Chitransh Yadav, commonly known as Apethroat, is one of the very few people practising the world music genre in India. His original pieces like “Yatra (Sound for the Earth)” and “Ole Ole (Sound for Freedom),” fuse uplifting chanting choruses, tribal beats, and jungle soundscapes. Influenced by his upbringing close to nature and musical mentors, Apethroat’s compositions celebrate the Earth’s beauty and the spirit of freedom. His music portrays narratives relating to promoting the cultures and traditions of various ethnicities and tribes while also presenting his love for nature and the simple yet beautiful things in life. Read more to learn about his fusions, his unique creative process and his future plans!
1. You often describe yourself as ‘being the voice of the unspoken Earth’. Tell us about your approach towards this musicality.
I believe that having a voice is a gift from the universe, meant for more than just singing songs. As a singer, I see myself as someone who can deliver important messages through my music and the deep feelings it can create.
Humans have languages to express our feelings and pain, but other species and Nature also suffer, and they don’t have a way to communicate with us that we understand. Their pain often goes unnoticed because we can’t hear their voices.
Through my music, I want to be a voice for these silent beings. I want to share their struggles and hopes, making people aware of their suffering. By doing this, I hope to create a stronger connection and sense of responsibility towards the Earth and all its living creatures.
2.What are your influences as a musician?
Local Folk Music: I draw inspiration from the folk musicians of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, whose traditional sounds have deeply impacted my musical style, even if their music has never been recorded.
Rock and Metal Bands (1960s-1990s): Bands like Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam, Avenged Sevenfold, and Metallica have significantly influenced my sound and approach to music.
Pop Artists: Icons such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra, and Elton John have inspired my appreciation for melody and performance.
Indian Artists: Talented musicians like Adnan Sami, KK, A.R. Rahman, Lucky Ali, Mohit Chauhan, and Shankar Mahadevan have shaped my understanding of Indian music and its rich emotional depth.
3. Tell us about the fusion of different genres and styles that you present in your music.
My music is a fusion of various genres and styles, shaped by my diverse influences and the teachings of my different gurus.
Folk Elements: Growing up, I was deeply influenced by the folk music of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. The unique frequencies and vibes of these traditional sounds resonate with me, possibly due to my early exposure to these instruments and melodies.
Global Inspirations: Artists like Deep Forest and Enigma have inspired me to incorporate folk voices into my music, blending traditional elements with modern sounds to create a unique musical experience.
This blend of folk traditions with rock, metal, pop, and Indian music allows me to create a rich and diverse musical tapestry that reflects my journey and vision as an artist.
4.What is your creative process like? How do you make your music?
Phases of Exploration: I immerse myself in one genre for about six months, deeply exploring and covering it before moving on to another style.
Songwriting: I usually start by writing songs on my acoustic guitar, finding the core melody and lyrics.
Production: I then produce the composition using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), experimenting with different arrangements until I finalize the sound.
Mixing: Once I’m happy with the arrangement, I send the track to a mix engineer to polish and perfect the final sound.
Inspiration from Nature: Traveling and observing different natural environments greatly influence my creative process. I take my time, allowing these experiences to inspire and shape my music.
By combining these elements, I create music that reflects my journey and the diverse influences that inspire me.
5. Tell us about your releases. What narrative do your tracks present?
I’ve released two singles that share a similar sound and narrative theme:
“Yatra (Sound for the Earth)”
“Ole Ole (Sound for Freedom)”
These tracks blend uplifting chanting choruses, tribal beats, and jungle soundscapes. Influenced by my upbringing close to nature and my musical mentors, these compositions celebrate the beauty of the Earth and the spirit of freedom.
To convey my message, I’ve put immense energy and dedication into the music videos. Working with a cinematographer team, collaborating on the script with the director, learning dance steps from professional dancers, and exploring shoot locations have all been incredible experiences.
Through these releases, I aim to create a visual and auditory experience that reflects my passion for music and the themes of nature and freedom.
6. What does it feel like to perform such music in front of a crowd, how have your shows been? Also, tell us about ‘The Tribe’.
Performing my music live is the best way for me to express gratitude to the audience. I feel like I’m singing from their hearts, and seeing the joy in people smiling, dancing, and vibing together, even zoning out, is a pleasure to witness. The love and support Apethroat and The Tribe have received over the years have been heartwarming.
The members of The Tribe are individually wonderful people. We’ve known each other for a long time and share similar influences but have different approaches to musicality.Our dedication to music has brought us this far. We have a lot more to explore and learn together.
Performing with The Tribe allows us to create powerful, shared experiences that resonate deeply with our audience.
7. Tell us about your future plans. Anything exciting coming this year?
Finding a new sound is essential to our vision. Currently, we’re upgrading our skills and creating new original music. This year, the audience can expect a blend of Indian ragas, modern ambient guitar, and funk beats. The rest will be a surprise!
We also aim to perform at various venues around the world, taking one step at a time to reach our goals. Exciting things are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to share them with you!
