Print steps into India’s fast-moving indie music scene

Compass Jammies’ decision to introduce a print title dedicated solely to India’s independent music scene comes at a moment when the country’s non-film music ecosystem is expanding but still searching for cohesive infrastructure. The launch of CompassInk, unveiled at Raasta Bombay, positions itself as a response to that gap — a physical platform aimed at documenting the artists, audiences and industry shaping an increasingly visible segment of the market.

The event leaned heavily on performances that reflected the breadth of the genre. SheHar opened the evening with a pop-rock set, followed by Sochh, the magazine’s cover stars, whose set included a Marathi folk-fusion track. Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe closed the night with its well-known folk-fusion repertoire. The programming reinforced the publication’s stated intent to showcase a wide spectrum of independent sounds rather than a particular niche.

The magazine was unveiled by music composers Sulaiman Merchant and Naresh Kamath, alongside CompassInk and Compass Jammies founder Sujeet Ramanna and editor-in-chief Dhaval Roy. Malini Agarwal hosted the event. The launch drew a sizeable turnout of artists and industry participants, among them Mandira Bedi, Antara Nandy, Ankita Nandy, Suresh Thomas of Crescendo Music and Sunshine Music, Anu Agarwal, Rajshri Deshpande, Anaida, Karan Chugh, Mallika Mehta, Vee Kapoor and DJ Tina G Bedi.

In keeping with the Compass Jammies format, improvised performances were woven into the evening. Dipesh Varma performed mouth percussion alongside mridangam player Sridhar Parthasarathy, while Amit Padhye joined on harmonium. Maan Panu, described as the latest I-Popstar sensation, also performed a track.

Ramanna said the new publication intends to deepen the company’s involvement in building out the indie ecosystem. “With CompassInk, we aim to create India’s first truly comprehensive print platform dedicated to independent music. The industry has needed a space that brings the community together and highlights the incredible talent emerging across the country. The response at the launch shows that the indie ecosystem is ready for this next step,” he said.

The launch comes against a backdrop of rising independent music consumption in India. Better internet access and the proliferation of streaming platforms have increased visibility for artists outside the film-music mainstream. Despite this, the category remains a small fraction of the overall music industry. Its momentum is driven by artist-led communities, diverse regional sounds and the ability to reach global audiences without traditional intermediaries. For many artists, however, financial viability remains uneven, dependent on streaming volumes, live events and brand partnerships.

Live events have become a significant growth driver, with festivals and city-specific gigs becoming more frequent. Brands have taken notice. Advertising within the indie market has shifted from opportunistic sponsorships to more structured long-term collaborations.

Red Bull, through initiatives such as the Red Bull Tour Bus, has consistently backed indie musicians. Budweiser has co-hosted events and festivals including ‘What’s Brewing in Delhi’, Lollapalooza and the recent ‘Rolling Loud’. Artist-first platforms such as Azadi Records and IncInk have helped formalise parts of the ecosystem, although monetisation remains challenging for many performers.

CompassInk enters this environment as a print product at a time when most music consumption and discovery remain digital. Its success will likely depend on whether it can document the sector with the seriousness of a trade publication while still appealing to a community used to real-time cultural discourse.

For industry stakeholders watching the steady growth of independent music as a youth-facing channel, the magazine’s progress will signal the appetite for deeper storytelling around artists outside the film-music engine. It remains to be seen whether print can carve relevance in a space defined by constant motion.