Born and raised in Guwahati, guitarist and producer Bhargav Choudhury has steadily carved a place for himself on the global music stage. After moving to Los Angeles in 2016 to study at the prestigious Musicians Institute, he went on to establish himself as a sought-after name in LA’s live music circuit, performing at iconic venues such as the Teragram Ballroom, Whisky a Go Go and The Viper Room. He also holds a residency at the Hollywood Roosevelt and performed during the halftime show of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Bhargav’s relationship with music began at the age of 14 and has since evolved from a passion into a profession, while retaining the same deep emotional connection. Influenced by musical legends such as Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, Zubeen Garg and Angaraag Mahanta, he continues to blend his Assamese roots with a global musical outlook. In conversation with Rashmi Sarmah, Bhargav reflects on his musical journey, his connection to home, and his aspirations for the future.
Edited Excerpts:
Rashmi Sarmah: Tell us about the beginning of your musical journey. Was it in Guwahati?
Bhargav Choudhury: I started playing guitar when I was around 14, while I was still in school. Guwahati had a very active music culture, especially among my friends, and my school also hosted many musical events, which gave me an early opportunity to perform and be around music. That environment played a big role in shaping my interest.
My brother introduced me to bands like Linkin Park, Green Day, Maroon 5, and other modern rock artists. Around 2004, I also discovered many rock bands through compilation albums and music channels, which opened up a whole new world for me. Later, I got into classic rock and metal bands like Deep Purple and Iron Maiden, and guitarists such as Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai became huge inspirations.
At the same time, growing up in Assam also influenced me deeply. I was surrounded by Assamese music, Bihu festivals, and artists like Zubeen Garg, Bhupen Hazarika, and Angaraag Mahanta (Papon). Those sounds shaped my melodic sense and gave me a connection to music that was both cultural and personal.
So yes, the beginning was definitely in Guwahati. That is where the curiosity started and where I first picked up the guitar.
What kind of music does your soul connect with, and does it match what you create for your listeners?
Over the years, my musical influences have changed a lot. The more music I listen to, the more my mind opens up. Moving to Los Angeles and meeting musicians from all over the world has also expanded my taste and helped me grow as an artist.
Right now, I am mostly into rock, funk, R&B, jazz, and blues. I grew up listening to rock, classic rock, modern rock, metal, funk, and Assamese music, so my musical foundation is very broad.
I love music with strong melodies, powerful guitar parts, real human energy, and emotion behind it. Whether it is a heavy rock song, a soulful groove, or a simple melody, I connect most with music that feels genuine.
That definitely matches what I try to create for my listeners. I want my music to have energy, but also emotion. I like songs that people can connect with emotionally while also enjoying them live.
With my band, The Conscious Outlaws, we bring together rock, funk, groove, and raw live-band energy. As a guitarist and producer, I also try to bring my own identity into everything I play or create. So yes, what my soul connects with and what I create are very closely aligned. I make the kind of music that feels natural to me first, and I believe listeners connect with that honesty.
How has the Musicians Institute groomed you? Has the network you built while studying there helped you make a mark in Los Angeles as a musician?
When I moved to Los Angeles in 2016, MI gave me the environment I needed to grow. It helped me become more disciplined, more prepared, and more aware of what it really takes to work in the music industry.
I was surrounded by great teachers, serious musicians, and people who were all pursuing music at a high level. That pushed me to improve every day.
MI also helped me understand music beyond just playing guitar. I learned more about performance, technique, production, arranging, and how to work with different artists. It gave me the confidence to step into different musical situations, whether it was a live show, a studio session, or writing music with other musicians.
The network I built there has definitely helped me establish myself in LA. Many of my closest musical relationships began through MI. I met musicians from different countries, backgrounds, and styles, and those connections opened many doors for me.
Over the years, that community has helped me grow, collaborate, perform, and build a life as a musician in Los Angeles. So yes, MI groomed me not only through education but also through the people I met there. The network, discipline, and exposure all played a huge role in helping me establish myself in LA.
Since you were born and brought up in Assam, how do you plan to contribute to its music?
