Bengaluru Musician Behram Siganporia on Tour Life, Burnout, and Brotherhood
For pilot-turned-musician Behram Siganporia, Bengaluru remains his true home, even though he spends most of his time away from the city. With a grueling schedule of sixteen shows in a single month, frequent flights, and constant time-zone changes, the Bengaluru-based artist now leads one of India's most active live music acts. Despite his global bookings, he remains deeply connected to the city that shaped his career, openly discussing challenges like burnout, brotherhood, broken guitars, and cancelled flights, all while maintaining an unwavering belief that the show must always go on.
'Bengaluru Is Where Everything Began for Us as a Band'
"Bengaluru is our base. It's where we were first noticed — playing the club and pub circuit, building a fan base, releasing music here. And then the city kind of sprouted us out into the world," Behram explains. From their initial outstation performance at Hard Rock Café in Hyderabad to now having played in 101 cities worldwide, the band's growth feels surreal. "Now people tell us they saw us in Montenegro, or want us to play at a birthday in Dubai. We would have never imagined this when we first started," he adds.
The Inevitable Exhaustion of Constant Touring
With 20–25 shows in some months, exhaustion is a constant companion. "There are very few artistes who burn themselves out the way we do. We're literally living at the airport — but we love it," Behram admits. Despite back-to-back flights and relentless time-zone jumps, the audience never sees any fatigue. "You can't walk on stage showing that you're tired. Even if you have one per cent energy, you have to make it look like a hundred," he emphasizes.
This demanding lifestyle comes at a significant personal cost. "I start the year single and I end it single. Consistency is key, I guess. It's tough to make time for one person when you're never around. We may live two kilometres apart, but it feels like a long-distance relationship. My bandmates joke that it's an occupational hazard — one I have learned to accept," Behram reveals.
'My Bandmates Are Truly Like My Family'
Spending more time touring than at home has forged an unbreakable bond within the band. "They're not my second family — they're my first," Behram states. As the lead singer, he acknowledges the deliberate balance within the group. "They push me forward. They're comfortable taking a backseat with the media, but when it comes to the music, the jam room, the shows — we're one unit," he says.
Navigating Scrutiny and Social Media
As their audience has expanded, particularly attracting a large female fan base, increased scrutiny has followed. "Someone will say, 'You wore this suit before. Why are you repeating it?'" he shrugs. For Behram, social media serves both useful and superficial purposes. "The less you look at it, the better your mindset. Put your work out there, let fans relive the moment — that's the best use of it," he advises.
The Band Name Changed — The Bond Didn't
Originally named One Night Stand, the band rebranded to Best Kept Secret after a copyright dispute. A naming contest solidified their new identity, which has endured despite their growing fame. "At the end of the day, names change. What keeps a band together is trust," Behram asserts.
'The Show Has to Go On'
Transporting expensive instruments across continents adds another layer of stress to their travels. "We're very selective about airlines because of how instruments are handled," Behram explains. With backup equipment stationed in various countries, their primary goal is clear: never cancel a show. "Our instruments are bought with hard-earned money. It's heartbreaking when something happens to them. But the show has to go on," he insists.
Recalling a wave of flight cancellations that disrupted their tour, Behram admits they were fortunate. "We could afford to fly 14 people at the last minute so we didn't let clients down. That's not something upcoming artists can always do — and that's where it gets really tough," he tells us.
Behram reflects on the modern concert experience, noting, "Some people attend concerts only to share online, and that's okay; you may know a few songs, but you almost always leave as a fan."
