Guitarist and producer Bhargav Choudhury, who was born in Guwahati, is representing Guwahati with pride on the international music scene, from Assam to the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented musician in a candid chat. Excerpts..

What is your most vivid musical memory from your time in Guwahati? Is there a specific sound, instrument, or local artist that formed the “DNA” of your playing style?

Bhargav Choudhury– My most vivid musical memories from Guwahati are tied to the sounds I grew up around in Assam. I was always surrounded by Assamese music at home and in the community. One artist I was especially drawn to was the late Zubeen Garg. My parents also played a lot of Bhupen Hazarika’s classic records, so those melodies became part of my musical foundation very early.

I also used to attend Bihu festivals every year, and I was always attracted to the musicians on stage — not just the songs, but the instruments, the live energy, and even the gear they were using. Those experiences shaped the way I think about melody.

Moving from Assam to Los Angeles in 2016 for the Musicians Institute must have been a seismic shift. What was the most challenging part of adapting to a musical environment as fast-paced and competitive as LA?

Bhargav Choudhury- Moving from Assam to Los Angeles in 2016 to study at Musicians Institute was a huge shift for me. The most challenging part was adjusting to the speed and competitiveness of the LA music scene. Back home, I had a strong musical foundation and a lot of passion, but LA immediately showed me that talent alone is not enough. You have to be prepared, professional, consistent, and ready for any opportunity.

At Musicians Institute, I was surrounded by musicians from all over the world, each with different styles, techniques, and levels of experience. That pushed me to work harder, expand my vocabulary as a guitarist, and become more versatile. It was intimidating at first, but it also helped me grow quickly.

Another challenge was building a network from scratch. I had to create relationships with local musicians, producers, artists, and venues while also learning how the industry works in the United States. Over time, persistence helped me adapt.

Do you still find yourself subconsciously weaving elements of your upbringing in Northeast India into your modern production or improvisation style?

Bhargav Choudhury- Yes, definitely. I think those elements come through naturally, even when I am not consciously trying to add them. Growing up in Northeast India, especially in Assam, I was surrounded by melodies that had a strong emotional and folk quality. At the same time, I was introduced to Western music at a very early age by my brother and my friends, and that also had a huge impact on me. Discovering rock, blues, and other Western styles opened up a completely different world of guitar playing, songwriting, and production.

In my playing, I often find myself leaning toward melodic phrasing rather than just technical guitar parts. Even when I am working in rock, blues, funk, or modern production, I try to make the guitar sing in a way that feels honest and emotional.

Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room aren’t just clubs; they are historic landmarks where legends have been made. How did it feel to step onto those stages for the first time, knowing the history embedded in those floors?

Bhargav Choudhury- The first time I played the Whisky a Go Go, I still remember being so excited that I could barely sleep the night before. Just thinking about the fact that so many of my favorite bands and artists had performed on that same stage made the moment feel much bigger than just another show.

The Viper Room had a similar feeling. These are not just clubs; they are part of the story of rock music in Los Angeles. Playing those stages made me feel connected to a much larger musical legacy.

Now, after almost a decade of being in Los Angeles, I have performed at the Whisky a handful of times, and on July 15, 2026, my band will be headlining the Whisky a Go Go. That feels very surreal.

Performing at the 2025 NCAA halftime show is a massive leap in scale compared to club gigs. How do you prepare differently for an audience of that size and energy versus an intimate residency?

Bhargav Choudhury– I try to approach every gig with the same consistency, preparation, and energy, whether it is a small club, a residency, or a large-scale event like the 2025 NCAA halftime show. The size of the audience changes, but the mindset has to stay the same.

That being said, the NCAA halftime show was definitely one of the more challenging gigs in terms of logistics and management.

But once you are confident in the music and prepared with your band, you are ready to perform, no matter what the venue is. The audience reaction during the halftime show was remarkable, and that energy pushed us to deliver an even stronger performance.

A residency at the Hollywood Roosevelt requires a performer to be both reliable and constantly evolving. How do you maintain your creative spark when you are a “fixture” in such an iconic venue?

Bhargav Choudhury- A residency at the Hollywood Roosevelt was a very special experience because it pushed me to become more consistent as a performer, while still finding ways to keep the music fresh every time. When you are playing regularly at an iconic venue like that, you cannot treat it like just another gig. You have to show up prepared, professional, and ready to deliver every night.

