Janisht Joshi on music, meaning and making space for emotion

Rising from the vibrant music scene of Mumbai, Indian-Nepalese singer-songwriter Janisht Joshi is quickly carving out a distinctive space for himself with his emotive voice, thoughtful lyrics and genre-blending style. Once known for soulful covers, Joshi now commands attention with original compositions that reflect a wide spectrum of influences – from John Mayer’s intimate storytelling and The Strokes’ raw edge to the timeless romance of classic Bollywood greats such as Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor.

Writing in both Hindi and English, he bridges cultures and eras with a sound that feels fresh yet familiar. His latest track Kaanton Ka Taj, a haunting collaboration with Ramil Ganjoo, explores beauty, pain and resilience.

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The exciting young talent spoke to Eastern Eye about his artistic journey, creative process, latest single, personal playlist, inspirations and future plans.

Janisht Joshi

What first connected you to music?
There was always music playing around the house – mostly my parents’ taste – Elton John’s top hits, old Hindi film songs, Jagjit Singh’s Marasim. It seeped in. The idea of writing and performing came later. I watched Rockstar by Imtiaz Ali when I was 10 and realised that guitars are awesome. After a lot of pleading, my parents finally bought me one. I taught myself chords and wrote a lot of terrible songs. I still do.

How do you reflect on your music journey so far?
I am only seven songs old. There is a lot lined up for the second half of this year – a full-length album, a couple of collaborative EPs and a bunch of singles and collaborations. It is exciting. There is nothing else I would rather do.

Which of your songs is closest to your heart?
I hate them all equally, but if I had to choose, it would be Nahi. Some songs you write and outgrow, because you get older and become a better version of yourself. I do not think that will happen with Nahi. My cynical worldview of any kind of human relationship feels permanent.

Janisht Joshi on music, meaning and making space for emotion

How would you describe your unique brand of music?
Oh damn! That is difficult. I do not know how unique my music is. I just try to have fun and write honestly. If something sounds good and I do not hate myself while making it, that is a good day of work.

You have done some interesting collaborations, but how do you decide who to work with?
I can only collaborate with someone if I can also sit across from them and enjoy a beverage. All my collaborators are self-aware, kind and funny people. I am very grateful for them. If someone is an insufferable, self-aggrandising know-it-all, I will not write with them. Life is too short to suffer that category of fools.

Tell us about your new single.
It is called Kaanton Ka Taj. I made it with Ramil Ganjoo, a dear friend and fellow introvert, navigating social situations like a deer in headlights. The song came out of one of our usual conversations – the films of Guru Dutt, music industry gossip, existential dread. It is about feeling alone even when surrounded by people, simply because of our cynicism and lack of faith in the magic of human connection.

How important is it for you to have lyrically strong songs?
Not super! I like having something to say, but I do not break my head over it. Most of the time, the lyrics just show up. I try not to overthink it – if it feels honest, I leave it in.

What is the music master plan going forward?
No grand blueprint. Just write, perform, repeat. I want to build a large body of work – mindfully, deliberately. I have met some brilliant people this past year, and I plan to write a lot of music with them. The immediate goals are to release my full-length solo album Talkhiyaan and a couple of collaborative EPs.

What music dominates your own personal playlist?
I know this is the most non-answer ever, but I really do listen to everything. A lot of The Strokes, Radiohead, Nirvana. A lot of newer rock acts – Bleachers, Arctic Monkeys, The Killers – the full spectrum of male manipulator music. RD Burman, worship him. Music from the films of Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Obscure indie bands I know nothing about. AR Rahman across all languages. And every single song ever picturised on Shah Rukh Khan. That is non-negotiable! Also, a lot of Indian indie friends, peers and strangers making insane music across genres.

Janisht Joshi

If you could master something new in music, what would it be?
Honestly, I know embarrassingly little about music theory or production. I should probably take lessons in everything. But right now, I really want to learn drums. It seems like the kind of thing that might help with my constant antsiness.

Who is your own music hero?
I have too many heroes across genres, but if I must pick one, it is Julian Casablancas. Everything he has done – The Strokes, The Voidz, solo work, even the weird one-off stuff – feels like it is coming from a place of not caring at all and caring too much at the same time. Also, he made mumbling into an art form, which gives me hope because I am not a master enunciator.

What inspires you creatively?
Everything, really. I am an obsessive reader, so books. Also, films, cities, strangers, my beautiful friends. The places I travel to and the people I meet – especially those I will never see again. And, of course, my deep-rooted need for attention. That always helps.