I would love to collaborate more with artists from Assam and help bring their music to a wider audience. I also want to blend some of those cultural influences with rock, funk, R&B, fusion, and blues in a way that feels natural and modern.
For me, it is not about forcing the sound, but about letting my roots show through honestly.
In the future, I also hope to create opportunities for musicians from Assam to connect with artists, producers, and platforms outside India. If I can use my experience and network in Los Angeles to help build that bridge, it would mean a lot to me.
So my contribution may not be limited to one Assamese song or one project. It is more about representing where I come from, collaborating with artists back home, and creating something unique that the world has never heard before.
The Northeast has hundreds of youngsters passionate about music, especially those who connect strongly with the guitar. What is your message for them?
My message to the youngsters of the Northeast is simple: never stop yourself from dreaming bigger.
If music truly connects with you, pursue it with honesty and discipline. Guitar—or any instrument—is not just about technique; it is also a way to express your identity.
The more you listen, practice, collaborate, and stay open to different kinds of music, the more you will discover your own originality.
Coming from the Northeast is not a limitation. It is actually a strength because we have such a rich culture, deep emotions, beautiful melodies, and a vibrant musical spirit. Use that as part of your sound.
Learn from your heroes, but eventually find what makes you different. The journey is not always easy, but if music is what truly speaks to you, stay consistent, stay humble, and keep working.
Dream big, but also work hard enough to make that dream a reality.
Amid the changing dynamics between the United States and India, how comfortable do you feel as an Indian-origin musician in LA today compared to a few years ago?
As an Indian-origin musician living in Los Angeles, I have always felt comfortable here since moving to the United States. I came with a clear purpose: to pursue music to the best of my abilities and grow as an artist.
I never really experienced a major culture shock because music has always been my common language. I truly believe music is a universal language. It unites people beyond borders, backgrounds, and differences.
Of course, relationships between countries can change, but as an artist, I focus on human connection. In LA, I have had the opportunity to work with musicians, artists, and producers from all over the world, which has made me feel even more connected and confident.
Today, I feel proud to represent where I come from. Being from India, and especially from Assam, gives me a unique identity in the LA music scene. I do not see it as something that separates me from others. Rather, I see it as something that adds to my story, my sound, and my perspective as a musician.
Tell us about the projects you are looking forward to in the near future.
In the near future, I am looking forward to growing further as a musician, artist, and producer.
One of the things I am most excited about is continuing to write and release music with my band, The Conscious Outlaws. We are working on our second full-length album, and the sound is moving in a stronger rock direction while still maintaining our groove, funk, and live-band energy.
I am also very excited about my band with Billy McNicol, a power trio in which I play lead guitar. We are scheduled to perform at Louder Than Life, one of the biggest rock music festivals in North America. That is a huge milestone for us, and I am really looking forward to performing on that stage.
We also have an upcoming tour planned for the fall, so there is a lot happening on the live-performance front.
Another important project for me is expanding Stereo Sanctuary, the artist and production team I co-founded with Brandt Sire. Through that venture, I want to continue producing, writing, arranging, and collaborating with artists from around the world.
Overall, my focus is on building a strong body of work as a guitarist, producer, and performer while staying true to my musical identity.
Do you think a musician’s contribution to humanity is deeper and more essential to life than other forms of performing arts?
I would not say music is more important than other forms of performing arts because every art form has its own profound value. Dance, theatre, cinema, and other forms of performance all have the power to move people and tell stories in unique ways.
However, I do feel that music occupies a very special and essential place in human life.
Music can reach people instantly, even without language. A melody, rhythm, or voice can connect with someone emotionally before they even understand the meaning behind it. That is what makes music so powerful.
For me, a musician’s contribution to humanity lies in creating connection, emotion, healing, energy, and memory. Music is present in almost every aspect of life—celebration, sadness, love, struggle, and spirituality. It gives people a way to feel understood.
So I would not rank it above or below other performing arts, but I do believe music is one of the most universal forms of human expression. It is essential because it brings people together and reminds us of what we feel, who we are, and what connects us.