NewtonKelson9: adding a pg w/ refs.

2026-03-24T13:39:48Z

adding a pg w/ refs.

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{{short description|Indian post-rock band}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Aswekeepsearching
| image = Aswekeepsearching_playing_in_New_Delhi,_India_in_2021.jpg
| caption = Aswekeepsearching performing in 2021
| image_size =
| landscape =
|alias = {{hlist|AWKS}}
| origin = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], India
| genre = {{Flatlist|
* [[Rock music|Rock]]
* [[post-rock]]
* [[Ambient music|ambient]]
}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| associated_acts = {{Flatlist|
* Ajay Jayanthi
}}
| website = {{URL|aswekeepsearching.in}}
| current_members = Uddipan Sarmah Robert Alex Sambit Chatterjee
| past_members = Shubham Gurung Gautam Deb Ashwin Naidu Tushar Verma
}}

'''Aswekeepsearching''' (stylized '''aswekeepsearching'''; often abbreviated as '''AWKS'''; pronounced "'''As We Keep Searching'''") is an Indian [[post-rock]] band formed in [[Ahmedabad]] in September 2013 as a home studio project by vocalist and guitarist Uddipan Sarmah and ex-guitarist and keyboardist Shubham Gurung. They have released four studio albums and two [[Extended play|EP]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/still-lot-of-scope-and-hope-for-upcoming-indie-music-artistes-post-rock-band-aswekeepsearching-2379127.html |title=Still Lot of Scope and Hope for Upcoming Indie Music Artistes: Post-rock Band aswekeepsearching |publisher=News 18 |date=16 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2019/jul/06/of-happily-evolving-in-post-rock-sounds-2000112.html |title=Of happily evolving in post rock sounds |publisher=The New Indian Express }}</ref>

The band has shared the stage with notable acts such as [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]], [[Fever 333]], [[Textures (band)|Textures]], [[Caspian (band)|Caspian]], [[God Is an Astronaut]], [[Steven Wilson]], [[65daysofstatic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/65daysofstatic-colour-haze-to-play-at-bengalurus-indie-march-festival-next-month/ |title=65daysofstatic, Colour Haze to Play at Bengaluru's Indie March Festival Next Month |date=5 February 2016 |work=Rolling Stone India}}</ref> pg.lost, [[Tides of Man]], [[Sleepmakeswaves]], [[the Contortionist]], [[Plini]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Dua Lipa]] and many more. Their fresh and emotive approach to the post-rock genre followed by their live performances have achieved notable success in India and internationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/indian-post-rockers-aswekeepsearching-go-deep-on-their-powerful-new-track/ |title=Indian Post-Rockers aswekeepsearching Go Deep On Their Powerful New Track |date=20 September 2019 |publisher=Kerrang }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/soul-sound-aswekeepsearching-the-hindi-post-rock-band/cid/1696173 |title=Soul sound: Aswekeepsearching, the Hindi post-rock band |newspaper=The Telegraph }}</ref>

==Career==
===2013–2014: Formation, early years and ''Growing Suspicions''===
In September 2013, the band began as a home studio project by vocalist and guitarist Uddipan Sarmah and keyboardist and guitarist Shubham Gurung in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The band released their debut EP ''Growing Suspicions'' in February 2014 featuring six tracks and two bonus tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/listen-ahmedabad-post-rock-band-keep-searching-release-debut-ep/ |title=Listen: Ahmedabad Post Rock Band As We Keep Searching Release Debut EP |work=Rolling Stone India |date=12 February 2014}}</ref> Uddipan and Shubham were joined by their friends Ashwin Naidu on the drums and Tushar Verma on the bass to play a couple of live shows in their home city.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

