MUMBAI: Despite being in the indie music space for a relatively short span, Mahesh Raghunandan is quickly becoming recognised. The musician, who formed the band Mahesh & The Mix in May last year has earned a place in the line-up at this year’s NH7 Weekender, Bengaluru, which will take place on 5 and 6 December.

However, Raghunandan revealed that he is ready to sharpen more than just his music abilities. Along with exploring the space as a full time musician, he also wants to polish his business skills. “I look at my work in the same way Sony Music or Universal Music looks at theirs. I follow the same format; I have been putting a lot of research into it. I do not think a lot of indie musicians put in that kind of effort, but I want to. My biggest challenge at present is to see how good my business skills are,” stated the singer who recently released the track ‘Your Story.’

The track is based on a disgruntled relationship between long time lovers. It features Raghunandan crooning soulful lyrics, accompanied by guitars and a cello. With this single, the musician, who was previously into Blues music, enters a new musical space. The single will be included on a new EP that will also include some of his earlier tracks- ‘Drowning’ and ‘Blank’ and two other songs that he has yet to select.

“Last year I started listening to Irish singer-songwriters, and one singer who influenced me to change my work, was Damien Rice. His music is more inclined towards the darker side of relationships and life. It is very vulnerable, and I was completely drawn to it. This is how ‘Your Story’ was created. I also wanted to accompany my music with a classical instrument, like the cello. So, you will hear that too,” said the artist.

Raghunandan will be seen performing similar music at NH7, and will also collaborate with cello player, Grace Biswas. “So far, NH7 is the biggest gig that I have ever had to perform at, and I wanted to do something different. In fact, ever since I started playing this kind of music, I wanted to have a cello player, and now it is finally happening.”

When asked whether he thinks his kind of music has a future in the country, Raghunandan said that in a few years, he will be successful, in terms of music. He looks at his music reaching out to people across the globe. “I do not mind living a modest life as long as my music reaches out globally. I would be happy even to have 10 or 15 people from another country following my music,” he stated.

Although Bollywood music is not on the cards for him yet, Raghunandan admitted he would not mind doing playback singing for Bollywood, provided it aligns with his style of music and concept of storytelling. “Work that gives me good sleep at the end of the day is definitely acceptable,” ended Raghunandan.