Winning hearts with his latest EP, Haan, Ohkay, Dorwin John, an independent artist, speaks to The Pioneer as he discusses his music and also gives more insights on the EP
Tejal Sinha
The expression “Haan Ohkay,” or “yes okay,” as we say in SMS jargon, is one that many of us use to concur with what the other person has said. Are we talking about this, though? We are discussing the most recent EP by independent musician Dorwin John, titled Haan, Ohkay. This three-track EP, which displays Dorwin’s amazing talent and captivating lyrics, is a significant step forward in his evolving musical career.
The EP includes a compelling collection of tracks, including Naksha, Moze and the title track, Haan, Ohkay. Each track promises a distinct audio experience, bursting with Dorwin’s trademark blend of current Indian music and poignant narration.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s bring to you some exclusive insights from the talented artist. “Haan, Ohkay came straight from the real stuff in my life,” begins the Parinaam singer on a quick exclusive chat with The Pioneer as we discuss Haan Ohkay. Basically, there was a time when he realised that true love meant accepting people, flaws and everything else, making it the core message of the EP. Dorwin, who is only 24 years old, has already established himself in the Indian independent music scene. His intriguing melodies and unusual voice have earned him a devoted following, eager to witness his creative progression. Dorwin made a breakthrough in 2023 when he released his debut singles, Aasha, Jaga De, Gaya Gaya and Parinaam. These fascinating compositions have received over 1 million streams on Spotify alone, demonstrating his capacity to connect with listeners on a large scale.
Haan, Ohkay, is made much more appealing by the beautiful artwork created by the great Rishik Raj. Going ahead as we discuss the tracks Naksha, Moze and the title track also named Haan, Ohkay, the Aasha singer shares, “Each track in the EP definitely has its own flavour. For all three, the songwriting and composing flowed from an idea of love and acceptance. Naksha is about being lost and searching for the right connection. Maybe even try to forget a bad one. Moze is all about finding your peace, chilling in your own space and just existing. The title track, Haan, Ohkay, is about embracing the good times and the bad times, no matter how rough it gets. It’s about loving your people fiercely, flaws and all.”
Visually, these tracks are strong. He pictured them in his head as he wrote them. All three came together in his living room; he wrote ‘em down and recorded ‘em fresh out of the oven. “For Naksha, I got stuck on the bridge for months, like a creative traffic jam. I finally broke through in Goa and finished the whole EP right after that trip. Moze was the first track I wrote for the EP. For all three, the writing process was like a burst of inspiration. I came up with the music first, then built the lyrics and vocals on top. Honestly, I wasn’t sure about using “moze” at first, which means socks, but then I realised it’s a unique metaphor for love, you know? The sound for Moze definitely draws on Blink-182’s guitar vibes, but the drums are full-on drum and bass. I wasn’t necessarily planning a drum and bass track, but it just fit, so I rolled with it.”
Meanwhile, talking of the title track, it starts with that classic iMessage typing sound; you got to hear it! The whole track is this driving, four-on-the-floor groove. At first, the demo was called Manzoor, but he changed it because Haan, Ohkay is like the ultimate text-speak for acceptance in our generation. “It’’s catchy, simple and sticks in your head—perfect for a track name and the whole EP title. This one came together fast—I wrote it in two days, then spent a week polishing the production,” enunciates the Gaya Gaya singer. “With Haan, Ohkay, I had a bigger vision and that somehow made working on all three tracks at once way smoother. It was like everything clicked. While I was finalising the production on Moze, I was already diving into the lyrics for Naksha. And by the time Naksha was shaped up, Haan, Ohkay was bubbling up in my head. It was this wild, mixed-up process, but it flowed great and totally opened my eyes to how I can create. This EP was my first big artistic statement.”
His musical influence stretches beyond the boundaries of indie music. His extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack for Netflix India’s official promotional film for the fifth and final season of the global blockbuster Money Heist, demonstrating his flexibility as a vocalist.
With his music constantly evolving, Haan, Ohkay, he says, was a big learning experience and he is already itching to explore new sounds. “I’m a huge admirer of artists who can blend genres seamlessly, so I might head down that path. Maybe some soulful electronic vibes, or even incorporate some traditional Indian instruments—who knows?”
New music, he says, is definitely on the horizon! Dorwin John’s distinct blend of musicality and storytelling promises to captivate audiences all around the world as he continues to hone his craft and explore new creative frontiers. The EP is a compelling introduction to this budding musician, providing a glimpse into the aural cosmos he is about to build.
