The seasoned rocker is clearly ex­cited about the band’s US gig and hopes fans who come out to support the worthy cause will be treated to some incredible music. “People should come to the show because it’s not just a fundraiser but an awareness raising event. You will get to know more about what they are doing. A lot of people feel they want to help, but helping is being convinced in what you’re sup­porting, not funding charities where most money goes to salaried and things like that. That’s why A.I.D is so good because everyone is a volunteer and nobody is paid. People can also support the cause (and find out more) by going onto the A.I.D website (http://tempe.aidindia.org) and seeing what it’s all about,” he said. “You’ll have a fun show enjoying listening to us. We are going to be playing a lot of songs the fans like, the big hits from the Peepli Live, Black Friday, Kandisa soundtracks and also some new stuff.”

The new material Rahul referred to are tracks from the latest album the band recently released free on the internet. These songs have an added significance because they are the last that band member Asheem Chakravarty was involved in before he tragically died in 2009. “This album has all the last songs that Asheem was part of composing and recording. It’s got his ideas in it and jamming that he was part of, so it’s kind of like an Asheem tribute, more than our normal albums,” said Rahul. So had the sound of Indian Ocean changed and how would Rahul describe it now? He smiled: “I really try not to describe our mu­sical style, because it confuses me. I don’t have a word for it. Lots of inspirations have developed our music. Influences come from all over and we just make music we like. So without trying, we always end up with a sound that represents us. “I think our sound can firstly pass on some good music. Secondly, we are so influenced by our own [Indi­an] groups and I think the band In­dian Ocean is a live reflection of the fact that Indians are proud of their own culture. For years we’ve been listening to the west, so I think that’s lessened. I think it’s a good sign of self-recognition and affirmation.” When Rahul was asked to choose a highlight of his career, he said one immediately came to mind. “Well, I actually performed for Nelson Mandela. Though it was not as part of Indian Ocean, for me that was an awesome experience.”

Finally, what would he say was the key to being a really good musician? “Oh, that’s hard. A lot of it actually you can’t learn. But the key idea is a lot of hard work, con­tinued practice of your art and a belief in yourself. And it’s true for anything you want to do really, not just music.”