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Rohan Desai

From Engineering Undergraduate / Self-taught Musician to Independent Musician & Producer

Last updated: Feb 17, 2025

Independent Musician & Producer in Music · Kochi, India

Engineer who quit a stable job to make music. Twelve years later, three albums and a small studio. My career transition story is for anyone whose talent has been waiting for the courage to take itself seriously.

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Career Timeline

Education2010-2014
Engineering Undergraduate / Self-taught Musician
Amity University
Studied engineering. Joined the college music club; we played four gigs and made one bootleg album.
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ContextStudied engineering. Joined the college music club; we played four gigs and made one bootleg album.
ChallengesChoosing between practice room and tutorial. The music kept winning even when the marks said otherwise.
LearningsTalent is the start, not the credential. Engineering taught me discipline; music gave me the reason to use it.
Skills acquired
Guitarvocalsmusic theoryGarageBandcollege band performancessongwriting
First Job2014-2017
Software Engineer (day job)
Tech firm
Three years in software with music as a side life. Played weekend gigs, recorded two EPs at 11pm after work.
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ContextThree years in software with music as a side life. Played weekend gigs, recorded two EPs at 11pm after work.
ChallengesLiving two lives. The day job paid for the studio; the studio kept me alive.
LearningsPatience is a creative skill. The years of holding two careers in tension were not lost time; they were when I figured out which one was the real one.
Skills acquired
Codingproject managementbut mostly — saving money to build a home studio
Career Switch2017-2019
Aspiring Full-time Musician
Self
Quit the day job with 14 months of savings. Released a debut album. First year income: 38% of previous salary.
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ContextQuit the day job with 14 months of savings. Released a debut album. First year income: 38% of previous salary.
ChallengesReality of artist income. Most months I broke even; some I dipped into savings.
LearningsLive performance is the most reliable artist income stream. Streaming is almost decorative for non-superstars.
Skills acquired
Music productionmixingmasteringsocial media for artistsgig booking
Achievement2019-Present
Independent Artist & Producer
Independent
Three studio albums. Built a small home studio that now produces for other independent artists. Music featured in two indie films.
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ContextThree studio albums. Built a small home studio that now produces for other independent artists. Music featured in two indie films.
ChallengesTime. Family. Saying no to gigs that pay well but rob the album cycle.
LearningsAn independent artist career is a series of small businesses dressed up as a vocation.
OutcomeSustainable income from a mix of performance, production work, and licensing. No record label.
Skills acquired
Album productionfestival circuitartist managementcollaborative songwritingmusic for film
AdviceIf you want a music career — save two years of expenses first. Creative freedom is a financial decision before it is an artistic one.

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Rohan Desai

Career Timeline

Engineering Undergraduate / Self-taught Musician

Software Engineer (day job)

Aspiring Full-time Musician

Independent Artist & Producer

Reflections & Questions from Readers