5½ years. Nearly 1,000 up-close artist interviews. And one unstoppable mission — to give indie artists a voice, no matter where they are in the world.
That’s what Lazie Indie Magazine has been doing — quietly, consistently, and courageously — since its very first issue in May 2020.
What began as a simple lockdown experiment by Jay Pillai, an indie musician from India, soon turned into something much larger than anyone imagined — a global movement that’s now read in 120+ countries, has featured artists from over 50 nations, and published 80+ editions (66 monthly + 15 special).
At a time when big media often overlooks the little guy, Lazie Indie decided to do the opposite. It listened. It celebrated. It gave every artist — from the unknown bedroom producer to the globe-trotting guitarist — an equal place to tell their story.
“Lazie Indie was never just about interviews. It’s about the spirit of independent music — about believing that a song written in a small room can travel the world.” — Jay Pillai, Founder & Editor, Lazie Indie Magazine
🎶 From a Magazine to a Movement
What makes Lazie Indie different isn’t just its global reach — it’s its heartbeat.
It’s a magazine run by musicians, for musicians.
Each edition feels like a jam session of stories — an artist from Texas trading notes with one from Tokyo, a blues player discovering a folk singer in Yerevan, a composer in Cuba inspiring a pop artist in Paris.
Artists from Finland, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Armenia, Egypt, Georgia, Zambia, and even Siberia share the same space with artists from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India — true to the Lazie Indie culture where there are no barriers for music.
And perhaps the most beautiful evolution is this — the artists who were once featured became contributors themselves, sharing their experiences, perspectives, and discoveries.
They began to share the music and interviews of their peers, promoting fellow artists with the same enthusiasm as their own releases — proving that the indie spirit isn’t about competition, but connection. It defied the age-old myth that “indie artists don’t support each other.”
Because Lazie Indie Magazine is not a journalistic ritual — it’s a peer-driven movement.
A circle of creators telling each other’s stories with empathy, energy, and respect.
As the magazine grew, so did its family of contributors — talented voices from across the world who brought their perspectives and passion to its pages.
Inge Zimmermann Probst from Germany first joined as proof reader, Lyia Meta from Malaysia, Tomiko Dixon (Blues Hall of Fame), Grant & Barbara from Galaxy FM New Zealand, Emma Goldberg from France, Kathryn Shipley from Nashville, Dr. Benita from the USA, Ann Aria from Canada, Jörg Klein from Germany, Sherise from Mumbai, and Emmy-winning guitarist Brian Tarquin — and many more…all joined the journey as columnists , each adding a unique color to Lazie Indie’s canvas. Adithya also came on board as promotions person, amplifying Lazie Indie’s global reach and artist connections.
And through it all, Jay continued to have by his side Manoj, his childhood friend and bandmate — a silent constant through every musical adventure since school days.
And here’s the part that truly sets Lazie Indie apart:
in five and a half years, the magazine has never missed an edition, not even the release date — nor the cover reveal, which has arrived like clockwork every month.
That kind of consistency isn’t just rare in the indie world — it’s almost legendary.
🎸 The Stage Gets Bigger
The energy didn’t stay on the page. Soon, Lazie Indie stepped into the real world — creating spaces where indie artists could meet, perform, and celebrate each other’s music.
That’s how the International Indie Music Festival (IIMF) was born — a collaboration between Lazie Indie Magazine and the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, a visionary initiative of the Government of Kerala’s Department of Tourism.
The festival quickly became one of the most anticipated events in the indie music calendar.
It has brought together artists from 20+ countries, including remote and diverse regions like Uganda, Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, and Georgia, alongside popular musicians from the USA, UK, and other global hubs.
Several international artists performed in India for the very first time at IIMF, sharing the stage with some of India’s most celebrated indie bands. That rare mix of emerging and established global acts has made IIMF a true melting pot of indie music culture — and one of the most looked-forward-to events by the global music fraternity since its inception in 2022. It’s not just a festival — it’s a movement that embodies Lazie Indie’s belief that music has no passport.
And then came the biggest applause yet:
🏆 Lazie Indie Magazine won “Media Company of the Year (Magazines/Blogs/Reviews)” at the 2024 Josie Music Awards in Nashville — one of the most prestigious honors in independent music. Thrice nominated for the same sealing the belief of music community on Lazie Indie story. 0That win wasn’t just about recognition. It was validation — proof that independent voices could not only be heard but celebrated at the highest level.
💫 The Road Ahead
Now, as it tunes into its next big chapter, Lazie Indie Magazine is expanding its sound:
- To bringing out new language editions like French and Spanish
- To expand its voice beyond the Magazine, IIMF and the Contest – something soon to be unveiled !!! Wait for the announcement!!!
- Expanding the reach of the community through partnering with multiple festivals globally.
With a loyal global community Lazie Indie continues to do what it does best — blend passion, purpose, and people.
❤️ Why It Matters
Because this isn’t just another media story.
It’s a reminder that in a world obsessed with algorithms and fame, heart still wins.
Lazie Indie Magazine has shown that music media doesn’t need to chase trends — it just needs to stay true to the artist.
From a small lockdown dream to a global family of creators, it has built something timeless:
a space where stories sing, and every voice — no matter how small — can echo across the world.
“We started with one story during a lockdown, Today, we’re telling the world’s stories — one song at a time.”
“5½ Years. 1,000 Stories. One Global Indie Family.”
Lazie Indie has grown From magazines to stages, Lazie Indie connects artists from every corner of the world — proving that music has no borders and passion has no passport.
Check Lazie Indie Magazine at https://www.lazieindiemagazine.com/
