First5 is a boy band founded by Aksh Baghla, a singer and content creator who has long aspired to introduce a uniquely inspired pop group to India. With a strong commitment to fostering both talent and personal stories, Aksh launched an online audition on his social media channels to find individuals who share his passion. Applicants submitted their singing and dance videos, and after careful selection, 13 finalists were chosen for video interviews with Aksh himself. Following these interviews, the final members were invited to Chandigarh for an intensive training period.
Aksh was himself a part of the band as its called First5 but eventually things didnt go as planned and Aksh took a backseat and took the role of a mentor/captain for artists Yoshi, Elton Tokbi, Tan, And Daksh.
Recently, the band was spotlighted on TuneCore’s ‘Next,’ a flagship artist spotlight property by the global music distribution and artist development platform, TuneCore. Built for India, ‘Next’ spotlights independent artists from across the region at an inflection point in culture. In conversation with us, they talk to us about their journey so far.
1.Tell us a bit about your project. How did you begin your journey as a band?
First5 began as a dream many years ago when I stared my YouTube Channel. I had a dream, to create a homegrown boyband that India could be proud of. It all started with auditions, where we searched for not just talented singers and dancers, but artists who had the passion, dedication, and hunger to be something bigger. The journey wasn’t easy, bringing together four individuals from different cities, training relentlessly, and creating a sound that felt unique yet relatable. And that’s what makes First5 special.
We also had to go through major setbacks during our training stage, from investors stepping out and Aksh taking a backseat to support the band.
2. Which bands/artists were your first love and who is your biggest influence?
Each of us comes from different musical backgrounds, so our influences are a mix of everything.
As individuals, our inspirations are unique:
Aksh is known for doing covers and mashups on youtube, after getting inspired from international artists like Alex Goot, Rudy Mancuso and KHS. He also is greatly inspired by BTS and their community building, music and discipline.
Daksh draws inspiration from G-Dragon and Jimi Hendrix, blending rock and hip-hop energy.
Tan looks up to Elvis Presley and Jungkook, channeling a mix of old-school charm and modern pop charisma.
Elton admires Zayn and Sebastián Yatra, bringing in a fusion of R&B, Latin, and soulful vocals.
Yoshi is influenced by Sajjan Raj Vaidya and Ed Sheeran, focusing on heartfelt storytelling and acoustic melodies.
3. Tell us a little about your latest release, ‘You and I (Tere Saath).’
“You and I (Tere Saath)” is a song about love, connection, and that one person or thing that makes life feel complete. This song is composed by Elton. It’s a song for everyone—whether you dedicate it to a partner, a best friend, a place, or even a moment that means everything to you.
The MV is shot in Shimla, and the sound has elements which makes it both nostalgic and fresh.
4. What is your music-making and recording process like?
Our process is very collaborative. And both or singles that are out are written and composed by the band itself. A song usually starts with an idea, sometimes a melody or a voice note. From there, we jam together, building harmonies and layering our vocals at our home studio until it feels right.
Recording is where we push our limits. We pay attention to every vocal take, every harmony, every beat, ensuring that what we create isn’t just a song but an experience. And because we come from different backgrounds, each song reflects our individual strengths blended into one sound.
5. Why do you make music? What drives you as a band, and what are your songs about?
We make music because it’s the purest way to connect with people. Our songs are about dreams, struggles, love, hope, and the things that make us human.
As a band, what drives us is the belief that music from India can reach the world. We want First5 to be a symbol of hard work, passion, and breaking barriers.
6. What are your hopes and dreams for First5’s future?
We want First5 to be India’s biggest pop group! One that represents India on a global scale. We dream of performing on international stages, collaborating with artists worldwide, and inspiring young Indian artists to believe that anything is possible no matter where you come from.
At the same time, we want to build a strong community—our fandom, First1s, is the heartbeat of everything we do. We hope to grow together, making music that resonates across generations.
7. What’s your take on the independent music scene in India?
The independent music scene in India is crazy right now. Artists are experimenting, breaking genre boundaries, and finding their own unique voices. Social media and platforms like TuneCore have made it possible for musicians to release their work directly to the world, without needing a major label.
However, there’s still a long way to go in terms of mainstream recognition and support. We believe that Indian pop, boybands, and new-age sounds deserve more spotlight, and we’re excited to be part of this new wave of artists changing the game.