===2015–2016: ''Khwaab'' and Russia Tour===
{{multiple image
| align = left
| direction = vertical
| footer = Robert Alex (top) and Uddipan Sarmah (bottom)
| image1 = Robert Alex.jpg
| width1 = 210
| image2 = Uddipan Sarmah.jpg
| width2 = 210
}}
2015 saw the band come together as a live act with Robert Alex and Gautam Deb (from prominent [[Pune]]-based experimental metal band Noiseware) joining as members, ultimately leading to the launch of Aswekeepsearching's first full-length release titled ''Khwaab''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsjonline.com/reviews/aswekeepsearching--khwaab.html |title=Aswekeepsearching - Khwaab |publisher=Rock Street Journal}}</ref> (meaning "Dream"). Noiseware's guitarist/producer Adhiraj Singh tracked the album at Refractor Studio in Pune and joined the band as their live sound engineer.{{cn|date=January 2025}} The release of ''Khwaab'' was the moment that led to the start of a change in the Indian independent music circuit. With the music spreading like wildfire owing to its fresh and emotive approach, the band redefined the touring culture in India;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/interview-with-aswekeepsearching |title=aswekeepsearching: The uncovered interview |publisher=Red Bull |date=16 September 2016}}</ref> taking their music to a multitude of cities locally and also embarking on their first-ever overseas 5-city Russian Tour<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aswekeepsearching-announce-russia-tour-new-single/ |title=Aswekeepsearching Announce Russia Tour, New Single |date=7 October 2015 |work=Rolling Stone India }}</ref> where the band performed in [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Moscow]], [[Kazan]], [[Ekaterinburg]] and again in Moscow for their last show.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

===2017–2018: ''Zia'' and Europe Tour===
[[File: Aswekeepsearching live in Fandom Gilly's Redefined, Bangalore.jpg|thumb|Aswekeepsearching playing in Bangalore, India in 2019.]]
The extensive touring schedule of ''Khwaab'' brought them their sophomore record ''Zia'' (meaning "Light") – an eleven-track album birthed from the shared experiences of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aswekeepsearching-zia/ |title=Aswekeepsearching Switch Gears |date=21 March 2017 |publisher=Rolling Stone India}}</ref> ''Zia'' was released in April 2017 and gained appreciation from critics and fans alike. Expanding the sonic landscape, the band collaborated with like-minded artists on select songs, introducing Indian instrumentation such as the [[tabla]] and [[sitar]] into their already diverse soundscape. This made for a unique and enthralling listening experience for a global audience, setting a standard for modern post-rock.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Prior to the release of the album, Uddipan hosted a "Zia // Storytelling & Listening Session Tour" where he visited 13 cities and hosted a listening session to a select number of fans. The sessions were held in living rooms and jam pads.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aswekeepsearching-to-host-listening-sessions-across-india-for-new-album-zia/ |title=Aswekeepsearching to Host Listening Sessions Across India for New Album 'Zia' |date=6 March 2017 |website=rollingstoneindia.com |publisher=Rolling Stone India |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref> Post-release, the band went on to extensively tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/gigreview-aswekeepsearching-zia-album-launch/ |title=Gig Review: AsWeKeepSearching 'Zia' Album Launch, Mumbai |date=9 June 2017 |publisher=Rolling Stone India}}</ref> from selling out venues on their album launch tour to performing at premiere music festivals in India such as [[NH7 Weekender]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/bacardi-nh7-weekender-mix-of-desi-videshi-acts-dominates-day-1-4974811/ |title=Bacardi NH7 Weekender: Mix of desi-videshi acts dominates Day 1 |date=9 December 2017 |publisher=The Indian Express }}</ref> and VH1 Supersonic.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chakraborty |first1=Riddhi |last2=Tagat |first2=Anurag |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/vh1-supersonic-2018/ |title=Festival Review: Vh1 Supersonic 2018, Pune |date=20 February 2018 |website=rollingstoneindia.com |publisher=Rolling Stone India |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref>

