Of the mass of Indian bands coming out these days, it's difficult to spot those with immediate potential as memorable acts. Delhi band Sajid And The Lost Boys stuck out to us as an act that was creative, unique and published work that was vastly more refreshing than that of its peers. Arjun caught up with the eponymous frontman of the band, Sajid Akbar for a chat about his new album, Indian indie music and Killer Tomatoes.

Tell us a little about yourself.
Most people remember me from the band Killer Tomatoes (a popular Indian rock act in the mid-'90s). I've been playing music for about 15 years now in some form or the other; I don't think I make as much noise now as I should though. This newest avatar (Sajid And The Lost Boys) is a singer-songwriter sort of setup. I did this album (Kid Without Candy) which got released in Singapore (in October 2008). The sound is new; it's not all rock 'n roll anymore.
I don't have a “job” per se but I also work in television and films and stuff in post-production. It gives me enough time to pursue music.

When did Sajid And The Lost Boys take shape?
About two and a half years ago. Killer Tomatoes was predominantly a covers act and I only got into writing original music. I started playing a lot of acoustic guitar based stuff. My inspirations changed.

How did that happen, from total rock 'n roll to this new, um...
No Doubt sort of situation. (laughs)...

We got older and we weren't as angry any more. I think we just grew out of it; it was a pretty natural transition. I started listening to other kinds of music, and I guess that automatically influenced how I wrote.
There was this period for four or five years when I didn't write any music. I was trying to build a career. Then all of a sudden stuff started coming out.

But Killer Tomatoes had its own place as well.
At that time it got a lot out of our systems. It gave us something to do. People who weren't in bands had nothing really else to do. It was a good way for us to do something the three years we were in college. But after that it just got harder for us to stick around when we realised we had to get jobs and things like that. We tried a lot to keep it together different line ups, etc but by the end of it, it had to end (it ended in 2001-02).

So who are the Lost Boys?
Initially I was writing these songs on the acoustic guitar. When the time came for me to perform I was looking around for people to start arranging the songs and incorporate more instruments into them. A lot of the members of Advaita (Delhi fusion band) play as the Lost Boys. The band members keep revolving though. A lot of people ask me why my name is in the title of the band and...

that is because invariably I am the only constant in the group.

Do you see this as something with a solid future?
You know I've stopped thinking like that. I don't really know what that means, what “the future” means. Is it just something monetary? Of course, I'd like it to get to a point where I only do this, but I've not really set out any major plans or strategies, or a five year goal or anything.

How did the album get released in Singapore?
Just the magic of an iPod I think. My brother travels a lot because of his profession and he met these people who are themselves musicians based in Singapore. They heard the music this was about three years ago and they liked it. They said that as and when they did something 'bigger' they'd want me on board. They ended up forming this record company called The Enigmatic Army. They said they'd like to release my album if I had enough songs. So I frantically recorded the songs in 15 days.

You recorded them in India?
Yeah. The songs only got mastered in Singapore. They printed it there.

How are you planning to release the album here?
I'm talking to a few labels. I think the culture of CDs is dying and it's just a matter of making the music available in India. The options are to either go with a record company or find some new, interesting way of releasing it here. I'm in talks with some corporates like coffee...

chains; let's see how it goes.
The thing I tell all these people is “Find me the right audience.” If they can do that, then that's great for me.

Do you find that the people you're talking to for the release are more open to alternate methods of distribution?
Well, it's hitting everyone in the face now. The whole industry is getting shaken up. People don't really buy CDs anymore. It's become a novelty thing. I guess the way it'll be is through a release, you get to play gigs, and then you sell your CDs at the concerts. Or stuff like that. But I think sometime early 2009 the album should see an India release.

Like I said, I don't really make too many big, ambitious plans.
I think, for Indian artists, this is a good time. You do what you do, as best you can, and if it's good enough, it gets noticed here.

-Arjun