When Chai Met Toast Explained

Current Members:
  • Ashwin Gopakumar (Vocalist)
  • Achyuth Jaigopal (Guitarist)
  • Palee Francis (Keyboard)
  • Pai Sailesh (Drummer)
Origin:Kochi, Kerala, India
Years Active:2016–present
Image Upright:1.2

When Chai Met Toast is a multilingual indie-folk alternative band[1] formed in Kochi, Kerala in 2016. The band's lineup comprises lead vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar, guitarist Achyuth Jaigopal, keyboardist Palee Francis, and drummer Pai Sailesh. The band is known for their happy and lighthearted music which they create in English and Hindi, sometimes featuring Tamil and Malayalam lyrics.[2]

Having released two EPs and several singles, the band has been recognized as a rising artist in Spotify’s RADAR program.[3] The video of their single Break Free was chosen as one of VH1 India's top 50 hit videos. They have also developed the tracks for comedian Kenny Sebastian’s 2018 web series Die Trying.[4]

When Chai Met Toast frequently performs at live events and music festivals in India, including Bacardi NH7 Weekender, SulaFest, OnePlus Music festival and Red Bull Tour Bus. In August 2021, their music was featured in the trailer of Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming Bollywood film Jee Le Zaraa.[5]

Band members

Artist:When Chai Met Toast
Ep:2
Singles:3
Music Videos:3
Studio:1
Option Name:Nature Tapes
Option:3

History

Early years

When Chai Met Toast was originally formed in 2014 by Ashwin and Achytuth, both of whom were independently working on their own music slightly different in genre. Ashwin had made his debut as a playback singer with Home in the movie Jacobinte Swargarajyam,[7] and Payye Veeshum in the movie Aanandam[8] while Achyuth had created his debut track Sound of Memory for the movie Humans of Someone.[9]   The duo met at Springr, a music café in Fort Kochi,[10] when Achyuth asked Ashwin to do the vocals for his music. They decided to collaborate and named themselves When Chai Met Toast, to represent the Indian and Western influences in their music. They were soon joined by a friend Ricky on keyboard, who along with Ashwin left the country to study further later. At this time, When Chai Met Toast was on hiatus, Achyuth joined and toured with Raghu Dixit who is the frontman for the Raghu Dixit Project, a multilingual folk music band[11] as their lead guitarist.[12] In 2016, Achyuth and Ashwin returned to Kochi and were joined by Palee and Sailesh to form the new and current version of When Chai Met Toast. The first single they released was Firefly in 2016.

Discography

Singles and albums

Year TypeTitleNumber of Songs Songs Language Notes
2017 SingleJoy of Little Things[13] 3
  • Joy of Little Things
  • Firefly
  • Beautiful World
English
2018SingleRun Closer1Run CloserEnglish
2018EPBelieve4
  • Khoj (Passing By)
  • Who Are You
  • Believe, Forever
2019Single'Hop Stomp'1'Hop Stomp'English
2019SingleNee Aara[14] 1Nee AaraMalayalam
2019SingleKaram (Equals Sessions) 1Karam (Equals Sessions) Collaborated with Rangala Sardar
2020SingleMaybe I Can Fly1Maybe I Can FlyEnglish
2020SingleWhen We Feel Young1When We Feel YoungEnglish,Hindi
2020SingleKahaani[15] 1KahaaniHindi
2020SingleOcean Tide1Ocean TideEnglish
2021SingleBreak Free1Break FreeEnglish
2021SingleKahaani (Duet)1Kahaani – DuetHindiFemale Vocals by Pavithra Chari
2021SingleYellow Paper Daisy1Yellow Paper DaisyEnglish
2021AlbumWhen We Feel Young[16] 7
  • Constellation
  • Ocean Tide
  • When We Feel Young
  • Kahaani
  • Remember
  • Break Free
  • Maybe I Can Fly
English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil
2022SingleNee Aara – Red Cable Sessions1Nee Aara – Red Cable SessionsEnglish
2022SingleLovin' U1Lovin' UEnglishReleased this single as a part of Instagram's #1MinMusic

Films

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prabhan. Pooja. 5 September 2017. 'Chai'vinists and proud!. 2021-10-20. Deccan Chronicle. en.
  2. Web site: 15 September 2020. Asia Spotlight: India's When Chai Met Toast on sparking joy with their indie folk tunes. 2021-10-20. Asia Spotlight: India's When Chai Met Toast on sparking joy with their indie folk tunes Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.. en.
  3. Web site: Anna Ben appears in When Chai Met Toast's new video. 2021-10-20. The New Indian Express.
  4. Web site: 28 February 2018. Life of a struggling musician. 2021-10-20. Deccan Herald. en.
  5. Web site: From Shirley Setia to Ritviz... Independent music is scoring the charts amid the pandemic. 2021-10-20. Free Press Journal. en.
  6. News: Upadhye. Aishwarya. 13 December 2019. Here's the story of how chai met toast. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-11-13. 0971-751X.
  7. Web site: 24 April 2018. Independent Musician Interview. 2022-01-11. Offbeat, unusual, unconventional & interesting career interviews. en.
  8. Web site: 24 April 2018. Independent Musician Interview. 2022-01-11. Offbeat, unusual, unconventional & interesting career interviews. en.
  9. Web site: Tunemasters turn toast of town. 2022-01-11. The New Indian Express.
  10. Web site: 9 March 2017. When Chai Met Toast: 'We Want People to Listen to Happy Music' -. 2022-01-11. My Site. en-US.
  11. Vivek Surendran . 25 September 2015 . The Raghu Dixit Project enthrall audience at the Global Goals #LightTheWay event. 2022-01-11. India Today. en.
  12. Web site: 31 August 2021. Alumni Stories: Achyuth Jaigopal. 2022-01-11. Green School Bali. en-US.
  13. Web site: Tagat. Anurag. 27 October 2018. When Chai Met Toast on their new album Believe, finding their footing — and a growing following. 2021-09-19. Firstpost.
  14. Web site: KP. Gopika. 2 August 2019. With an ode to Kerala floods, 'When Chai Met Toast' says good morning to Malayalam. 2021-09-19. Onmanorama.
  15. Web site: 8 October 2020. Anna Ben appears in When Chai Met Toast's new video. 2021-09-19. The New Indian Express.
  16. News: Akundi. Sweta. 23 September 2020. When Chai Met Toast's debut album will make you feel young. en-IN. The Hindu. limited. 2021-09-19. 0971-751X.