SPIN Magazine Looks at the Indian Rock Scene

The latest issue of SPIN magazine features a story on the Indian rock scene–and Nirali’s very own Arun Kale (founder of Split Magazine) is quoted in the piece. Entitled “Bombay the Hard Way,” the article takes you inside India’s headbanger underground. I love the story’s subhead: “India’s new headbangers just want to be heard, but first they must withstand monsoons, avoid terrorist attacks, and drive mom to the airport. Step into their loud new world.”

Arun was pretty instrumental to this story—he took journalist Phil Zabriskie around Mumbai and gave him all sorts of information on the rock scene. Here’s how Arun is quoted in the piece:

Four years ago, says Arun Kale, Mumbai-based editor of Split, an online magazine devoted to Indian rock, “bands that played their own music got booed.” … But while still far from the mainstream, says Kale, “[The scene] progressed to a place where everyone appreciates the music as long as it’s good. Before it was, ‘Okay, we’ll play Metallica and Slayer covers.’ That kept the crowds coming.”

Get your own copy of the magazine or just download the PDF here. In related news, Split will actually be re-launched tomorrow, and it will even feature an Internet radio station for Indian bands. Check it out!

— Ismat Sarah Mangla

1. October 29, 2006, 11:48 pm Hilal

   congrats, arun. i can’t wait to check *split* out!
2. October 30, 2006, 12:59 am Avalonian

   Ah..Split and Nirali..the beginning of a beautiful friendship…*sigh*
3. October 30, 2006, 12:38 pm Mili

   Rock on Arun!
4. October 30, 2006, 4:59 pm Arun

   Thanks Hilal, Mili

   Hilal: The new Split is launched. Check it out.
5. October 30, 2006, 5:02 pm Arun

   It was a lot of fun showing Phil (the writer of the article) and Scott (photographer) around.. took them to see a metal band jamming in their drummer’s house, and then all of us went to this nice restaurant called Mocha and spoke some more. Scott was telling us about his teenage years as a metalhead, and how his parents reacted to his first tattoo, heh.

   It would have been a lot better but for the incessant rain in the city at the time, but what the heck I’m featured in Spin! Yay!
6. October 30, 2006, 5:08 pm Dhrmil

   Arun, you are the man. Good stuff brother.
7. November 24, 2006, 5:13 pm Ritesh Mayekar

   Congratzzzzzzzzzzzz Arun

   Being featured in an international magazine .

   U are THE MAN \m/
8. May 24, 2007, 12:31 am KARAN

   ARUN SOME MORE GUYS LIKE CAN DO THE JOB. GREAT WORK DUDE…….KEEP BRINGIN’EM ON!! WHY ‘D YOU STOP