Anurag Tagat is an assistant editor at Rolling Stone India and a freelance music journalist and critic, with work appearing in The Hindu, Vogue India, Variety, News9 Live, Firstpost, HT Mint, MusicPlus and IndieGaga. Growing up for the most part in Mumbai and discovering India’s independent music space in the city, he moved to Bangalore a few years ago for more music and stories.
What does a journey mean to you?
A journey is always excitement, you never know what might happen along the way or who you’ll meet or meet again! I’ve always valued my journeys, even when they’ve been absolutely torrid. Plus, I get to bring out the ol’ iPod and let shuffle mode do its magic.
Which country or location most inspires you?
I really enjoyed my trip to Wacken Open Air, the metal festival in Germany. I went there in 2015 and every time I think back to the wonderful friends I made and the absolutely kick-ass bands I saw, I know that I’ll never want to stop writing about music.
Where would you go back to and why?
London. I studied journalism there for a year and got to know so much of the city and its suburbs. The curries from Brick Lane are legit too spicy, though, so I’ll pass on that! I loved the venues, Greenwich Park, and walking around pretty much all of the city looking for great food.
Top insider tip for Mumbai?
If you ever need lunch on the go, every local train station is surrounded by at least one exceptional snack store and my choice is always vada pav. It’s filling and not expensive, so you may as well grab some to go.