'A band that is infectiously happy.' - the band
Probably one of the only groups to literally define their genre of music as ‘happy,’ When Chai Met Toast is an electric yet breezy indie adventure born in Kochi and have been spreading an infectious, foot-tapping energy ever since. The four member-strong group is currently performing across cities as part of #THEFIGHTTOUR and took some time out to discuss their debut album, Joy of Little Things and answer a few offbeat questions about anything and everything music.
'Joy of Little Things reminds us to take happiness from and be thankful for the little things in life. Be it waking up at home to tea in bed, or singing in the shower at the top of your voice, these little things remind us to live our lives to the fullest and happiest possible! It is about finding happiness in the small nuances of home, family, the world outside, relationships and travel. Every song intends to do little happy somersaults in your head. It is a proper flushed out record bringing out a neo-folk sound and a lot of happy storytelling.'
From (l) to (r): Palee Francis (Keyboard), Achyuth Jaigopa (Guitar / Banjo), Ashwin Gopakumar (Vocals / Guitar), Pai Sailesh (Drums)
Deconstruct your sound in a sentence.
Four South Indian boys who met English folk and eastern roots.
Your three greatest idols, musically or otherwise?
We look up to a lot of people, taking inspiration musically and otherwise, so it wouldn’t be fair to narrow it down to just three.
Cities you'd love to tour?
London, Barcelona, Tennessee, Denver, New Orleans and the list goes on.
A live performance you wish you could attend?
Mumford and Sons.
Your dream arena to play at?
Royal Albert Hall and Madison Square Garden should be the ones, but we know there’s still a long way to go for that.
A music personality you wish were still alive?
Prince.
Three words you'd use to describe When Chai Met Toast?
Positive, heartwarming, simple.
Any unique pre-stage band ritual?
Talk and get nervous!
Most memorable fan interaction?
When we played at the Forum Mall in Bengaluru recently, there was this autistic kid with his sister at the mall and she came and told us that it is after a very long time that he started smiling and being happy and that he wanted to take a picture with us. So, that was one moment which triggers the whole positive fact that our music can actually make people happy.
What would you be doing, if you weren't making music?
Uber drivers (laugh). And Achyuth would still be in college.
Greatest album ever, according to you?
Any of the Beatles albums.
An existing song you wished you could have recorded instead?
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen.
Favorite music gig/concert you've attended?
Ashwin - Slipknot/ Madonna.
Achyuth - John Mayer.
Pai - Steven Wilson.
Palee - Gojira.
Watch the band’s latest music video ‘Fight’ here.
Text Shristi Singh