USA Rock & Roll in India

Does Rock & Roll resonate in the remote areas of India? I have written before of the universality of music, and how music from the USA has enjoyed a great deal of international success and airplay. In today’s NY Times, we get a glimpse into a small village in India called Shillong (pop. 260,000) and the numerous rock & roll shows that occur in this area. USA rock & roll not only resonates, but is revered in cities like Shillong and other cities throughout the world.

For music listeners in the USA, as a whole, we prefer our music in English. But overseas, you must really look out the window while riding in a car to know you are in a foreign country. Because if you were just to rely on what was playing on the radio, you could be in New York, Mumbai, or Lima.

So at this recent rock festival in Shillong, India, local bands covered songs such as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. The article describes Indian’s hearing ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ for the first time and really connecting with the song. One quote from a participant sticks out, “Rock music is the right medium for expressing our frustrations, our disappointments, our anger.”

What I find interesting about this music festival is that local bands are covering the songs. The USA bands are not going to India to perform the songs themselves. There is obviously the demand, but few bands willing to supply their songs live. It strikes me that India would be a country with a large enough section of the population that would gladly part with their hard earned money in order to see their favorite bands perform the songs these Indian’s are hearing on the radio and that are resonating so deeply.

This is the line of work I want to enter. To be the person arranging for bands in the USA to meet the demand of live music around the world. In countries like India, few USA bands make the trip. I would like to change that.

Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com