'Infinite Cartwheels' is a banner under which Mayur and Diksha organize music gigs in the city.
While they're personally picky about their liking in music, for the gigs they do a lot of genres and have had an eclectic mix of bands, typically three to four per gig. They had a gig last week, with 'As We Keep Searching', 'Diarchy', 'Rishab Seen' and Hyderabad's own 'Pandora's Box'. A nice thing I've noticed is that they always include atleast one band from Hyderabad, doing their bit for our own local talent.
The Hindu did a good job on band level detail, in 'Infinite Cartwheels: A Platform for diversity'
The surprise was that they announced this gig as 'Final Edition'.
While they're personally picky about their liking in music, for the gigs they do a lot of genres and have had an eclectic mix of bands, typically three to four per gig. They had a gig last week, with 'As We Keep Searching', 'Diarchy', 'Rishab Seen' and Hyderabad's own 'Pandora's Box'. A nice thing I've noticed is that they always include atleast one band from Hyderabad, doing their bit for our own local talent.
The Hindu did a good job on band level detail, in 'Infinite Cartwheels: A Platform for diversity'
The surprise was that they announced this gig as 'Final Edition'.
I've had a bystander view. Over the last year, each time there's a gig coming up, I'd know through seeing a shift in Diksha's coming home timing, increased energy (stress) levels, posters and banners all over her room, and a near madness in her eye as the day approaches.
Seeing 'final edition' made me curious.... inspired a chat with the two of them. I realized I knew very little. I didn't know when it started, how they had gotten together, what their commitment was..... and finally, why was this their last.
The chat:
Me: Mayur, how long have you been doing this?
Mayur: We've done Infinite Cartwheels for almost an year, we started last May.
Me: Aah, so you started this after Diksha moved to Hyderabad? How did that story start...tell me right from the beginning, how did you even get into music organizing.
Mayur: Infinite Cartwheels started an year back, but I've been involved in organizing music shows for a long time, almost eight years.
Me: Wow, 8 years ! And how old are you?
Mayur: I'm 24
Me: So you started when you were, what....how early?
Mayur: I started when I was sixteen. I had moved to Hyderabad from Bangalore, soon after my 10th. I got introduced to 'Orka' who was then organizing a rock show at Shilparamam. I volunteered for the show, they liked my work and wanted me to work with them.
Me: So you actually worked with them ? for how long? And your studies?
Mayur: Yes, I worked with them, for six years, and I did my engineering alongside. I learnt the ropes with Orka.
Me: Lovely. So tell me how 'Infinite Cartwheels' came into existence, and how you and Diksha got together for it.
Mayur: I used to work at Fubar, I was their PR person. April last year, Diksha used to be there almost every evening.... she would be either reading or writing, all by herself, at one table. One day I introduced myself, and we got talking.
Over a few days, we realized we were both into the same kind of music, and when I told her I was wanting to organize a gig, she volunteered to help. And I needed help. That's how it began.
Me: That's an interesting story. Diksha, tell your version.
Diksha: When I moved back from Bangalore, I was at a loose end, didn't know what to do. One day I attended a doodle workshop organized at Fubar. I liked the energy of the place, I didn't know anybody there.....but I'd go everyday. I'd just sit there, sip beer, and do my own thing, writing, reading...
And like Mayur said, one day he just came up and said hi, and we got talking. When he told me about wanting to organize a gig, I said I would be happy to help. It was an impulsive thought, but I love music and it sounded like something I'd like to be doing, something so close to music. I put myself fully into it....and that's how it started.
Me: How many gigs have you'll done over the year?
Both: We've done eight.
Me: Nice !! almost one a month. Tell me how it works, how do you figure which bands, the when, where....all that.
Mayur: It's not structured or planned. We keep our eyes and ears open to what's happening in the music scene, which bands are touring where, it's like a constant awareness and we keep talking, thinking....and then it starts to fall into place. We just go with the feel.