In May 2018, the band embarked on their second overseas 15 City tour across Europe<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewildcity.com/news/6959-aswekeepsearching-announce-eu-tour |title=Aswekeepsearching Announce EU Tour |publisher=The Wild City |date=17 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/mumbaipune-based-rock-band-aswekeepsearching-captures-the-giddy-and-gruelling-moments-of-their-first-ever-europe-tour/ |title=Mumbai/Pune-Based Rock Band Aswekeepsearching Captures the Giddy and Gruelling Moments of Their First Ever Europe Tour |publisher=VICE |date=26 October 2018 }}</ref> with shows at notable post-rock outings like Dunk! Festival ([[Belgium]]) and Pelagic Fest ([[Germany]]); the band made a lasting impression on Europe. After returning from Europe, the band did the seven-city Homecoming Tour where they covered cities like [[Delhi]], [[Bangalore]], [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Guwahati]] and [[Shillong]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aswekeepesearching-prep-new-ep-announce-tour/ |title=Aswekeepesearching Prep New EP, Announce Tour |website=rollingstoneindia.com |date=27 August 2018 |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref>

===2019: ''Rooh'', Sambit’s entry in the band and the Rooh India Tour===
[[File:Sambit Chatterjee.jpg|thumb|Sambit Chatterjee]]
In May 2019, the band embarked on a five-city tour covering [[Mumbai]], [[Delhi]], [[Pune]], [[Bangalore]] and [[Kolkata]]. Later in July, after four years of being together, Gautam Deb left the band after finishing the drum tracking for their third album. The band's longtime friend and collaborator Sambit Chatterjee joined the band as the drummer.{{cn|date=January 2025}} Prior to the release of the album, Uddipan once again hosted an album listening session<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mensxp.com/culture/music/55701-i-experienced-half-an-hour-of-pure-music-at-aswekeepsearching-s-beautiful-intimate-listening-session.html |title=I Experienced Half An Hour Of Pure Music At Aswekeepsearching's Beautiful, Intimate Listening Session |publisher=MensXP |date=12 August 2019 }}</ref> and this time covered 20 cities. Finally, ''Rooh'' (meaning "Soul"), an eight-song album, was released in September 2019. The band then went on to tour nine cities across India – [[Guwahati]], [[Shillong]], [[Mumbai]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Delhi]], [[Bangalore]], [[Kolkata]], [[Kohima]] and [[Pune]] – promoting ''Rooh'', headlined numerous college festivals at prestigious institutions like the [[Indian Institutes of Technology|IIT]]s,{{cn|date=January 2025}} and also performed at the debut edition of the OnePlus Music Festival held at [[DY Patil Stadium]], [[Mumbai]] in November, where they got to share the stage with the likes of [[Amit Trivedi]], [[Dua Lipa]] and [[Katy Perry]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/oneplus-music-festival-the-six-who-will-rock-mumbai/ |title=OnePlus Music Festival: The six who will rock Mumbai! |date=8 November 2019 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

===2020-present: ''Sleep''===
While travelling to different cities for their performances, work on new music had already begun. In December 2019, the band laid the foundations for their next full-length release, in which they wanted to touch on the topic of mental health and its importance. In January 2020 they began the recording and pre-production process for the album ''Sleep'', which released on 17 April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://echoesanddust.com/2020/04/aswekeepsearching-sleep/ |title=REVIEW: ASWEKEEPSEARCHING – SLEEP |date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Echoes and Dust }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theindianmusicdiaries.com/aswekeepsearchings-upcoming-album-sleep-may-help-people-with-sleep-disorders/ |title=Aswekeepsearching's upcoming album 'Sleep' may help people with sleep disorders |date=3 April 2020 |publisher=The Indian Music Diaries }}</ref> The release of ''Sleep'' also saw the parting of ways with guitarist Shubham Gurung, as he wanted to focus his energies on his spiritual path.{{cn|date=January 2025}} In July 2020, the band spearheaded the campaign #foryourmind where they collaborated with independent artists like Hanita Bhambri, Raghav Meattle, Polar Lights, [[Mali (singer)|Mali]], [[Aditi Ramesh]], [[Bloodywood]], FOI, Street Stories, Gaurav Tophakhane, [[Swarathma]] and others across the country in an effort to raise awareness on mental health and wellness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewildcity.com/news/17759-raghav-meattle-hanita-bhambri-more-join-aswekeepsearching-s-mental-health-awareness-campaign-foryourmind |title=Raghav Meattle, Hanita Bhambri & More Join Aswekeepsearching's Mental Health Awareness Campaign '#foryourmind' |website=thewildcity.com |date=23 July 2020 |access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/foryourmind-music-and-art-in-aid-of-mental-health/article32212956.ece |url-access=subscription |title=#ForYourMind: music and art in aid of mental health |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 July 2020 |last1=Majumdar |first1=Meghna |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006213703/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/foryourmind-music-and-art-in-aid-of-mental-health/article32212956.ece |archive-date=6 October 2023 |url-status=deviated}}</ref>

