By Spandan Fulkar
16th Jan 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
16th Jan 2024
Vibhu's been vibing with music since forever like a lifelong companion, it’s not something that happened overnight. Started with the tabla as a kid, then upgraded to drumming maestro status, even acing those fancy Trinity exams. Hip-hop found its way into his life early on, thanks to the likes of A$AP Rocky, Hopsin, and Eminem. Fast forward to college, and he's co-founding 'Woosah,' a band that probably knew how to drop beats that made you go, "Woosah!"
Tunnel of Discovery & Rainy Inspirations
The pandemic hits, and Vibhu can't bang on his drums. Confined to his room, unable to play drums, he found peace and solace in FL Studio. This marked the genesis of his foray into lofi and flips, shared with the world through Instagram. The name 'Kalbaisakhi,' born in collaboration with a rapper friend, drew inspiration from the heavy rains in East India, a fitting reflection of their shared persona. When the duo parted ways, Vibhu took the reins of Kalbaisakhi as a solo artist, initiating a period of introspection and artistic evolution. Vibhu confesses, "I won't lie, I took my sweet time with it." This time investment bore fruit with the release of his debut EP, 'Tunnels.' A meticulously crafted collection, it serves as a testament to his growth as a bedroom producer. The EP achieved a significant milestone, hitting 1 million streams, a validation of its own.
As COVID subsided and nightlife started resuming, Vibhu started attending more underground gigs around Delhi and that’s when his sound took a sharp turn towards dance music and he started producing house, UK Garage, and other dance music and immersing himself in underground sound.
Bollywood and Punjabi remixes added further layers to his expanding musical spectrum, attracting a fresh audience.
Vibhu's been vibing with music since forever like a lifelong companion, it’s not something that happened overnight. Started with the tabla as a kid, then upgraded to drumming maestro status, even acing those fancy Trinity exams. Hip-hop found its way into his life early on, thanks to the likes of A$AP Rocky, Hopsin, and Eminem. Fast forward to college, and he's co-founding 'Woosah,' a band that probably knew how to drop beats that made you go, "Woosah!"
Tunnel of Discovery & Rainy Inspirations
The pandemic hits, and Vibhu can't bang on his drums. Confined to his room, unable to play drums, he found peace and solace in FL Studio. This marked the genesis of his foray into lofi and flips, shared with the world through Instagram. The name 'Kalbaisakhi,' born in collaboration with a rapper friend, drew inspiration from the heavy rains in East India, a fitting reflection of their shared persona. When the duo parted ways, Vibhu took the reins of Kalbaisakhi as a solo artist, initiating a period of introspection and artistic evolution. Vibhu confesses, "I won't lie, I took my sweet time with it." This time investment bore fruit with the release of his debut EP, 'Tunnels.' A meticulously crafted collection, it serves as a testament to his growth as a bedroom producer. The EP achieved a significant milestone, hitting 1 million streams, a validation of its own.
As COVID subsided and nightlife started resuming, Vibhu started attending more underground gigs around Delhi and that’s when his sound took a sharp turn towards dance music and he started producing house, UK Garage, and other dance music and immersing himself in underground sound.
Bollywood and Punjabi remixes added further layers to his expanding musical spectrum, attracting a fresh audience.
Kalbaisakhi Sound
He doesn’t think he has one sound, nor he will in the future as he produces and mixes most genres of electronic music and has a background in live music, so he appreciates not just dance music or underground music, but all kinds of music. However, with time he has developed an affinity towards South-Asian sounds. “I tend to use a lot of Indian instruments and samples in my productions. With bootlegs, for example, I tend to use Virgil Abloh’s 3% rule. I try to showcase where I come from, and things from my childhood, and I try to expose listeners to new sounds, sometimes combined with sounds they are already familiar with.” Although Singh doesn’t have 1 sound or genre attached to his name, many of my listeners often tell him that he has a typical “Kalbaisakhi sound”, which isn’t like any other producer or artist, desi or not.
Vocal for local
According to Vibhu, the Indian music scene isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are these purists stuck in a West-worshipping loop but Vibhu's not having it at all. He's part of a wave pushing the scene in all directions, getting India's music on the global map and also shared how recently, Boiler Room hosted two events in Gurugram and Mumbai but sadly he could not attend but he heard some of the freshest music coming out of India at the moment. “Karan Kanchan, Bamboy, Prabh Deep, and the entire lineup showcased their unique sounds on a global stage and Bamboy’s set was straight up heat from the streets, it was exciting to see the recognition the set got and the conversations it started for music in India. Stuff like this is happening more often now, and local sounds are getting attention and ears” says Kalbaisakhi.
