Mumbai Mayhem: A Drummer's Dizzying Dive
okay, so mumbai. where do i even begin? i just got back, and honestly, my brain feels like a cymbal that’s been hit way too hard. i’m leo, by the way, touring session drummer - mostly weddings and corporate gigs these days, but occasionally i get dragged into something… interesting. like this.
let’s just say the brief was… vague. “authentic indian experience,” they said. “capture the pulse of the city,” they said. i mostly captured a mild case of heatstroke and a deep appreciation for air conditioning. i just checked and it's hovering around twenty-seven degrees, with a 'feels like' of twenty-six. the humidity is a solid twenty percent, which basically means you’re sweating before you even leave the building. pressure’s steady, though, at a thousand and twelve.
my hotel was… an experience. near *Crawford Market, which is a sensory overload in the best and worst ways. Seriously, go. But maybe bring a gas mask. I overheard a guy telling his friend, “Don’t eat anything from that stall with the pigeons. Trust me.” Drunk advice, probably, but I took it to heart. I ended up sticking to chai and the occasional samosa from a place that looked relatively clean.
getting around is… an adventure. Auto-rickshaws are your friend, but negotiate hard. I paid way too much the first few times. Someone told me that the drivers are notorious for ripping off tourists. Apparently, there’s a whole online community dedicated to sharing fair prices - check out this local forum: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g297604-i10973-Mumbai_Maharashtra.html.
music, obviously, was the main draw. i spent a couple of nights in Bandra, checking out the live music scene. Found this tiny bar called The Habitat - seriously cool vibe, amazing cocktails, and a local band playing some seriously funky fusion stuff. Definitely worth a detour. I even managed to jam with them for a bit - felt good to lay down some beats in a new environment.
“Apparently, the best vada pav in the city is at a street vendor near Victoria Terminus. But be prepared to wait in line. Like, a long line.”
and the food! oh man, the food. I tried to be adventurous, but my stomach isn’t quite as brave as I am. I did manage a decent biryani, though. And the chai… the chai is a religion. I’m pretty sure I consumed my body weight in chai.
if you get bored, Pune and Nashik are just a short train ride away. I didn’t have time to explore them properly, but I heard they’re both worth a visit.
gear list, because, you know, drummer things:
My trusty Remo heads (essential for any gig, anywhere)
Noise-canceling headphones (seriously, you’ll need them)
A universal adapter (obvious, but crucial)
A small first-aid kit (for minor scrapes and heat exhaustion)
A phrasebook (hindi is harder than it looks)
Wet wipes (so. many. wet wipes.)
“Don’t make eye contact with the monkeys. They’re smarter than you think.”
seriously, the monkeys. they’re everywhere. and they’re not afraid to steal your snacks. I saw one snatch a banana right out of a tourist’s hand. It was… impressive.
overall? Mumbai is chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly captivating. It’s not a relaxing vacation, but it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Just be prepared to sweat, haggle, and dodge a few monkeys. And maybe pack an extra pair of earplugs. You can find some good reviews on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Mumbai&find_loc=Mumbai%2C+Maharashtra%2C+India.
pro-tip: learn a few basic hindi phrases. even just “hello” and “thank you” will go a long way. and always, always* carry small change.
and for all you fellow musicians out there, hit me up if you’re ever in town. We’ll jam.
check out this site for more info on local music events: https://www.bookmyshow.com/live-events/mumbai
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