For me, the creative spark comes from staying connected to the band, the audience, and the moment. Even if some songs are familiar, every night has a different energy. The crowd is different, the room feels different, and the interaction between the musicians can take the performance somewhere new.

I also try to keep evolving as a player by experimenting with my tone, phrasing, improvisation, and stage presence. A residency gives you the chance to refine things in real time.

Being a fixture in a place like the Hollywood Roosevelt is both an honor and a responsibility.

The music industry in Los Angeles is often portrayed as cutthroat. What is one misconception about “making it” in Hollywood that you wish people back home understood?

Bhargav Choudhury- One misconception about “making it” in Hollywood is that people think it happens overnight or through one big break. In reality, it is a long process of being consistent, prepared, and professional, and persistent every single day.

Los Angeles can definitely be competitive, but it is not only cutthroat. There are also a lot of supportive musicians, producers, artists, and industry people here. Over the years, I have built strong relationships with local musicians in LA and across the United States, and those relationships have helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I wish people back home understood that success here is not just about talent.

Talent is important, but it takes patience, belief, and a strong mindset.

As both a guitarist and a producer, how do those two roles feed off each other?

Bhargav Choudhury- As a guitarist and a producer, both roles constantly feed off each other. My guitar background helps me think about emotion, melody, dynamics, and performance when I am producing. I don’t just look at a song technically; I listen for how it feels, where the energy should rise, where the arrangement needs space, and how each part supports the vocal or the main idea.

At the same time, being a producer has made me a more thoughtful guitarist. I have learned that sometimes the best guitar part is not the most complicated one. Producing has taught me to think about tone, texture, layering, and how the guitar sits in the full track instead of only focusing on my own performance.

It has also taught me how to work with different artists and musicians.

So the two roles balance each other.

Does your production background change how you perceive the “space” you fill on stage with a guitar?

Bhargav Choudhury– Yes, definitely. My production background has changed the way I think about the space I fill on stage as a guitarist. When you produce music, you start to understand that every instrument has a specific role in the overall sound. That mindset carries over into my live playing.

On stage, I am not only thinking about playing guitar parts. I am thinking about where the guitar sits in the full band, how it supports the vocals, how it interacts with the bass and drums, and when it should come forward or stay back.

Producing has made me more aware of tone, dynamics, texture, and arrangement in a live setting.

I think that balance, knowing when to fill the space and when to respect the space, has made me a more mature and musical player on stage.

What is the specific moment or “pinch-me” accomplishment in your career so far that made you realize, “I’ve truly arrived here”?

Bhargav Choudhury– There have been a few “pinch-me” moments in my career where I had to step back and realize how far the journey has come.

One of the biggest is performing at Louder Than Life, which is one of the biggest festivals in North America. To be part of a lineup and stage at that level is something I dreamed about when I first started playing guitar.

Another one is headlining the Whisky a Go Go with my band.

But beyond the big stages, one of the most meaningful accomplishments is starting my own production company and being able to live a sustainable life through music.

How does it feel to look back and see your hometown rooting for you from thousands of miles away?

Bhargav Choudhury- It feels very emotional and humbling. Coming from Guwahati, Assam, and building my career thousands of miles away in Los Angeles has not always been easy, so knowing that people back home are rooting for me means a lot.

It reminds me that no matter how far I go, my roots are still connected to everything I do.

If you could send a piece of advice back in time to the “Guwahati-based” version of yourself in 2015, what would you say to him before he boards that plane to California?

Bhargav Choudhury- If I could send one piece of advice back to the Guwahati-based version of myself in 2015, I would tell him: trust the journey, but be ready to work harder than you think.

Moving to California will change your life, but it will not happen overnight. There will be challenges, lonely moments, financial pressure, and times when you question whether you made the right decision. But if you stay consistent, keep improving, and believe in what you are doing, things will slowly start to connect.

I would also tell him not to lose his roots and to be patient. Do not compare your timeline to anyone else’s.

What is the next frontier for your music? Is there a specific project or style you are itching to tackle next?

Bhargav Choudhury- The next frontier for my music is to keep growing as both an artist and a producer. I want to continue building my production company, Stereo Sanctuary, and work with more artists from different parts of the world.

Stylistically, I am excited to explore more guitar-driven rock, blues, funk, fusion, and modern production while still keeping melodic and folk-influenced elements from my roots.

I am also focused on writing more music with my band and taking these songs to bigger stages.

With upcoming shows, new releases, and touring, I feel like the next chapter is about expanding the sound, reaching more people, and continuing to build a sustainable life through music.