The F16s are an outfit from Chennai, India, carving a niche for themselves in the Alternative Pop genre. In their time spent as a band, they have traversed the length and breadth of the Indian indie music landscape, releasing 2 EPs and a full-length debut album, and performing at prime festivals and venues across the country. The band has recently ventured into Southeast Asia, with a 6 city tour through Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Two EPs and one wonderful full-length album, the band has garnered a devoted and loving fanbase and has got great reviews for their extensive work.

Verus Ferreira spoke to Harshan Radhakrishnan when the band was in Mumbai for a gig last month. Excerpts from the interview.

So tell us how did the band come about?

Harshan: All of us were playing in different bands around Chennai, Josh and Sashank were writing songs and roped in Harshan and Vikram. Abhinav joined after, and soon the first EP was released. A friend randomly suggested the term F16s and the name stuck. It also has a bit to do with Chennai stoner culture, although looking back I'd say it really didn't extend beyond a small group of us. So we have Josh Fernandez on vocals and guitar, Abhinav  Krishnaswamy on guitar and bass, Sashank  Manohar on bass and guitar and I handle (Harshan Radhakrishnan) keyboards /synths/production

Tell us your musical influences.

Harshan: Our influences are The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, Idles, Queen

Can you tell us something about how did each of you meet one another and form F 16s?

Harshan: All of us knew each other from the Chennai scene, we were playing in different bands at the time. Josh and Abhinav knew each other from college as well.

What is the sound of F 16s like? Is it primarily Alternative pop - rock or do you also use other genres?

Harshan: Yeah alternative pop sounds about right 

Who does most of the compositions and arrangements in the band if it’s an original work?

Harshan: All of us contribute to the arrangements in varying degrees. Lyrics are Josh's specialty.

What do your lyrics speak about? 

Harshan: Love and Loneliness in an expanding digital age.

Have you guys won any awards down the years? 

Harshan: Jack Daniels/ Rolling Stone emerging artist for 2013; Radiocity Freedom Award for Best Band.

Can you tell us something about your two EPs and your full length album?

Harshan: Kaleidoscope was our first EP, it helped put us on the map and got us touring the country. We released a two-track EP with Jacuzzi and Blackboard, which we recorded in Brooklyn at Rubber Tracks Studios. Triggerpunkte was our first full length. WKND FRNDS is our latest EP. 

Do you guys have the same lineup or have there been changes in band members down the years?

Harshan: Yeah there have been a few: Abhinav replaced Viraj on guitars very early on. Drummers have come and gone, and currently we have Prabhu helping us out on drums.

You recently embarked on a 6 city tour of South East Asia. Can you tell us something about it?

Harshan: The tour started in Singapore, and was to go through Hanoi, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong and Manila. While the tour was great, we couldn't make the last two shows since we got detained at Hong Kong airport for a visa error. We were sent back to Cambodia and eventually India broke as hell.

Have you come out with any music videos to support your songs?

Harshan: Yes. Look up "Amber" and "My Baby's Beak" on YouTube. We also have acoustic versions of Moonchild and WKND FRNDS up there. 

What’s the music scene back in Chennai?

Harshan: It's fragmented, but there are some cool acts coming up. Siennor, Casteless Collective and Jatayu are some that come to mind. 

There are several upcoming indie bands all over the country, how do you guys stand apart?

Harshan: That's for you and everyone else to decide. We're okay doing what we're doing. 

Which Indie bands do you like?

Harshan: Sunset Rollercoaster, Ariel Pink, Homeshake

Besides music, do you guys have regular jobs? 

Harshan: We’re into different things, like Graphic Design, Video editing, Mixing for bands and advertisements, writing for blogs, teaching.

You best and most memorable gig so far and why?

Harshan: Playing a gig in Bangkok with a drum machine since our drummer Vikram had to be sent back to India with a damaged passport. Harshan rallied together a set from scratch and we managed, but the icing was Vikram facetiming us during the show and saying hi.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira