When Chai Met Toast

Updated: June 17, 2026

Origin: Kochi, Kerala, India
Gender: Male
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Indie Folk Band
Genres: Indie Folk, Indie Pop, Alternative Rock

Biography & Career:
When Chai Met Toast is a multilingual indie folk act from Kochi, Kerala, widely loved for its warm, feel-good sound. The story of the band began in 2014, when vocalist Ashwin Gopakumar and guitarist Achyuth Jaigopal met at a music café in Fort Kochi and discovered a shared love of folk and country music. The name reflects their blend of Indian and Western influences, with chai standing for one side and toast for the other. The full lineup came together in 2016, and today the members are Ashwin Gopakumar on vocals, Achyuth Jaigopal on guitar and banjo, Palee Francis on keyboards, and Pai Sailesh on drums.

When it comes to the members age, exact numbers are not publicly confirmed, but the four musicians started out as young friends from Kerala and have now spent a decade making music together. The genre is rooted in indie folk and indie pop with touches of alternative rock, and the songs move freely between English, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. This lighthearted, multilingual storytelling has made the quartet one of India's leading independent acts, with appearances at major festivals including Lollapalooza India.

The discography has grown steadily, and the list of albums now includes the debut full-length When We Feel Young and the latest record Small Town, Big Love, Little Homes, alongside earlier EPs that first brought the group national attention. Marking ten years together, the current tour is their most expansive yet, travelling through India, Europe, Australia, and North America.

A live concert by the band is known for joyful singalongs, rich harmonies, and genuine connection with the crowd, which is why their shows regularly sell out across continents. Fans tracking upcoming events can expect When Chai Met Toast dates throughout 2026 as the world tour continues, proof that this band from the land of coconuts keeps winning hearts far beyond home.

When Chai Met Toast Albums:
When We Feel Young
Small Town, Big Love, Little Homes
Joy of Little Things (EP)
Believe (EP)
LYTS (EP)
Nature Tapes, Vol. 1 (EP)

When Chai Met Toast Best Songs:
Khoj (Passing By)
Joy of Little Things
Firefly
Believe
Maybe I Can Fly
Yellow Paper Daisy
When We Feel Young
Nee Aara
Dreamland
Baaton