Prog post-rock meets spoken word poetry

Bengaluru-based band The Tramlines Project talks to Ishika Sethi about the evolution of its music.

For Rahul Seth, The Tramlines Project is more than just a progressive post-rock band he started in 2020; it is his “alter ego”. He views it as a channel through which he can express his emotions.

Take, for example, ‘Deep Trip’. Released in 2020, the single takes a look at his story, from college to adulthood and life as a musician. It sheds light on the struggles he faced along the way. In the single ‘Painting Time’, Seth reflects on the fleeting nature of time, emphasising that it doesn’t stop for anyone, and there is always so much to accomplish while it lasts.

While the band draws musical inspiration from European acts like God Is An Astronaut, Hubris, and Tides From Nebula, Seth’s background in literature and poetry shapes the band’s storytelling. He is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and financier.

It is a four-member band, with Seth as the core member and the others serving as session artistes. Guitarist Prajwal S, drummer and composer Anitra Das, and bassist Aniket Thyagarajan have been frequent collaborators with Seth on The Tramlines Project.

In its early years, Bengaluru-based band, with origins in Kolkata, focused on instrumental music. Over time, they incorporated vocals and spoken word poetry.

Their first album, ‘Perception’, was released in 2023. It explores the different ways people perceive others. Discussing the seven-track album, Seth says, “‘Right & Wrong’ looks at what is truly right and wrong. ‘Frostbite’ captures how life can sometimes feel so mechanical that your mind feels numb. Yet, through it all, we remain hopeful, and ‘Hope’ captures that sentiment.”

The band is currently working on their second album, set for release in 2026. Seth mentions they have incorporated violin and saxophone into their soundscape this time, and are aiming for a “grand and dreamy” feel. By 2027, they plan to tour Europe for live performances.

In the four years they’ve been active, the band has performed at major music events like Zomaland Bangalore and LiveBox Festival, and played alongside the Indian rock band Parvaaz. However, he notes that up and coming artistes face many challenges to stay afloat.

“If a product is shown to an audience repeatedly, people are more likely to remember it than something they haven’t seen. The same applies to artistes. If certain artistes are given more opportunities, they will stay top of mind for the audience. The music industry is dominated by a few organisers, and favouritism is prevalent.”

But rather than blaming music promoters, the band is focusing on improving their craft. “We need to step up our game and showcase our capabilities,” says the 34-year-old.