In 2019, an Indian kid from Michigan headlined the legendary Forum in Los Angeles—a stage shared by some of music’s all-time greats. He was likely the “first Indian-American lead singer in an American rock band” in history to do so. That kid was Sameer Gadhia, lead vocalist of Young the Giant.

Sameer has spoken at length about the perceived whiteness of indie and alternative rock. There are, of course, plenty of us around (Sum 41’s Dave Baksh, Soundgarden’s Kim Thayll, and Pinkshift’s Ashrita Kumar, to name a few), but historically representation has been mostly white. Sameer nails it on the head:

“This lack of representation has significant consequences. It could dissuade the next prodigies from picking up a guitar because they’re black or Korean, or confirm to the late Farrokh Bulsara that he was right in changing his name to Freddie Mercury. “

Sameer Gadhia, Rolling Stone Magazine

Representation matters. “With representation comes community; community emboldens narratives that challenge both our beliefs and institutions.” That’s why Brown Boy Magazine exists. 

So, for a moment, hit pause on Triple J’s Hottest 100, and treat your eardrums to Brown Boy Magazine’s Hottest 5 indie Australian bands with South Asian lead vocalists. I hope it propels you to pick up that guitar. 

1. Tin Pot Clay Man 🎸

Naarm/Melbourne quartet Tin Pot Clay Man (@tinpotclayman)—with frontman Gaurav Jaswal—are sculpting a sumptuous synthesis of “shoegaze and vibrant 80’s post-punk soundscapes“. Get out the potter’s wheel, fire up the kiln, and throw clay to this ditty:

Check out Tin Pot Clay Man’s Spotify now

2. Sophian 🎸

Born in Malé, Maldives, and now based in Boorloo/Perth, Sophian Manik’s eponymous four-piece Sophian swirls together shimmering vocals with spellbinding melodies. Sophian have all the hallmarks of a Triple J Hottest 100 topper. My goosebumps have goosebumps:

Sophian will be supporting Dice at The River, Margaret River, on 4 February 2023 and at Six Degrees, Albany, on 25 February 2023.

Check out Sophian’s Spotify now.

3. Damn Fine Chai ☕

Soothe your soul. Spice up your eardrums. Amutha Ravindran and Damn Fine Chai (@damn.fine.chai) deliver an intoxicating blend of flavourful beats and aromatic melodies to help you drift off to dreamland.

Damn Fine Chai will play at West Fest in West Footscray on 11 February 2023 and at Freshly Juiced in Brunswick on 15 February 2023.

Check out Damn Fine Chai’s Spotify now

4. Manorism 🎸

Manorism (@manorismband) is Melbourne. The Naarm-based five-piece is a multicultural melting pot melding dream pop and heartland to create sheer sonic decadence. Listen as Likane, Kalurachchi, Farrely, Nguyen, and frontman Joshi write love letters to their humble immigrant upbringings and tie together years of musical exploration:

Manorism will launch its latest single at The Leadbeater Hotel in Richmond on 10 March 2023.

Check out Manorism’s Spotify now.

5. Vinyl 45 👨🏾‍🎤 

Head instantly to seventh heaven with Gadigal Land/Western Sydney septet Vinyl 45 (@vinyl45band). Frontman Aaron Gunawickrema adds fiery subcontinental flavour to this funky, neo-funk outfit. It’s time to shake your groove thing:

Vinyl 45 will play at The Vanguard in Newtown on 2 March 2023.

Check out Vinyl 45’s Spotify now.

Know any other Australian bands with South Asian members? Flick us a DM (@brownboyau).