2024 in Musical Numbers
Total Gigs Played:
25
Collaborations:
with more than 34 talented musicians
Top Collaborators:
Rohit: (10 gigs) Saxophone and multi-instrumentalist
Aniruddha: (6 gigs) Jazz guitarist, educator, composer
Namrata: (6 gigs) Fantastic singer, with a superb stage presence (and very good at getting shows)
Abhinav: (6 gigs) Backbone of TETRIS, handles sound, tech, and most importantly- Drums
Genres Explored:
Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop, and Bollywood
Venues Played:
Shisha Café (3 gigs)
Kyma (2 gigs)
Hard Rock Café (1 gig)
High Spirits (1 gig)
Swig KP (2 gigs)
Hyatt (1 gig)
Novotel (1 gig)
TOIT (1 gig)
AFMC (2 gigs)
Poona Club Golf Course (1 gig)
RSI Pune (2 gigs)
ECO Kalyani Nagar (1 gig)
ECO Baner (1 gig)
Thermax Corporate Events (2 gigs)
Grandmama’s Café (1 gig)
Woodwinds (1 gig)
Acai (1 gig)
Conrad (I)
Top Venues:
Shisha Cafe 3,
Swig 2,
ECO 2,
RSI 2,
AFMC 2,
Kyma 2,
Corporate stage 2.
Gear Spotlight:
Yamaha MX61 (14 gigs): The MVP
Yamaha PSR E473(4 gigs): My trusty portable arranger.
Ableton Launchkey(4 gigs): for playing, live sequencing and triggering. Now retired
Others: Rented or shared piano/keyboards at 3 gigs.
14th Feb RSI Gig
This gig was a special Valentine's Day show at the army club RSI. Rohit, a retired Lt Colonel, secured this opportunity through his connections, making it a unique experience. We heavily used tracks during the performance. This made me reflect on the pros and cons of using tracks in live performances. While they added a layer of richness to the sound, I couldn't help but wonder whether it was truly beneficial or if it detracted from the live music experience.
2nd and 8th March Elephant and Co. (ECO)
I played Women's Day gigs at ECO Kalyani Nagar and Baner with Khushi. We rehearsed at her place, and I experimented with my new Ableton Novation Launchkey to create backing tracks. Although the process was time-consuming, I used the keyboard to trigger karaoke tracks. The show mixed acoustic and backing tracks. My first brunch gig, was fun!
4th March Novotel
I played a wedding gig at Novotel with Rohit, where we performed as a duo—me on keys and him on saxophone. The set featured a mix of acoustic and track-based songs, and the crowd responded especially well to the upbeat, rhythm-driven tunes. Unfortunately, Rohit injured himself while setting up his gear, affecting his ability to play the saxophone comfortably, but despite this, we were able to deliver a solid performance.
26th March SWIG KP
I played a Sting Tribute show with Shreyas, Karan, Shivang, and Clynton. This gig was tough as I was learning challenging music while also trying to use Ableton Live in a band setup. Though the setup worked, there was a slight delay despite using a sound card. It looked fancy, but honestly, a PSR keyboard might have been a better choice.
15 April, Corporate shows
On 15th April, I played duo gigs at Thermax with Vaibhavi. It was a referral from one of my students whose husband was head of a company. We played two sets twice, one with Aniruddha and Gouri, and the other with Vaibhavi. The gig was a great learning experience as I had to manage communication, and payments, and ensure everyone was well taken care of. The people enjoyed the music and the vibe.
24th April, TOIT, Tetris and Namrata
Playing with Tetris is always a blast, and this gig featured Namrata on vocals, who is an amazing performer. She really knows how to engage the audience. This ended up being one of the most fun shows of the year, with a great crowd and overall vibe. While the performance could have been tighter, it was still a fantastic experience.
30th April, Tetris at Shisha International Jazz Day
This was a usual set with Tetris at Shisha. Later in the year, Shisha reduced the payment for bands, and the unfortunate car accident in Pune, where a Porsche driver killed two people, had a ripple effect on the hospitality and music industry.
21st June, MLTR Tribute at Shisha
It was my first rock gig at Shisha, and people really enjoyed the familiar tunes. However, it also marked the last time I used my Ableton controller live. During the final and most important song, a mishap occurred – my strings patch started sounding like a rotary organ, and I had no idea why. It was embarassing, as it kind of ruined the song. Thankfully, my bandmates, all seasoned musicians, handled it well. After that, I decided to stop using that setup for live shows.
23rd June, RSI Wedding Gig with Tetris and Namrata
This gig was held on a different stage due to the rain, but it turned out to be a fun show. Gauri was there, capturing photos and videos, which added to the excitement. I realized I need to pay more attention to how I present myself on stage – focusing on my posture, avoiding weird movements, and always keeping a smile.
8th August, AFMC
Olly Sir gets gigs at AFMC because he's also handling much of the event management. The other musicians, too, have decades of experience. This was my first gig with Chris, who is one of the best guitarists in the city. His ability to dive into any song, with Olly calling out the cues, was impressive. I, on the other hand, faced some challenges with changing tones and patches on my Yamaha MX61. A PSR keyboard might have been more efficient here. The gig went well, and the audience had a great time, dancing and enjoying the music.
