Music has long served as a powerful platform for amplifying the voices of minorities and marginalized communities. Take hip-hop, for example. The genre originated in the Bronx as an attempt to give an outlet to convey the struggles of the African-American people. Similarly, the queer community has been using the art of music to express itself and gain acceptance in society. In India, the united voice of the queer community resonates across the landscape, transcending linguistic differences. As such, music has evolved beyond mere notes and words, becoming an essential part of the queer community's identity in India, helping them be heard one mellifluous tone at a time. As Pride Month concludes, we celebrate some of the queer artists from India who have made waves with their musical brilliance.

Japanese rock band HY was formed in their hometown of Higashi-Yakena, Okinawa, in 2000, when they were high school students. All of them are from Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The band is currently composed of HIDEYUKI SHINZATO (Vocal & Guitar), SHUN NAKA (Drums), SHINSUKE KYODA (Bass), and IZUMI NAKASONE (Keyboard & Vocal). Their distinctive features include vocals performed by male and female members, a rarity in Japanese bands, and the composition based on their regional culture.

PENTAGON member KINO has pursued several notable solo projects alongside his group activities. This past month, KINO made his official solo debut with the release of his fresh and exciting new EP. From the first concept photo, the vision of KINO’s solo debut EP was clear — it would be something unique, something new, and something quintessentially KINO.

Japanese rock band [Alexandros] was formed in 2001. After they graduated from school, the members started working but continued to play in bands. To develop their music career further, they began living together. Building their career by performing in various live houses and busking on the streets, [Alexandros] eventually debuted in 2010 with “city” under RX-RECORDS, a Japanese indie label established by UK.PROJECT. Though their journey was lengthy, it strengthened their unity and solidified their identity as a band.

Every year in Austin, TX the SXSW music festival serves as a mosaic of diverse emerging talent from around the world. Amongst the multitude and abundance of acts gracing its stages, five artists especially stood out as rising talents, sure to create a strong impression in the music scene. From infectious melodies to reflective and insightful lyrics, these artists mesmerized their audiences with individually unique sounds and evident talent. We're excited to share our top picks for artists you should keep an eye on this year.

The indie music circuit in India is quite up-and-coming these days. Artists are finding new fanbases and strengthening their roots within the music community. With a raw, honest, and sometimes even multilingual approach to the songs, the indie musicians have carved a niche for themselves. When one speaks of indie, most genres that come to mind are ballad, R&B, jazz, and maybe a hint of retro, but that is changing now. The artists are not shy about going beyond the genres and experimenting with their music and artistry.