About
When Chai Met Toast is a multilingual indie-folk and pop-rock band formed in Kochi, Kerala, in 2016, comprising Ashwin Gopakumar, Achyuth Jaigopal, Palee Francis and Pai Sailesh. Known for cheerful, optimistic music, they sing mainly in English with Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, and have grown from cafe gigs into one of India's most popular indie acts, touring internationally.
Formed in Kochi in 2016, When Chai Met Toast built a following through EPs, singles and an irresistibly upbeat sound, earning a place in Spotify's RADAR emerging-artist programme and a VH1 top-50 video. Their albums Joy of Little Things and When We Feel Young (2021) widened their audience internationally, and they have become festival regulars, at NH7 Weekender, SulaFest and beyond, while touring across the United States and Europe. Their music has featured in film and web-series soundtracks, cementing them as one of India's leading contemporary indie-folk bands.
The artistry
When Chai Met Toast makes what they cheerfully call happy music: bright, banjo-and-keys-driven indie-folk and pop-rock with sing-along melodies and warm, optimistic lyrics about home, travel and the joy of little things. Their multilingual songwriting and feel-good live shows have made them a festival favourite and given them a loyal global following.
[Atlas Perspective] When Chai Met Toast is one of the most bankable feel-good acts in Indian indie music, with wide appeal and a growing international profile. For festivals, campuses and corporate concerts wanting warmth and energy, they are a top-tier contemporary booking.
When Chai Met Toast has helped define the sound of contemporary Indian indie-folk, showing that optimistic, multilingual, feel-good music can build a large national and international audience outside the film-music mainstream. They are among the most successful of India's new-generation indie bands.