MUMBAI: Mumbai-based talent management agency and independent record label, Misfits Inc. was launched in 2019 with a goal to energise creative expression through collaboration and community.

Five years later, with 11 artists on their roaster and subsequent releases on Misfits Inc., and projects like Coke Studio Bharat (music supervision and Ankur Tewari was the creative architect), season 3 of MTV x Hyundai Soundtrippin’ which was hosted by Tewari, comedian Karunesh Talwar’s special on Amazon Prime Aalas Motaapa Ghabraahat and more, the boutique agency – conceptualised by Nayantara Kumar and Savinay Shetty – has become one of the go-to outfits for non-film creators looking for opportunities and avenues to create and monetize content.

“Misfits Inc. literally stemmed from the concept of Misfits In Cooperation, a space for a bunch of misfits that come together to work in tandem to make something happen,” Nayantara and Shetty share. Musicians like Ankur Tewari and Tejas have been with Misfits Inc. since the very beginning.

To celebrate their journey for five years and the multiple milestones – Tewari’s first-ever US tour, multiple projects for OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, multiple music synch licensing opportunities worldwide – the agency takes over Mumbai’s favourite live music venue for a four week-residency, with six gigs and more than 15 artists (and a few surprise inclusions) from July 18 to August 11.

Titled ‘Not Dead Yet: It’s aLIVE’, the residency features Misfits Inc. star performers alongside some shining stars of the Indian indie music scene.

“We want to celebrate the vibrancy and resilience of the Indian independent music scene, in addition to also showcasing what we are trying to build. And we love live music,” says Nayantara.

“The idea behind these series of shows is to showcase our entire roster with its wide variety of genres right from indie pop to world music in the form of a residency under our live IP ‘Not Dead Yet: It’s aLIVE’ at the best live venue in the country along with other artists that we constantly work and collaborate with and consider as part of our extended family,” adds Suneet George who has been a member of the core team since inception.

The celebrations begin in earnest with two indie/pop showcases. The Pune-based collective Easy Wanderlings, singer-songwriter and indie darling Tejas and Bangalore-based upcoming singer-songwriter Frizzell D’souza kickstart the residency on July 18 while Mumbai-based alt pop band The Colour Compound pick up their instruments again after a year for a live show with producer JBabe and up-and-coming artists Perp x Raj on July 25.

July 28 will be an absolute treat with two acts known for their distinctive global sounds, Bangalore-based Nepalese transtraditional rock band, Gauley Bhai and Kashmiri musician Alif.

The very popular Ankur Tewari & Ghalat Family and young ghazal singer Divyam Sodhi will regale Mumbai audiences with their take on Hindustani pop on August 1 while electronica producer sudan will launch his debut album, sudan? with his many collaborators in tow, on August 8.

The final show of the residency on August 11 – a producer special – will pack a punch with the much-in-demand bassist and producer Hashbass leading a group of young hip-hop producers like Parimal Shais, Kalmi and a special surprise guest.

Gig details
July 18: Easy Wanderlings, Tejas, Frizzell D’souza (indie/pop)
July 25: JBabe, The Colour Compound, Perp x Raj (indie/pop)
July 28: Gauley Bhai, Alif (world music)
August 1: Ankur Tewari & The Ghalat Family, Divyam Sodhi (Hindustani pop)
August 8: Sudan & Friends Album Launch (live electronica)
August 11: Hashbass, Parimal Shais, Kalmi, Surprise Guest (producer showcase)

Tickets for the residency are now available at skillbox.in starting at Rs 499.

About Misfits Inc.
Misfits Inc. is a Mumbai-based boutique agency functioning as a collaborative community to represent the finest talent across music, comedy, visual and performing arts.