Meet Outstation: The Gen Z boy band turning I-pop into India’s new sound

"India's Gen Z boy band Outstation, still early in their journey, is making serious noise. The five-member group - aged between 17 and 22 - has already opened for global star Akon at his Mumbai concert. They are backed by the Visva label of global hitmaker Savan Kotecha (of One Direction and Ariana Grande fame), positioning them as a homegrown I-pop act for Indian youth.

On April 4, they performed at Shilpagram, launching their new track Aaj Kal, a soft, melodious number.

Main character energy

Off stage, the energy is just as telling. Mashaal walks in with unmistakable flair rings, chains, accessories doing half the talking before he does. Bhuvan is shy, but that disarming smile lands instantly. Kurien is sharp and crisp in his responses, while Hemaang, measured and observant, balances the group's energy. And then there is Shayan, the youngest, chirpiest, and perhaps the most unfiltered.

A very Indian origin story

The name, like the band, comes from something deeply familiar. Growing up, all of them remember writing "going out of station" in school leave applications. Now, living in Mumbai but coming from different parts of the country (Goa, Karnataka, Delhi, Prayagraj, Hyderabad), the phrase stuck.

"None of us are from Mumbai, so we're all outstation," they say, almost in chorus, before adding with a laugh, "Also, it just sounded cool."

They came together as a band through a nationwide audition process, and a rigorous boot camp.

Finding their sound

Their debut track Tumse-romantic, energetic, and distinctly unformulaic, was an instinctive choice. "From the first time we heard it, we knew it had to be our first song," Mashaal says, while Shayan jumps in to add that even after performing it thousands of times, "it still feels fresh."

Guwahati moment: when it felt real

The band recounts how their show here last year drew an overwhelming response - far beyond what they had anticipated. "We had around 3,000+ RSVPs... we couldn't even get our car inside," Shayan says, elated thoroughly. Despite travel hiccups, including a delayed flight, they made it a point to show up. "We didn't want to cancel. When we came, people were already singing our songs," Bhuvan adds, smiling.

"That was the first time we saw that many people come just for us," the group says, almost in sync.

"The crowd here is very stylish," they say. "In other cities, we just wear whatever we have. But for Guwahati, we actually have to think - like really plan our outfits."

Collabs on the wishlist

While the band is focused on building its own sound, collaborations are very much on their radar. From Bollywood, names like Arijit Singh come up instantly, reflecting their admiration for strong vocal storytelling. At the same time, they are equally keen on global collaborations - with inspirations ranging from Justin Bieber to top international producers like Poo Bear.

"It would be really nice to collaborate - music is always better when it's done together," they say.

Passengers, this one's for you

As the conversation loosens, so does the structure - answers overlap, jokes fly across, and the group sits back to relax. There's no single frontman here, just five boys growing into something bigger, together.