==Members==
===Current members===
*Uddipan Sarmah – vocals, guitars (2013–present)
*Robert Alex – bass (2015–present)
*Sambit Chatterjee – drums, percussions (2017–present)

===Former members===
*Gautam Deb – drums (2015–2019)
*Shubham Gurung – guitars, keyboards (2013–2020)
*Ashwin Naidu – drums (2013–2015)
*Tushar Verma – bass (2013–2015)

===Timeline===
<div class="center" >
<timeline>
ImageSize = width:1000 height:350
PlotArea = left:110 bottom:120 top:0 right:30
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2021
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
id:vocals;guitars value:red legend:Vocals, guitars
id:guitar;keyboard value:green legend:Guitars, keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:2

ScaleMajor = increment:1 start:2013

LineData =
at:01/01/2015 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2017 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2019 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2020 color:black layer:back

BarData =
bar:Sarmah text:"Uddipan Sarmah"

bar:Gurung text:"Shubham Gurung"
bar:Verma text:"Tushar Verma"
bar:Alex text:"Robert Alex"
bar:Naidu text:"Ashwin Naidu"
bar:Deb text:"Gautam Deb"
bar:Chatterjee text:"Sambit Chatterjee"

PlotData=
width:13 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Sarmah from:01/01/2013 till:end color:vocals;guitars
bar:Gurung from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2020 color:guitar;keyboard
bar:Alex from:01/01/2015 till:end color:Bass
bar:Deb from:01/01/2015 till:01/01/2019 color:Drums
bar:Chatterjee from:01/01/2017 till:end color:Drums
bar:Naidu from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Drums
bar:Verma from:01/01/2013 till:01/01/2015 color:Bass
</timeline>
</div>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
'''''Khwaab'' (2015)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rsjonline.com/reviews/aswekeepsearching--khwaab.html |title=Aswekeepsearching - Khwaab |publisher=Rock Street Journal}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = Ativa
| length1 = 7:17
| title2 = In Circles
| length2 = 5:33
| title3 = We Sound Like Strangers
| length3 = 5:57
| title4 = Other Side
| length4 = 4:52
| title5 = When Will They Talk?
| length5 = 4:35
| title6 = Catalogues
| length6 = 5:33
| title7 = Banshee
| length7 = 6:35
| title8 = What If_?
| length8 = 4:46
| title9 = Life = Parallels
| length9 = 3:00
| title10 = The Moment
| length10 = 1:50
| title11 = B-303
| length11 = 5:29
| total_length = 55:27
}}

'''''Zia'' (2017)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aswekeepsearching-zia/ |title=Aswekeepsearching Switch Gears |date=21 March 2017 |publisher=The Rolling Stone India }}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = And Then Came Spring
| length1 = 5:48
| title2 = Sleep / / Awake
| length2 = 4:29
| title3 = Uns
| length3 = 4:41
| title4 = There You Are
| length4 = 3:27
| title5 = Reminiscence
| length5 = 4:38
| title6 = Kalga
| length6 = 7:11
| title7 = A New Solace
| length7 = 4:17
| title8 = Hope Unfolds
| length8 = 5:05
| title9 = Lights & Colors
| length9 = 4:00
| title10 = Sometime Somewhere
| length10 = 4:51
| title11 = Ascend
| length11 = 4:06
| total_length = 52:33
}}

