The document discusses the author's experience playing in a band and how it has shaped them. It describes how playing music provided an outlet for self-expression and a way to connect with others. It discusses the various emotions experienced while performing on stage and details key experiences with their band over the years, including recording their first album, overcoming challenges, and reuniting after a hiatus. The author expresses a desire to continue being involved in music and culture through their career and to approach teamwork and leadership in a collaborative manner, as they did while in their band.

1. Music, my band and how it has
shaped me

2. My unique medium of self-expression
Everyone has outlets for self-expression. These outlets end up defining us a person and
how we interact with the world. For me this was playing the guitar and expressing myself
through music.

3. Vocalizing emotions, connecting with people through
the act of jamming
Music was the vehicle through which I first discovered this passion for expression. Playing the guitar, either with my band
or as a composer, provided me a deeply personal outlet for my feelings. I discovered how to ‘vocalize’ what I am feeling in
a new language.
It has been a great way for me to connect with people. This is a picture of me jamming with Jaidev, my best friend with
whom I started learning guitar with .

4. Each moment, a unique emotion
While playing on stage I’ve experienced so many emotions ranging from elation to
connectedness to adrenaline. As you can see in the pictures above, it feels like every
moment represents a distinct emotion that I am experiencing and expressing.

5. Discovering the magic that a tightly knit team can create
I had been playing the guitar since my school years but I was not content with merely
sharing this expression with myself. I craved an audience who would identify with my
personal expression. In 2009, I was invited by friends to join their band ‘October’. This
was the beginning of something truly special, my first experience of being and living as a
team.

6. Each individual’s role in co-creative processes
There’s a certain discipline and meditative state that jamming and practicing as a band instilled in me. It makes you acutely
aware of the importance of every person playing his or her role is in creating something together as a team. This is one of
my favourite places to be both physically and mentally. When your connected to other people without exchanging words!

7. Learning how to drive projects with a DIY approach
These are some of the moments from our recording sessions for our debut album, ‘Defeat the Question’. We approached it
in a totally DIY manner and learnt so much out of it. Of course we made mistakes but it was a challenging leadership
experience for me as the manager of the band and I learnt a lot about what it takes to produce a project.

8. Overcoming moments of crisis by taking charge
There was a particularly challenging moment when we were recording the debut album. our sound engineer was struggling
with the final mix for the album. All my band members were unhappy with the quality of the final mix and infighting ensued.
I had to step up as the leader of the band and mediate tensions among members and motivate the engineer to meet the
launch deadline.

9. Memories, moments and camaradrie
Practicing, travelling and playing shows together across the country as a band forged tight
bonds between us. We shared some great moments on the road and built friendships that
will last a lifetime. We became a family.

10. Developing a commanding presence on stage as a
team
When we get up on stage it feels like we’re a unit. We feed off each other’s energy. It feels
like we command the stage and the crowd’s attention with our adrenaline fuelled
performances.

11. Band on stage pics

12. A return after hiatus; my love affair with my
band
When our original drummer and vocalist left to pursue their studies in music in 2013, ‘October’
went on hiatus. After almost a year and a half of us drifting our own directions we felt the urge to
be together as a band again. We were lucky to find two great new additions to the band. These
our images from our first two shows with a new lineup this year, 2015. It feels good to be back!

13. Desire to be connected with and make an
impact on the world of music, culture
My involvement with music and culture is a larger life passion. While the band
and my involvement in the independent music industry in India was the
beginning of it, I aim for my career to be a continuation of it. Whether it entails
working in a company like Spotify, or starting entrepreneurial projects that seek
to revolutionize the music industry or simply supporting art forms as a patron.

14. To build a great team dynamic and
approach co-creation in a collaborative
manner
The most important lesson, learnt from my experience in this band, that I wish
to carry forward into all aspects of my life, is to approach team work with the
sense of co-creation as we did when composing and jamming. As a leader of a
team I will always crave the same camaraderie and personal bonds that we
shared as a band.

15. Thank you!
For letting me share my most special moments, friends and
achievements with you.