After nearly a decade lurking in obscurity, Peter Cat Recording Co. (PCRC) emerged from the hazy, smog-choked streets of Delhi to make their mark on the global stage with Bismillah in 2019. Their music is difficult to pin down, a genre-defying blend of 21st-century pop, jazz, and folk, drawing on influences from across time and space. Picture something that could play in the background of a Star Trek holodeck – sounds familiar yet otherworldly.
Formed by frontman Suryakant Sawhney after he dropped out of film school, PCRC began as an experiment in DIY recording, with their debut album Sinema pieced together from YouTube tutorials and launched from a living room in Delhi. The band’s early years were spent in the city’s Hauz Khas Village, a place where the medieval rubs shoulders with the modern, refining their craft in makeshift studios, throwing small DIY gigs, and chasing a vision of what their music might become.
The release of Bismillah was the turning point for PCRC. Songs like ‘Memory Box’ and ‘Floated By’ slowly began to find their audience in the U.S. and Europe, gaining momentum during the pandemic and eventually leading to sold-out tours. Now, with their new album BETA – named in honour of the birth of drummer Karan Singh’s son – the band embarks on their most ambitious chapter yet: a sprawling 77-date tour that stretches from North America to Europe and India.
In this conversation, frontman Suryakant Sawhney reflects on the journey, the music, and the shifting dynamics of life, art, and performance.
whynow: The title of your new album, BETA, was chosen in a rather charming way – by a band member’s child. Did this playful approach shape the album’s creative direction in any way?
Suryakant Sawhney: The title came right at the end. We had a few names written down and thought it would be fun to let Karan’s kid pick from the hat. BETA seemed to fit, especially as the album reflects these new life changes – marriage, children, that whole cycle. It was fitting.
whynow: Your music often feels deeply personal. Do you see Peter Cat Recording Co. as part of India’s tradition of protest music, or is it more introspective than that?
Suryakant Sawhney: It’s definitely more introspective. Our music is autobiographical, and while it might inspire people to engage with their own lives, I wouldn’t say it’s overtly political. Our contribution, if any, is showing another kind of Indian identity – one that’s not layered in stereotypes or generalisations.
whynow: Your band’s name has an iconic connection to Kolkata’s Peter Cat restaurant. Was there any deeper cultural significance behind the name, or was it more of a youthful adventure?
Suryakant Sawhney: (Laughs) No deep cultural significance, I’m afraid. It was more of a questionable youthful decision. We didn’t realise there’d be any confusion with the restaurant.
whynow: The song ‘Shit I’m Dreaming’ seems to echo themes of illusion and the transient nature of life, which are central to Indian philosophy. Was there any intentional influence from these philosophies?
Suryakant Sawhney: Absolutely. Indian philosophy is baked into me, thanks to my upbringing. The dream-like quality of existence, the fleeting nature of everything – that’s a deeply human question and one that resonates in a lot of our work.
whynow: 77 tour dates, including a mix of support for Khruangbin and your own headline shows, is quite a marathon. How do you prepare for such an extensive tour, and do you adapt your setlist depending on the venue or audience?
Suryakant Sawhney: The setlist changes a bit depending on the show and how we feel that night. But with a tour like this, you need discipline – especially when it comes to diet, drinking, and smoking. Everyone finds their own balance.
whynow: Your work often resists being pinned down to one genre or scene. Do you think you’ve continued to transcend musical boundaries with BETA, or has it marked a point where you’re starting to define your sound more clearly?
Suryakant Sawhney: We’ve always been fluid, and I think the whole world of music is moving towards this lack of definition. I don’t see that changing for us anytime soon.
whynow: The album art for BETA was inspired by an image from Bangkok’s Chinatown. How important are visuals in shaping the identity of your music?
Suryakant Sawhney: Visuals are definitely important, but they come after the music. I’m always collecting things I find interesting – art, field recordings – and later, when we’re ready, we see what fits. There’s always a bit of serendipity involved.
whynow: You’ve mentioned before that American audiences are quieter during shows, almost creating a ‘weird spiritual thing.’ How does the energy of different audiences around the world impact your performance?
Suryakant Sawhney: PCRC audiences, regardless of where we are, have a similar vibe. We’re not the most widely known band, so our shows create this shared space where listeners can find each other. It’s less about nationality and more about that collective understanding.
whynow: India’s music scene is diverse but often overshadowed by Bollywood. How have you navigated this, and what challenges have you faced in gaining recognition, both domestically and internationally?
Suryakant Sawhney: We’ve been lucky, but it’s taken a lot of perseverance. The key is to be sincere in what you’re doing and ignore the noise. The biggest challenge has always been staying consistent and not letting our own indiscipline get in the way.
whynow: Finally, what can we expect from Peter Cat Recording Co. in the near future?
Suryakant Sawhney: More music, more visual projects. We’re all moving into the same house, so our workflow’s going to be stronger for the next year or so. We’ve got a lot coming up.
Related Stories
- ‘Feeling like no one’s listening to you or gives a sh*t about you, that’s a really powerful place to create from’ | Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell interviewed.
Razorlight are back with Planet Nowhere. Johnny Borrell talks to whynow about moving forward, the band’s classic lineup reunion, and why nostalgia just isn’t enough. - ‘I’ve always been drawn to the morbid and depressing, even though I’m not like that in real life’ | Gia Ford interviewed
The rising indie star talks about the challenges of music discovery in the age of algorithms and how she stays true to her love for organic, human-driven experiences. - ‘Carlotta held my hand and said, ‘Everything is going to be fine’, it was such a release – I didn’t need to be strong Ana in that moment’ | Hinds interviewed
After a tumultuous few years, Hinds return with VIVA HINDS, an album that so honestly reflects the unbreakable bond between Ana Perrote and Carlotta Cosials. - Lana Del Rey at Reading Festival review | Theatrical set marred by unplanned obstacles
★★★☆☆
At Reading Festival, Lana Del Rey delivered a mesmerizing set filled with fantasy and tenderness, though technical issues and a shortened encore dulled the impact of her headline performance. - Fred Again at Reading Festival review | Historic set rewrites the future of festival headliners
★★★★★
From a pandemic-fuelled rise to festival domination, Fred Again..’s unforgettable set at Reading Festival showcased the power of electronic music and solidified his place as a top-tier live performer.
Keep up to date with the best in UK music by following us on Instagram: @whynowworld and on Twitter/X: @whynowworld
