Music composer Rahul Ram of the Indian Ocean band has been making music for almost 32 years. The singer, guitarist says, the band has ensured there’s a gap between their albums. “The way of measuring a song’s success has changed,” he shares, adding, “Pehle hota tha ki kitne CDs beeki hai, now it’s how many streams. Whether that (streaming) translates into income for musicians is an unknown territory. Ultimately, we make money only by playing live or commission work, like film ke liye kaam kar liya. With commission work we have deadlines, for our work we don’t have any deadlines.”

Ram recently performed in Mumbai, however, he went on the stage sans the jitters. Going on the stage is an “awesome” feeling for Ram, even today, as “Bohot kar liya yaar”.

“By now we (the band) can have fun on stage. Initially when a young musician goes on stage, he just doesn’t realise time kab khatam ho gaya. Gradually as you play more, you have fun. Also, we practise very hard, unlike most people. Today’s bands meet 2-3 days before their tour. We are not that good musicians, so we cannot practise in just two days. It takes a lot of work. We prefer being old school,” Ram explains.

One of the reasons Ram and the band are able to practise is because they are located out of Mumbai. “Bombay mein Bollywood sab kuch khaa jata hai. A musician in Mumbai has the dilemma of whether to go for a band practice or to a studio and earn 30 thousand. A 28-year-old singer won’t miss that money. They will always say, ‘I’m sorry I cannot make it’. And there are no bands in Bombay. There used to be a time when it was the hub for damn good bands. Dhakad band Mumbai se hi aaye hai. (But) Bollywood kha jaata hai,” he rues.

The band’s last released Jaadu Maya is a take on climate change, a commentary on the degrading ecosystem. “I think the whole world needs renewal. People continue to make money by degrading the current ecosystem. Climate change is upon us,” laments Ram on World Environment Day. Ram, himself is taking grave steps to curb his carbon footprint. “I have only filled my car’s tank thrice this year. I try to not use my car. Just consume less,” he mentions.