Kalbaisakhi Sound
He doesn’t think he has one sound, nor he will in the future as he produces and mixes most genres of electronic music and has a background in live music, so he appreciates not just dance music or underground music, but all kinds of music. However, with time he has developed an affinity towards South-Asian sounds. “I tend to use a lot of Indian instruments and samples in my productions. With bootlegs, for example, I tend to use Virgil Abloh’s 3% rule. I try to showcase where I come from, and things from my childhood, and I try to expose listeners to new sounds, sometimes combined with sounds they are already familiar with.” Although Singh doesn’t have 1 sound or genre attached to his name, many of my listeners often tell him that he has a typical “Kalbaisakhi sound”, which isn’t like any other producer or artist, desi or not.
Vocal for local
According to Vibhu, the Indian music scene isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There are these purists stuck in a West-worshipping loop but Vibhu's not having it at all. He's part of a wave pushing the scene in all directions, getting India's music on the global map and also shared how recently, Boiler Room hosted two events in Gurugram and Mumbai but sadly he could not attend but he heard some of the freshest music coming out of India at the moment. “Karan Kanchan, Bamboy, Prabh Deep, and the entire lineup showcased their unique sounds on a global stage and Bamboy’s set was straight up heat from the streets, it was exciting to see the recognition the set got and the conversations it started for music in India. Stuff like this is happening more often now, and local sounds are getting attention and ears” says Kalbaisakhi.
Algorithm Defiance
Chopping it up about priorities, Vibhu spills the realness. It's been a grind, finding an audience, trying different sounds and visuals. But the freedom to go against the algorithm? That's been his secret sauce. And DJing? It's a whole different ball game. Reading the room, mixing it up, Vibhu's been learning the ropes with props from the best in the game.
We Desi Touch
Talking about the ‘desi’ touch that is very visible in everything he does Kalbaisakhi told ‘The Outsiders’ “As I mentioned this before, I have always wanted to showcase where I come from. I love sampling songs from my childhood, underrated tunes which hold a nostalgic significance.” He further also adds how branding and packaging are important, but unless the underlying music isn't good, there's really no point. Instagram sometimes favours artists who put up a good facade, but there’s nothing you can really do about it and also emphasises the importance of building connections. “Reaching out to other artists is what helped me slingshot to where I am now. I have shamelessly DM’d my favourite artists, sent them my edits, and asked for guidance or collaborations. They have been through the same journey, so they don't mind it (most of them at least)” Vibhu also emphasized that he has his own phases with music ranging from rock, hip-hop, jazz phase, and is currently in his UK underground phase and also listening to a lot of amapianoa as it’s such a fresh sound.
Plans and Beyond
When asked about what's in the cards for 2024? Vibhu's keeping it chill. More releases, an EP, and a Kalbaisakhi clothing line makeover. The UK's calling his name, with plans for more shows, more collabs, and rubbing elbows with fellow artists. No strict project quotas, though but just waiting for that perfect mental and physical state to drop his best work.
Algorithm Defiance
Chopping it up about priorities, Vibhu spills the realness. It's been a grind, finding an audience, trying different sounds and visuals. But the freedom to go against the algorithm? That's been his secret sauce. And DJing? It's a whole different ball game. Reading the room, mixing it up, Vibhu's been learning the ropes with props from the best in the game.
We Desi Touch
Talking about the ‘desi’ touch that is very visible in everything he does Kalbaisakhi told ‘The Outsiders’ “As I mentioned this before, I have always wanted to showcase where I come from. I love sampling songs from my childhood, underrated tunes which hold a nostalgic significance.” He further also adds how branding and packaging are important, but unless the underlying music isn't good, there's really no point. Instagram sometimes favours artists who put up a good facade, but there’s nothing you can really do about it and also emphasises the importance of building connections. “Reaching out to other artists is what helped me slingshot to where I am now. I have shamelessly DM’d my favourite artists, sent them my edits, and asked for guidance or collaborations. They have been through the same journey, so they don't mind it (most of them at least)” Vibhu also emphasized that he has his own phases with music ranging from rock, hip-hop, jazz phase, and is currently in his UK underground phase and also listening to a lot of amapianoa as it’s such a fresh sound.
Plans and Beyond
When asked about what's in the cards for 2024? Vibhu's keeping it chill. More releases, an EP, and a Kalbaisakhi clothing line makeover. The UK's calling his name, with plans for more shows, more collabs, and rubbing elbows with fellow artists. No strict project quotas, though but just waiting for that perfect mental and physical state to drop his best work.
