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In conversation with Anushka 'Nush' Lewis, contemporary harpist, music education innovator, and academic facilitator at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai.

Nush's journey defies conventional paths in Indian music. From accidentally discovering the harp at KM Music Conservatory to releasing three critically acclaimed EPs and opening for The Cinematic Orchestra, she's carved out a unique space as one of India's rare contemporary harpists. But her impact extends far beyond performance: recognizing fundamental gaps in India's music education ecosystem, she founded OffSet Education in 2017, launched India's first music education podcast, and built a 300+ member community of educators nationwide. Today, as Academic Facilitator at Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, India's first campus of the prestigious UK institution, she's bridging the gap between traditional music pedagogy and global industry standards, mentoring the next generation of producers and sound engineers at a fraction of international costs.

In this episode, we explore Nush's evolution from performing at festivals like Ziro and Adelaide Fringe to pioneering structured music education in India, unpack how OffSet Education is addressing systemic challenges through community-driven solutions, gender politics in the music industry and discover why Abbey Road Institute's arrival in Mumbai represents a pivotal moment for India's music industry.

Join us for a delightful conversation about artistry, education, and the transformation of India's music landscape - from grassroots communities to global institutions.

For more on OffSet Education, visit www.offsetlive.in. Got questions or feedback? Drop us a line at hello@lextalkmusic.com.

This podcast is purely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Kindly consult a legal practitioner for specific advice on legal issues/ disputes.

© Sandhya Surendran, 2025. All rights reserved.

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In conversation with Spek—hip-hop artist, cultural bridge-builder, and the founder & CEO of PopArabia and ESMAA.

Spek’s trajectory is anything but ordinary. From rapping with Canada’s Dream Warriors and collaborating with Jamiroquai and Nitin Sawhney, he’s evolved into a music-rights visionary who’s reshaping how Arabic repertoire is represented—and paid for—around the world.

After years on stage and in the studio and a pivotal stint on the music business side in the UK, Spek moved to the UAE to launch the region’s first serious music-publishing footprint and was instrumental in establishing Reservoir's global presence. Today, PopArabia sub-publishes heavyweight catalogs from Sony, Concord, Kobalt, and more, while its joint venture with Reservoir pushes Arabic songwriting onto global playlists. Through ESMAA, Spek and his team are also tackling the Gordian knot of performance, mechanical, and neighboring rights across the Gulf—so regional creators finally see fair royalties.

In this episode we trace Spek’s intriguing journey from Montreal mixtapes to music publishing mastermind, unpack the business model that lets PopArabia champion Arabic culture without sacrificing global ambition, and hear why Southeast Asia—especially India—is next on his roadmap with the launch of PopIndia.

Join us for a deep dive into PopArabia’s evolution, ESMAA’s mission, and Spek’s vision for the music industry - from MENA to now, the Indian subcontinent.

For more on PopArabia and ESMAA, visit www.poparabia.com. Got questions or feedback? Drop us a line at hello@lextalkmusic.com.

This podcast is purely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Kindly consult a legal practitioner for specific advice on legal issues/ disputes.

© Sandhya Surendran, 2025. All rights reserved.

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In conversation with Prarthana Sen and Vishruti Bindal, the founders of Neon Culture and driving forces behind the Deccan Alternative Music Conference (DAMC).

Prarthana Sen and Vishruti Bindal bring a wealth of experience and passion to India’s independent music landscape, making significant strides toward fostering a more inclusive and innovative industry.

Prarthana, formerly with Sofar Sounds, played a pivotal role in building global communities and providing indie artists with an intimate, impactful platform to showcase their talent. As one of the founding members of Music Tech India—and notably the only woman in the founding team—she has championed innovation and equity in music tech and indie spaces alike.

Vishruti, a multi-faceted music business professional has worked across audio engineering, music curation, artist management, education, and music supervision. She currently serves as an instructor at Berklee, teaching the Global Emerging Markets and Music Cities Policy module, and as Project Manager at Sound Diplomacy’s Momentual. Vishruti led the Bengaluru Music City analysis in 2021, creating the city’s only primary data source for music, and spearheaded the Music Cities European Exchange 2023 in collaboration with the EU Commission.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of these two trailblazing women, the inception of Neon Culture, and their vision for DAMC. They share insights into their respective career trajectories, their dedication to community building and advocacy, and how they’re shaping Neon Culture to amplify independent voices.

Join us as we discuss the origins of DAMC, its transformative role in India’s music industry, and what to expect from its second edition in Kochi this February 7th and 8th, 2025.

For more details about DAMC, visit www.deccanalt.in. For any other query, please write into hello@lextalkmusic.com.

This podcast is purely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Kindly consult a legal practitioner for specific advice on legal issues/ disputes.

© Sandhya Surendran, 2025. All rights reserved.