Inspiring the Next Generation: Our Mission at Indo Warehouse

The Journey of Indo Warehouse: Pioneering the Indo-House Movement to Coachella

Making history at Coachella, Indo Warehouse became the first South Asian dance music collective to perform on the iconic Gobi stage. With a vibrant display of live dhol drummers and traditional bhangra and garba dancers, they captivated the audience and showcased the rich cultural tapestry of South Asian music.

Founded by Armaan Gupta (known as Kahani) and Kunal Merchant, this New York-based collective has swiftly emerged as a significant influence in the dance music realm, blending deep house and techno with South Asian lyrics, rhythms, and sounds. In just three years, they transformed from hosting intimate shows in NYC to managing a dynamic team of over 40 dancers, producers, and artists.

The collective brings together a diverse lineup, including Anvaya, featuring singer-songwriter Sonia and multi-instrumentalist Kaushal; dance teams Raas Ruckus and Baaghi Bhangra; singers HYDR and PDNY; and dhol drummer Nihal Singh and his drumline.

Kahani and Kunal shared their inspirational journey to Coachella during an interview at the festival, discussing the intergenerational connections of dance music and folk art, their mission to inspire young South Asian creatives, and the quest to fill the gap in the Indo-house genre.

Watch Indo Warehouse – Dholna – Live at Coachella 2025 on YouTube:

Thanks for chatting with me. Can you tell me about the collective’s origins and your feelings about debuting at Coachella 2025?

Kahani: It feels amazing! We have one of the largest teams at the festival, with over 40 individuals, including dancers and artists. Achieving our goal of performing at Coachella within three years is a significant milestone. People often remark on how incredible it is that we made it to Coachella so quickly, but we envisioned this from the start and persevered.

You had a clear vision?

Kunal: Absolutely. We realized there was a space for South Asian culture in music, especially with the rise of global dance music. We were confident our music belonged here. Before our first party, we even stated on camera that we should be at Coachella, and now we are. The resonance we’re seeing with our mission is powerful; it combines South Asian culture with dance music authentically, and today’s performance will showcase that diversity.

Indo Warehouse at Coachella 2025 — Photo Courtesy of Coachella

Can you share the story behind Indo Warehouse and how you both believed this was destined?

Kahani: Music has always been our passion. Kunal’s long-standing love for dance music, combined with my background in South Asian music and dance, created a perfect synergy. Our first event in February 2022 was a 200-person gathering in NYC, and we aimed to double our attendance regularly. By the end of our first year, we organized a party for 800-900 people, which transitioned to a sold-out show at a venue with a 3,000-person capacity. We signed with UTA, toured North America, and performed in Europe, marking our third year with global recognition.

Can you elaborate on your expertise in South Asian dance and folk arts?

Kahani: My family has a rich cultural heritage, particularly from my Punjabi background. I learned Bhangra in college and became the captain of my dance team. I freelanced as a dancer for various teams for a decade. When we established Indo Warehouse, I wanted to authentically bring that energy to our performances. We incorporate Bhangra and Garba-Raas, along with live drumming, to create an immersive experience.

Kunal: We aim to promote South Asian creativity beyond just music and dance. Both of us have backgrounds in fashion and seek to highlight emerging South Asian designers. We recognized a gap in the market and are committed to showcasing our culture’s richness.

Does this drive your passion?

Kunal: Absolutely. We emphasize that our collective is more than just us. We see ourselves as a proof of concept for the vast talent within the South Asian community. Our performance at Coachella is just the beginning; we aim to uplift numerous South Asian artists over the next decade.

How did you get into dance music?

Kunal: My journey began in Texas, where I was exposed to house music on the radio. Attending my first rave was transformative, leading me to immerse myself in dance music. Despite societal expectations, my love for dance music remained a constant in my life and brought me to incredible places, including Coachella.

Kahani: Dance music is relatively new for me, but I became aware of it during the era of Swedish House Mafia and Afrojack. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I attended my first concert, which sparked my interest in the genre. Living in Tulum introduced me to a different sound of dance music, which inspired the concept of Indo House.

Is dance intertwined with South Asian cultural roots?

Kahani: Absolutely. Traditional folk dances are deeply entrenched in our cultural celebrations. For instance, Bhangra originated as a celebration during harvest time, with movements symbolizing agricultural practices. As we grow older, we start to appreciate the cultural significance behind these dances, and we now have the opportunity to share our creations with audiences in India.

During our first tour in India, we were anxious about how we would be received, given that we are creating something unique. However, we were welcomed with open arms, performing for 8,000 people in Mumbai.

As the only collective at Coachella, what does that signify?

Kunal: We believe we are paving the way for others to recognize the multi-dimensionality of our culture. The buzz from our performance indicates that our approach is resonating with audiences, connecting people of all ages. We are collaborating with numerous emerging artists to further showcase this diversity.

You’re preserving traditions for future generations.

Kunal: Exactly. We aim to demonstrate that our culture is just as relevant as any other in today’s world. We want to encourage individuals to embrace their heritage and express themselves through music and art.

In our culture, music is integral to every life event, from birth through significant milestones, reinforcing our connection to music.

How do you perceive the relationship between religion and raving?

Kahani: Raving can feel like a form of worship. Our work is not tied to any specific religion but is steeped in cultural expression. We want to empower individuals to embrace their creativity, whether through performance or music-making, even if their parents may have traditional views on career paths.

Success for us would be inspiring a young child to pursue their passion after seeing our performance at Coachella.

Kunal: Some of our dancers shared that after performing at Coachella, their classmates recognized them, which highlights our goal of inspiring the next generation.