Me: How did it work for you Diksha? How did it shift from volunteering to something committed?
Diksha: I completely enjoy the space, it's tough but interesting, it's high energy and we get to hang out with interesting people, get to meet some great bands, listen to their stories, their journeys, experiences. I love the work, though it's very stressful at times. People don't realize how much work it is.
Mayur: Tell your mom what you told me the other day, I really liked that, about making a difference to the music scene in Hyderabad.
Diksha: Well, I think we are influencing the music scene in Hyderabad. It's pretty pioneering, as there aren't a lot of music organizers in Hyderabad. We've now gotten a decent reputation in the city, our own niche following.
Mayur: Over the year we've like become a brand name. I think Hyderabad is now ready for the big scene in music.... we still have a niche audience, but it's definitely happening.
Me: What's the biggest risk you've taken?
Mayur: Skyharbour. It was a massive risk. Our biggest, and most expensive. We knew it was going to be a risk, and gave us many stressful moments. It was a learning experience...it turned out to be a hit, we had 350 people show up, it was jam packed.
Diksha: Most people were shocked that we could pull off that kind of thing in an indoor place, we didn't even think Moonshine Project could fit that many. Apparently some event company sold tickets in our name and we got over booked. I thought that kind of thing happened only to big cricket matches, it was crazy. Not like we made big money, but it was a huge success.
Me: How do you market your events?
Mayur: We use all forms of marketing. It's a lot of the digital platform, we use a lot of social network. We put posters around the city....a lot of word of mouth.
Diksha: We also do smaller events to promote it, make it more fun. Like we did a 'barter counter' once.
Me: What's a barter counter?
Diksha: Where people can bring anything they want and exchange....they do things like collectibles, guitars, cool beer mugs, trinkets...all kinds of stuff.
It's tough though as we need someone to man the counter....friends offer, but it's hard to do as they end up wanting to watch the gig once it starts, and then there's no one at the counter.
Me: What's the most challenging part of organizing a gig?
Mayur: The economics. We don't know till the end, we never know if it will make money. It's always tense around that.
Me: How do your economics work?
Mayur: We try and get sponsorships. Our audience ranges from 20 years to 50 years, so we look to companies which can benefit from the visibility, or like to promote music, or both. It takes a lot of networking.
Me; How has it been so far ?
Mayur: We've mostly managed to break even. Haven't made any money, but it's been a learning experience, and we love what we do.
Diksha: And there's Karthik, from Banjara, a travel company in Mumbai who has been a huge support. He sponsored our initial gigs and then he became like a partner. He's been a great mentor, and when Mayur and I don't agree on something, he's also our mediator :)
Me: Why is this the final edition?
Both: We want to take a break. Step back and reassess what we've done. Use the learnings, and step up our game with Cartwheels. We want to make this into a 'music festival'. Go big.
Me: Big plans. Nice. What about meanwhile? Won't you lose momentum?
Mayur: Yes, so we're meanwhile going to do a bunch of other things that we're now working on, maybe some electronic or maybe 'sketch and strum'
Me: What's sketch and strum?
Both: It's smaller scale, solo performances and the audience has to sketch the band as they play. The best and worst sketch get prizes. We've done one before, it's a lot of fun, gets a lot of participation.
Me: Interesting. To close, tell me about your most intense moments.... highest risks, biggest highs, whatever......both of you.
Mayur: My biggest risk was when we did sky harbour and I had this moment when I was thinking "why am I risking so much money that I don't even have?"
My high comes when after a gig people come up to me and say "the evening was so great", "you gave us the best night of our lives" "a night that will stay forever". And the bands themselves.... When they appreciate what we've done, they like the energy of what we've created, and are happy to come play for us.
Diksha: It's the moment the show starts. The last two days before the show are the most stressful. And then the show starts.... and then when you see people getting totally lost in the music, some getting emotional, totally into it.......that's my high.