'''''Rooh'' (2019)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mensxp.com/culture/music/55701-i-experienced-half-an-hour-of-pure-music-at-aswekeepsearching-s-beautiful-intimate-listening-session.html |title=I Experienced Half An Hour Of Pure Music At Aswekeepsearching's Beautiful, Intimate Listening Session |publisher=MensXP |date=12 August 2019 }}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = Chasing Light
| length1 = 5:31
| title2 = Green and Blue
| length2 = 4:04
| title3 = Aas Paas
| length3 = 5:59
| title4 = Eneke Najaaba
| length4 = 2:26
| title5 = Rooh
| length5 = 4:10
| title6 = A Night in Zottegem
| length6 = 4:08
| title7 = Aitbaar
| length7 = 5:10
| title8 = Gangtey
| length8 = 2:17
| total_length = 33:45
}}

'''''Sleep'' (2020)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://echoesanddust.com/2020/04/aswekeepsearching-sleep/ |title=REVIEW: ASWEKEEPSEARCHING – SLEEP |date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Echoes and Dust }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theindianmusicdiaries.com/aswekeepsearchings-upcoming-album-sleep-may-help-people-with-sleep-disorders/ |title=Aswekeepsearching's upcoming album 'Sleep' may help people with sleep disorders |date=3 April 2020 |publisher=The Indian Music Diaries }}</ref>
{{Track listing
| title1 = Glued
| length1 = 4:17
| title2 = 11 Degrees
| length2 = 3:52
| title3 = Dreams Are Real
| length3 = 3:33
| title4 = Sleep Now
| length4 = 4:37
| title5 = How Am I Supposed to Know
| note5 = featuring Ajay Jayanthi
| length5 = 4:47
| title6 = Let Us Try
| note6 = featuring Ajay Jayanthi
| length6 = 3:49
| title7 = Maybe There
| length7 = 3:46
| title8 = Sleep Again
| note8 = featuring Ajay Jayanthi
| length8 = 5:01
| total_length = 33:42
}}

'''''kyun?'' (2025)'''
{{Track listing
| title1 = why?
| length1 = 2:35
| title2 = you left something
| length2 = 6:23
| title3 = into the mind
| length3 = 4:07
| title4 = enter the heart
| length4 = 5:52
| title5 = nature of life
| length5 = 5:49
| title6 = happiness > god
| length6 = 5:02
| title7 = the search
| length7 = 4:36
| title8 = i'm here, with you!
| length8 = 5:28
| title9 = shayad bhool gaye
| length9 = 5:18
| title10 = of unsaid farewells
| length10 = 3:36
| total_length = 48:46
}}

===EPs===
'''''Growing Suspicions'' (2014)'''
{{Track listing
| title1 = The Tattva
| length1 = 6:36
| title2 = In Circles
| length2 = 6:09
| title3 = Shimmer of Light
| length3 = 3:26
| title4 = When Will They Talk?
| length4 = 4:25
| title5 = Banshee
| length5 = 6:37
| title6 = Aakorxon
| length6 = 5:36
| title7 = The Tattva (Leroi Mix)
| length7 = 4:03
| title8 = Aakorxon (Leroi Mix)
| length8 = 4:40
| total_length = 41:32
}}

'''''IIII'' (2020)'''
{{Track listing
| title1 = Ativa - Reprised Version
| length1 = 5:10
| title2 = Reminiscence - Reprised Version
| length2 = 5:33
| title3 = Rooh - Reprised Version
| length3 = 3:17
| total_length = 14:00
}}

===Singles===
'''"At Long Last" (2016)'''
{{Track listing
| title1 = At Long Last
| length1 = 3:15
| total_length = 3:15
}}

'''"The Tattva (Remastered)" (2019)'''
{{Track listing
| title1 = The Tattva (Remastered)
| length1 = 5:58
| total_length = 5:58
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.aswekeepsearching.in/ Official website]

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Indian indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Post-rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2013]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Gujarat]]

Aswekeepsearching - Revision history

NewtonKelson9: adding a pg w/ refs.