In a world that moves at breakneck speed—overflowing with deadlines, notifications, and an endless hum of urgency—there are rare artists who choose to pause, reflect, and create something that brings us back to our roots. Varun Das, a New York–based drummer and composer, is one of those artists. But Das isn’t just a drummer—he’s a sonic storyteller, a rhythmic poet whose music transforms the noise of the modern world into something deeply human.
An official artist for Yamaha, Remo, and Sabian, Das has carved out a unique musical identity by blending the intricate rhythms of Indian classical music, the soul-stirring depths of jazz and Black American Music, and the raw power of progressive rock. His sound defies categorization—technical yet emotional, complex yet accessible. It has earned him recognition across the global jazz and fusion scene, as well as a growing following in the Indian music world, both mainstream and underground.
After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor’s in 2022 and a Master’s in 2024, both in Jazz Performance, Das quickly became one of the most sought-after South Asian drummers in the U.S. He’s performed or recorded with legends like Joey DeFrancesco, Dayna Stephens, Miguel Zenón, Charles Altura, Matt Brewer, and more. Whether on stage with New York’s Red Baraat, in studio with Hazmat Modine, or on tour with Bollywood icon Kavita Krishnamurthy, Varun’s musicality speaks fluently across cultures and genres.
But Childlike, his latest project, is perhaps his most personal—and profound—work yet.
“Childlike was born from a longing to return to a time when life felt full of wonder, before we were consumed by the demands of adulthood,” Das says. “It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about healing. It’s about rediscovering the freedom to feel everything deeply.”
Where Rhythm Meets Memory
For Das, music was never just entertainment—it was a lifeline. Childhood car rides filled with 70s and 90s rock, late-night jazz discoveries, and the thrill of improvisation all became part of his musical DNA. These influences run deep in Childlike, which fuses the structural elegance of jazz with the untamed spirit of rock to reflect the duality of life: joy and sorrow, structure and spontaneity, memory and imagination.
Bringing this vision to life meant assembling a group of equally inspired artists. Saxophonist Nick Marziani, guitarist Mike Hilgendorf, and bassist Almog Sharvit infused the project with their own unique voices and chemistry. Add in the brilliance of guest musicians like Dayna Stephens and Charles Altura, and Childlike becomes a living, breathing conversation between artists who trust one another—and who trust the music.
Of course, no great album comes without its moments of beautiful chaos. With only a day and a half to record the entire project, the studio quickly turned into a caffeine-fueled madhouse. Energy drinks were consumed like water. Notes flew. Laughter echoed. And perhaps most memorably, their recording engineer, Chris Benham, when offered dinner, solemnly replied: “I’ll eat when I’m dead.”
It became an inside joke that perfectly captured the mood of the sessions—relentless focus, ridiculous humor, and a deep, shared passion that made the process unforgettable.
Music as a Sanctuary
Childlike is more than an album—it’s a refuge. In a time when life can feel relentless, this music offers space to breathe. Each track is a window into a world where curiosity is still alive, where joy hasn’t been buried by responsibility, and where playfulness isn’t a weakness—but a strength.
“I didn’t want to chase trends or create something designed for the algorithm,” Das explains. “I wanted to make something honest. Something that invites people to remember who they were before the world told them who to be.”
From its humble beginnings as clunky MIDI demos to its final, electric form, Childlike evolved into a bold artistic statement—one that stands apart not through spectacle, but through sincerity. It reminds us that music is, at its core, a deeply emotional act. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence.
An Invitation to Feel Again
In Childlike, Varun Das offers more than rhythm or melody. He offers a return—a reconnection to the fearless, joyful, wide-eyed version of ourselves that still lives somewhere deep inside. It’s an album that asks us to slow down, to listen with our hearts, and to remember what it means to feel.
Because no matter how much we grow up, that childlike spark never truly disappears. It just waits—quietly, patiently—for the right rhythm to bring it back to life.
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