Intense moment is when I think back 'If I hadn't been sitting and reading all alone, all those days, I would never have met Mayur, and I wouldn't have found my thing in life'.
Me: Wonderful. Thanks for sharing such interesting, and intimate details of your journey. It's a fascinating world. All admiration for you both...and wishing you all the luck for your dream and aspiration to take cartwheels to the big league, to make it a 'music festival' !!
Some pictures from their events:
The poster for the 'Final Edition'
Audience again
Way to go the two of you....may the Infinite in the Cartwheels go on :)
The chat:
Me: Mayur, how long have you been doing this?
Mayur: We've done Infinite Cartwheels for almost an year, we started last May.
Me: Aah, so you started this after Diksha moved to Hyderabad? How did that story start...tell me right from the beginning, how did you even get into music organizing.
Mayur: Infinite Cartwheels started an year back, but I've been involved in organizing music shows for a long time, almost eight years.
Me: Wow, 8 years ! And how old are you?
Mayur: I'm 24
Me: So you started when you were, what....how early?
Mayur: I started when I was sixteen. I had moved to Hyderabad from Bangalore, soon after my 10th. I got introduced to 'Orka' who was then organizing a rock show at Shilparamam. I volunteered for the show, they liked my work and wanted me to work with them.
Me: So you actually worked with them ? for how long? And your studies?
Mayur: Yes, I worked with them, for six years, and I did my engineering alongside. I learnt the ropes with Orka.
Me: Lovely. So tell me how 'Infinite Cartwheels' came into existence, and how you and Diksha got together for it.
Mayur: I used to work at Fubar, I was their PR person. April last year, Diksha used to be there almost every evening.... she would be either reading or writing, all by herself, at one table. One day I introduced myself, and we got talking.
Over a few days, we realized we were both into the same kind of music, and when I told her I was wanting to organize a gig, she volunteered to help. And I needed help. That's how it began.
Me: That's an interesting story. Diksha, tell your version.
Diksha: When I moved back from Bangalore, I was at a loose end, didn't know what to do. One day I attended a doodle workshop organized at Fubar. I liked the energy of the place, I didn't know anybody there.....but I'd go everyday. I'd just sit there, sip beer, and do my own thing, writing, reading...
And like Mayur said, one day he just came up and said hi, and we got talking. When he told me about wanting to organize a gig, I said I would be happy to help. It was an impulsive thought, but I love music and it sounded like something I'd like to be doing, something so close to music. I put myself fully into it....and that's how it started.
Me: How many gigs have you'll done over the year?
Both: We've done eight.
Me: Nice !! almost one a month. Tell me how it works, how do you figure which bands, the when, where....all that.
Mayur: It's not structured or planned. We keep our eyes and ears open to what's happening in the music scene, which bands are touring where, it's like a constant awareness and we keep talking, thinking....and then it starts to fall into place. We just go with the feel.
Me: How did it work for you Diksha? How did it shift from volunteering to something committed?
Diksha: I completely enjoy the space, it's tough but interesting, it's high energy and we get to hang out with interesting people, get to meet some great bands, listen to their stories, their journeys, experiences. I love the work, though it's very stressful at times. People don't realize how much work it is.
Mayur: Tell your mom what you told me the other day, I really liked that, about making a difference to the music scene in Hyderabad.
Diksha: Well, I think we are influencing the music scene in Hyderabad. It's pretty pioneering, as there aren't a lot of music organizers in Hyderabad. We've now gotten a decent reputation in the city, our own niche following.
Mayur: Over the year we've like become a brand name. I think Hyderabad is now ready for the big scene in music.... we still have a niche audience, but it's definitely happening.
Me: What's the biggest risk you've taken?
Mayur: Skyharbour. It was a massive risk. Our biggest, and most expensive. We knew it was going to be a risk, and gave us many stressful moments. It was a learning experience...it turned out to be a hit, we had 350 people show up, it was jam packed.
