Against the Grain: 5 Years of Lazie Indie Magazine

April 27th marks a monumental milestone—our 60th monthly edition and the official 5th Anniversary Edition of Lazie Indie Magazine will be out to read. This isn’t just another milestone; it’s a testament to five years of unwavering commitment to independent music and the artists who bring it to life.

On May 27, 2020, Lazie Indie Magazine released its first issue—not from a grand office, not with a well-funded team, but from the quiet corners of a room, fueled solely by a heart full of music and a belief that independent artists deserved a platform that truly understood them. It was raw, unpolished, and uncertain, but it was real.

What began as a personal effort to bring smiles to a few indie musician friends during the lockdown has evolved into a global movement. Lazie Indie Magazine has celebrated and supported indie musicians from over 50 countries, giving them a platform where their stories, struggles, and triumphs matter. In return, we have been honored with global awards and nominations. But beyond the accolades, the greatest reward has been the heartfelt "thank you" from fellow musicians, which we value the most.

Lazie Indie Magazine has never been just about interviews or features—it carries the spirit of independent music. It’s about artists who refuse to be confined, who create because they must, and who chase their dreams despite the odds.

This journey would not have been possible without the incredible team of contributors who have poured their passion into this vision. Each one an expert in their own right. A heartfelt thank you to Tomiko Dixon, Lyia Meta, Emma Goldberg, Galaxy FM (Barbara and DJ Grant), Kathryn Shipley, Manoj, Sherise D'Souza, Ms. Beinta, Hari Krishnan, Adithya, Ann Aria, Jorg, Darshan, Marvin, Gowri Nair, Rohit and Amrita and finally my friend Marianna Gevorgyan for her involvement in Elyzian that brought the voices of cultural icons of Armenia together in one magazine—your support and dedication has shaped Lazie Indie Magazine into what it is today. Your voices, insights, and relentless support have made this journey truly special.

Beyond the magazine, our vision has expanded. A special thank you to Sunder, Sushma, and my friend Manoj—who has been rock solid behind everything I have done in music, standing by me through thick and thin for the past 30 years as my drummer and collaborator and also to Matt & Juno for their very important support. Also, to all our friends who supported us in creating a global platform for indie artists, cutting across borders while remaining deeply rooted in India.

A special and deeply personal thank you to Inge Zimmermann Probst, our meticulous proofreader, whose dedication has ensured that every edition remains polished. Your unwavering support, sharp insights, and belief in this vision have meant more than words can express. From day one, you have stood by this journey, and Lazie Indie Magazine would not be what it is today without you.

The International Indie Music Festival (IIMF) has now completed three incredible editions, bringing together musicians from more than 20 countries across Africa, Oceania, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and America in a celebration of pure, independent artistry.

We also take immense pride in the John Anthony Guitar Contest, which has given talented guitarists well-deserved recognition. A huge thank you to Bigfoot Guitars for sponsoring the guitar in the 3rd year, and to Intercontinental Music Awards (ICMA) for co-sponsoring the contest for the past two years, elevating it to even greater heights.

Lazie Indie Magazine has forged significant partnerships to create something truly impactful for independent artists in India and beyond. At IIMF, we joined hands with Kerala Arts and Crafts Village ( Thanks to Satheesh and Sriprasad for their leadership in this effort) to provide a dedicated space for indie musicians.

We partnered with Intercontinental Music Awards and Bigfoot Guitars to co-sponsor the John Anthony Guitar Contest.

What’s most heartening is that while Lazie Indie Magazine has remained fiercely independent, each of these collaborations has grown into thriving, self-sustaining entities. Yet, all of them align with Lazie Indie Magazine’s core principle: to stay independent and support indie musicians worldwide without bias.

We will soon be announcing a couple of major partnerships that will offer something even more powerful for musicians. These new collaborations, like our IIMF-KACV partnership, involve some of the most respected names in the industry. Stay tuned! The announcement is just a few days away!

Personally, these five years have tested my patience and grit. Running this magazine at its best possible version while refusing to compromise on ideals has often meant walking a tightrope. We have faced challenges, criticism, failures, and the ever-present question: "Why are you doing this?"

We made sacrifices, struggled to make ends meet, and pushed forward against the odds. But through it all, we stayed, we served, and I can say with pride that we built something that matters.

This is a message for every dreamer out there—especially those just one step away from creating something meaningful of their own.

When I started the magazine, I received well-meaning advice: "You will make a fool of yourself and lose credibility as a musician because INDIE DO NOT HELP A FELLOW INDIE." And yes, there were moments of doubt. But I wanted to challenge this belief—to prove that musicians could rise above their struggles and support each other.

The bigger question: Can an indie musician, without millions of followers or corporate backing, create a global platform that only massive companies could have pulled off?

Five years later, I have my answer. Yes, it is possible. Because there are many who share this vision. When people see clarity in your actions and a commitment to values, they will join and partner with you for the cause.

So, as Chef Gusteau in Ratatouille famously said, "Anyone can cook", I can confidently say: "Anyone, from anywhere, who is willing to bite the bullet, work hard, and stay focused, can build something valuable for others." But in my humble opinion there are a few conditions:

• One must not be conceited or self-centered... Your world will always be smaller than yours and your fellow traveler's world put together.

• One must not be impatient as nothing is going to come soon!!!

• One must be willing to accommodate and give collaborators space to have ownership and pride in what they contribute.

• Finally, One must have the guts to say NO to anything that could compromise the cause.

  
  

To celebrate our 5th Anniversary, we will be arranging a few online talks. Some will be to announce our new initiatives, while others will simply be to share our thoughts. We will announce details soon and would love for each of you to join us!

This is only the beginning. The road ahead is vast, and we are ready to walk it with even more fire and purpose. The future holds new stories to tell, new artists to champion, and new battles to fight for the indie music revolution.

To every artist, reader, and supporter who believed in this vision—this milestone is yours as much as it is ours. Here’s to five years of defying the odds and many more ahead!

With gratitude and unyielding passion,

Jay Pillai

Founder & Editor, Lazie Indie Magazine