How Bassist Harshit Misra Got His Groove On

The New Delhi-based artist on becoming a go-to sessions man for the likes of Sid Sriram, Prateek Kuhad and his role in electronica group DCF_Shapes.

- Anurag Tagat

On a cold late afternoon in New Delhi’s crowded but enticing S.D.A. Market in Hauz Khas, Harshit Misra has shown up to an interview in formal wear. You could joke it’s not that kind of interview, but Misra aka Hashbass had forewarned us he was coming in straight from soundcheck at a wedding gig. “Bollyjazz is very close to my heart,” he says, casually combing through his distinctive blue hair.

The ensemble that give Bollywood hits the jazz treatment tapped Misra for the gig in 2016. In the last two years, many more established independent and commercial names lined up to give Misra a call. The bassist, composer and synth artist is an example of how being a session player is not only viable, but also leaves room for individual pursuits.

Besides Bollyjazz, Misra supplies the low-end for artists like experimental pop artist Sid Sriram, singer-songwriters Prateek Kuhad, Kamakshi Khanna and Saby. He recently stepped in to be a part of rapper Prabh Deep‘s live band The One Eight Project (turns out they were neighbors in West Delhi) and he’s become a permanent member of artists as varying as multi-city electronica act DCF_Shapes,