The Rise of Lazie Indie Magazine: A Global Movement for Independent Musicians
Wiki Article
In May 2020, when much of the world was forced into isolation, live music came to an abrupt standstill. Concerts were canceled, festivals postponed, and independent musicians faced a sudden vacuum where opportunities once stood. For many, it was a time of uncertainty. For Jay Pillai, an independent musician from India with over three decades of experience, it became the moment to build something new.
Together with his childhood friend and longtime bandmate Manoj—drummer for their bands The Autumnleaf and later Lazie J—Jay had been running a YouTube spotlight series featuring indie musicians he knew personally. The series gave artists a stage during a time when stages were closed. Yet Jay wanted to go further, to create something lasting. The idea soon took form as Lazie Indie Magazine.
On May 27, 2020, the first edition of the magazine was released. What started as a keepsake for the musicians who had appeared on the spotlight series quickly transformed into a monthly publication. From that point onward, without missing a single cycle, a new edition has appeared on the 27th of every month.
A Platform Without Barriers
From the beginning, Lazie Indie Magazine stood apart because of its purpose. The magazine’s vision was clear: to find and promote talented independent musicians regardless of origin, background, or status. Every edition was built on the principle of inclusivity, where each artist featured was given equal attention and space to tell their story.
This clarity of mission struck a chord with the independent music community. In only a short time, the magazine began click here to attract readers across the globe. Today, it is read in more than 100 countries, while the artists featured hail from over 50 nations spanning multiple continents.
Written by Musicians, for Musicians
What makes Lazie Indie Magazine unique is that it is built by people who have lived the life of an artist. Its columnists are themselves established musicians or professionals in the industry. They contribute not for commercial gain, but out of a genuine commitment to supporting their peers. Their voices lend authenticity to the magazine, and their perspectives resonate strongly with readers and fellow musicians.
This authenticity has helped Lazie Indie Magazine become more than a publication. It has become a community. Thousands of musicians now consider themselves part of the Lazie Indie Family, united not just by the magazine, but by a shared belief in the power of independent music.
Growth Into a Global Festival
The growth of Lazie Indie Magazine has not been confined to its pages. It has also inspired larger projects, most notably the International Indie Music Festival (IIMF), launched in partnership with the Kerala Tourism Department subsidiary KACV. The festival brings together musicians from across the globe for live performances and collaboration. With three editions successfully completed, IIMF has earned recognition for its ambitious lineups and for its role in giving independent artists a global stage.
A Movement Beyond Music
Looking back on its journey, founder and editor Jay Pillai describes the transformation Music Magazine with clarity:
“A lot of people ask me if this is a passion project for me. I would say when one’s passion project becomes a passion project for many, we call it a movement.”
What began during the silence of a global lockdown has grown into a movement that champions independent creativity. Lazie Indie Magazine has proven that music thrives when platforms are built on fairness, inclusivity, and passion. It stands today not just as a magazine, but as a symbol of resilience and unity within the independent music world.
For artists, it is a place to be heard. For readers, it is a chance to discover voices from every corner of the globe. And for the broader creative community, it is a reminder that even in difficult times, a simple idea can grow into a movement with global impact.