22nd August, Hyatt
This gig was another one Rohit secured. While he sometimes performs solo, he prefers duo or trio setups. This one was with me and Vernon, who plays guitar, sings, and also handles sound at various venues around the city. The gig was laid-back, but we did face a couple of technical glitches with the tracks. Despite the issues, the show had a relaxed vibe. The audience, however, wasn’t particularly engaged with the music, which can happen at some events.
6th September, Conrad
This was a relaxed show, although it was a tough one for our singer, as her very close friend had passed away earlier that day. Despite the tough circumstances, she powered through and delivered a great performance. We wrapped up the gig, and went home early.
20th September, Shisha
This was a new setup for me, as I played jazz with a different line up. Kevin, who plays trumpet, secured the show. Originally, we had Uncle Raymond on guitar, but after he had an unfortunate fall, Dhruv stepped in. The performance went smoothly, and the audience enjoyed the vibe.
21st September, Hard Rock Cafe
AC, the singer, is a great performer who connects with the crowd, even dancing with them while singing. The music was mostly blues, so it wasn’t difficult to learn, but the venue’s sound was incredibly loud. My ears were hurting, and I had to play with cotton in my ears. Playing rock music at such high volumes isn’t my preferred style; I enjoy smaller setups.
29th September, High Jam at High Spirits
Sai invited me to play two songs with him at the High Jam, and I agreed. We rehearsed at Vishwa Jam, hosted at Khushi’s place. Vishwa Jam is a weekly event organized by Khushi’s dad, Randhir, who is also a drummer. It’s a fantastic gathering for the city’s music community, bringing musicians together to play, connect, and share a meal. It’s always a great vibe and an opportunity to meet new musicians.
11th October, Acai
Leslie got this gig and wanted a setup with keys and guitar. I invited Dhruv, and he agreed, though he couldn’t make it for rehearsals. It wasn’t an issue since the songs were the usual ones. Leslie and I went over the set once, and we pulled off the gig smoothly. Interestingly, it rained that evening, but the crowd showed up once the weather cleared. In hindsight, a PSR keyboard might have been a better choice for this performance.
19th October, Woodwinds
This gig had a warm, homely vibe. Rohit is promoting his space, Woodwinds Music and Events, which serves as a jam room, event venue, and teaching space. Tetris performed our usual set, and the audience loved it. The event was recorded, and we’ll upload the videos soon. Rohit and Prachi were excellent hosts, making everyone feel welcome. After the show, the band hung out, shared food and drinks, and wrapped up the night on a relaxed note.
22nd and 29th December, Kyma
After a quiet November for gigs, December picked up with more inquiries. Namrata, who regularly performs brunch shows at KOPA Mall, invited me to join her for two gigs as her guitarist, Vicky, was abroad, and she wasn’t enjoying performing solo. We only had one rehearsal, which coincidentally was when my new PSR keyboard arrived! Some friends visited with their baby- who were a fantastic audience! The venue itself is relaxed, giving artists freedom over the setlist. Both gigs were fun, stress-free, and thoroughly enjoyable.
22nd December, AFMC
This gig was a repeat of the earlier one this year but with an added twist—a Bollywood keyboardist, Santosh, joined us along with a singer, adding Hindi songs to the mix. Santosh played his parts effortlessly, showcasing the skill and dedication it takes to master those intricate Bollywood arrangements. AFMC gigs are known for their relaxed vibe and lack of a fixed setlist, which makes preparation challenging but also keeps things low-pressure.
25th December, Grandmama's Café
Merlyn brought this gig through Leslie, marking my first time performing with her. It was a relaxed Christmas brunch, filled with carols and festive vibes. Merlyn played guitar, which added a rich texture to our duo set. I used my new keyboard and beats, and the gig turned out to be a fun and heartwarming experience.
25th December, SWIG Koregaon Park
Later that day, we played a rock gig at SWIG KP. The set was tight, with a well-prepared song list and excellent communication among the musicians, both on and off stage. The show went smoothly, and I enjoyed every moment of it. SWIG KP has consistently been a great venue for me, and this gig was no exception.
28th December, Poona Club Golf Course
This gig was an experiment in many ways. Since it was just the three of us (Rohit Namrata and I) and the setlist included a lot of Bollywood songs and mashups, backing tracks weren't feasible in that short amount of time. The PSR keyboard was bought specifically for this gig. It was a good decision.
Having completed my Grade 8 Trinity exam in Electronic Keyboard a few years ago, the skills I had developed came in handy, especially with using the beats and making tracks. The sound we produced that evening was fantastic—clean, full, and engaging. Rohit, who got us this gig, was thrilled with the performance, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.
Conclusion:
This year, I want to:
Continue performing gigs regularly, experimenting with new gear to achieve better sound quality and stage presence.
Improve stage presence—look more confident, stay relaxed.
Develop and promote my solo instrumental set featuring Bollywood music, instrumentals, and pop songs infused with my unique style—lofi and jazz-inspired.
Actively push my music business forward, not just relying on gigs that come my way but proactively seeking and securing opportunities.
Exploring new frontiers! Nice!!
Good job!! Keep it up. All the best for 2025.