than bandmates’Talking about their bond offstage, Mashaal says, “We stay together in a 5BHK in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai, and our music practice is never planned — it’s very random and organic. One person starts playing or singing, someone else joins in, and suddenly all five of us are jamming. Someone just walks out of their room humming a tune and it turns into a full-on session. There’s always music happening at home. Most days it’s training, dance and rehearsals, but whenever we get free time, we just end up making music together.”Shayan adds, “What’s crazy is that we were complete strangers when we first met at the boot camp. Living, training and struggling together for months really changed that — now we’re more like brothers than bandmates.”‘Learning classical changed how we see our voices’Opening up about exploring new styles and sharpening their craft, Shayan says, “We’ve recently started learning both Indian classical and Western music. It’s a whole new experience for us.” “Both styles help in different ways. I learnt Indian classical when I was very young, then switched completely to Western. Now that I’ve come back to classical, I realise how useful it is. Coaches work around our voice and explore where it can go. Combining both feels like the perfect blend,” he adds. The impact, he says, is already showing up in their everyday routine. “Take Hemang, for example — he’s always doing his riyaaz. We don’t even call him Hemang anymore, we call him Re Sa Ri Sa Ni. The moment he wakes up or walks out of his room, he’s practising,” he laughs. ‘Our band name is rooted in who we are’When asked about the idea behind the name OutStation, the group says it’s a nod to their different hometowns and their journey from small-town dreamers to rising pan-India pop artistes in Mumbai. “It has a bigger meaning for us,” Mashaal and Hemang add. “The word ‘outstation’ itself feels very Indian. We’ve all used it growing up, like telling our teachers in school, ‘I’m outstation, I can’t come.’ It’s such a desi term.” Agreeing to it, Bhuvan Shetty concludes, “So the name felt personal and authentic. The world may not fully get it, but every Indian instantly understands it — and that’s what makes it special for us.”– Biswajit Talukdar
