In the fast-paced, Delhi world that Peter Cat Recording Co. was born out of, change is inevitable. The band has never been afraid to experiment, constantly growing their sound while embracing whatever comes their way. When it comes to BETA, their third album and latest release after a five-year long hiatus, it’s clear just how far the Delhi-based group has come since the band first started to group together in 2009.
Now six years into their current lineup, Peter Cat continues to challenge the expectations of what music can be. Suryakant Sawhney, the band’s frontman, reflects on the formation of Peter Cat, recalling the early days in Delhi when he first met bandmate, Karun Singh, who happened to be at a mutual friend’s wedding. “We connected and it kinda just kept going and going and going after that point.” they tell me. In fact, by the time Peter Cat became a full-fledged-five-piece, the band made their first performance at a friend’s engagement, caught on camera by the filmic genius of ex-film student Suryakant.
On BETA, Peter Cat Recording Co.'s songwriting reaches a new level of personal depth, reflecting frontman Suryakant Sawhney's intimate experiences with loss and resilience, following the passing of his father at 13, noted in the song, Suddenly. When asked about the process of working through a personal song like Suddenly, Suryakant expressed, “You start a song and then maybe a year or two later, or on a particular day, you all the sudden figure out what that song is about, which in turn helps you finish the lyrics.”
But BETA isn’t solely a reflection of Suryakant’s experiences; all five members–Dhruv Bhola, Karan Singh, Rohit Gupta, Kartik Sundareshan, and Suryakant Sawhney– had plenty to contribute to the album, including a song led by Kartik (Foolmuse) and another by Dhruv (I Deny Me.) During our conversation, they all noted their active involvement in side projects outside of Peter Cat, Dhruv especially (Bowls, Run, It’s The Kid, Begum), creating a sort of rotating ecosystem within the group, adding layers to their collective identity. “The thing is, none of us come from the same background,” Sawhney explains. “Everyone’s got a different story, and that’s what makes Peter Cat what it is.”
The album’s emotional narratives are enriched by the band’s exploration of the expansive sounds of Indian culture, blending traditional influences like Sufi and folk with modern electronic and even jazz elements. Most notably on BETA is the use of more woodwinds and the shruti box– a traditional Indian instrument with a similar sound to the bellows of an accordion or pipe organ. Despite the additions, the group felt like not much had changed in their sound. Instead, Suryakant exclaimed, “It kind of feels like a natural progression. Honestly, it doesn't sound like a very radically different album to me personally. Maybe more Punjabi– Indi-fied if anything.” Change or not, this fusion has effectively allowed Peter Cat to craft music that is both personal and globally resonant, creating what is truly some of the most matured, boundaryless sound currently in the music scene.
As their music found its way to international ears, particularly in the U.S. during the pandemic, the band’s unique blend of longing, indie rock, and folk struck a chord with audiences. But they don’t consider it an explosion of fame—more of a slow rise that resonated deeply with listeners seeking comfort in a time of uncertainty. “I think a lot of people were trying to hear something more down to earth, folk-y, something more that they could really identify with.” Suryakant explained. “We never tried to ‘make it big’, but people seemed to connect with our music because of what was going on. ‘Explode’ is a strong word, but there was definitely more visibility.”
Even with the emotional weight of the BETA and their work as a whole, Peter Cat maintains a sense of lightheartedness. When asked what they hope listeners take away from BETA, the band laughed and said they really just want people to buy the album, joking about the necessity of needing financial support for their current, lengthy US tour.
But beneath the humor is a personal message. PCRC has always been about connection—about finding meaning in music and life, even in the messiness and loss of it all. BETA is a testament to those journeys– a reminder that growth is a constant process for everyone, and the beauty of living lies in its ability to change, much like the band itself.