Diksha: Most people were shocked that we could pull off that kind of thing in an indoor place, we didn't even think Moonshine Project could fit that many. Apparently some event company sold tickets in our name and we got over booked. I thought that kind of thing happened only to big cricket matches, it was crazy. Not like we made big money, but it was a huge success.
Me: How do you market your events?
Mayur: We use all forms of marketing. It's a lot of the digital platform, we use a lot of social network. We put posters around the city....a lot of word of mouth.
Diksha: We also do smaller events to promote it, make it more fun. Like we did a 'barter counter' once.
Me: What's a barter counter?
Diksha: Where people can bring anything they want and exchange....they do things like collectibles, guitars, cool beer mugs, trinkets...all kinds of stuff.
It's tough though as we need someone to man the counter....friends offer, but it's hard to do as they end up wanting to watch the gig once it starts, and then there's no one at the counter.
Me: What's the most challenging part of organizing a gig?
Mayur: The economics. We don't know till the end, we never know if it will make money. It's always tense around that.
Me: How do your economics work?
Mayur: We try and get sponsorships. Our audience ranges from 20 years to 50 years, so we look to companies which can benefit from the visibility, or like to promote music, or both. It takes a lot of networking.
Me; How has it been so far ?
Mayur: We've mostly managed to break even. Haven't made any money, but it's been a learning experience, and we love what we do.
Diksha: And there's Karthik, from Banjara, a travel company in Mumbai who has been a huge support. He sponsored our initial gigs and then he became like a partner. He's been a great mentor, and when Mayur and I don't agree on something, he's also our mediator :)
Me: Why is this the final edition?
Both: We want to take a break. Step back and reassess what we've done. Use the learnings, and step up our game with Cartwheels. We want to make this into a 'music festival'. Go big.
Me: Big plans. Nice. What about meanwhile? Won't you lose momentum?
Mayur: Yes, so we're meanwhile going to do a bunch of other things that we're now working on, maybe some electronic or maybe 'sketch and strum'
Me: What's sketch and strum?
Both: It's smaller scale, solo performances and the audience has to sketch the band as they play. The best and worst sketch get prizes. We've done one before, it's a lot of fun, gets a lot of participation.
Me: Interesting. To close, tell me about your most intense moments.... highest risks, biggest highs, whatever......both of you.
Mayur: My biggest risk was when we did sky harbour and I had this moment when I was thinking "why am I risking so much money that I don't even have?"
My high comes when after a gig people come up to me and say "the evening was so great", "you gave us the best night of our lives" "a night that will stay forever". And the bands themselves.... When they appreciate what we've done, they like the energy of what we've created, and are happy to come play for us.
Diksha: It's the moment the show starts. The last two days before the show are the most stressful. And then the show starts.... and then when you see people getting totally lost in the music, some getting emotional, totally into it.......that's my high.
Intense moment is when I think back 'If I hadn't been sitting and reading all alone, all those days, I would never have met Mayur, and I wouldn't have found my thing in life'.
Me: Wonderful. Thanks for sharing such interesting, and intimate details of your journey. It's a fascinating world. All admiration for you both...and wishing you all the luck for your dream and aspiration to take cartwheels to the big league, to make it a 'music festival' !!
Some pictures from their events:
The Skyharbour event. I know only Diksha and Mayur. Mayur's the guy in the blue shirt and jacket. Diksha, not difficult, the only girl in the picture :)
Audience, visibly fully involved
Rishabh Seen, very popular on the sitar
The poster for the 'Final Edition'
The Final Edition bands and Mayur and Diksha, sitting left
In rapture I guess
The eyes saying so much
Audience again
They created a board with all eight event posters, an adieu of sorts for the Final Edition.
The sheer energy and depth of the pictures tell a powerful story. The line I read from the photographer says it best "The pictures tell what an insane night it was".
The shared passion......when last year they both drove to Bangalore to attend 'Open Air', a music festival, at Bangalore. Also, a picture I really like, one that seems to represent stillness with intensity....so it made it's way in here.
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