Sahana Naresh On the Making Of “Bhoopali Beginnings”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Bhoopali Beginnings?"
This track is inspired by the Indian classical Raag and pentatonic scale Bhoopali. The song is infused with indie-pop elements and surf vibe guitars. “Bhoopali Beginnings” is about new and authentic beginnings... “Bhoopali Beginnings” to me represent the spirit and quest for freedom and the joy of finding it in the surprising junctures of your life. I grew up around a lot of different genres of music from Carnatic to Hindustani and listening to artists I love like Norah Jones, The Beatles, A.R.Rahman, The Strokes and Regina Spektor. Up until recently, I have tried to stick to "lanes" based on genres in music and recently I have started to appreciate the full spectrum of musical influences in my life. Bhoopali Beginnings marks that new beginning for me.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "Bhoopali Beginnings?"
During certain parts of the track, we felt like we had too much instrumentation so we took a step back and looked at how to make the listening experience “easy listening” and went with the “less is more” approach. I would not say that we had too many challenges though, once we started playing around with the melody the song began to emerge!
What did you enjoy most about making "Bhoopali Beginnings?"
To me, the idea of bringing two seemingly different genres together has always been daunting but appealing. I feel that while it can be challenging, that is what also makes a song like “Bhoopali Beginnings” unique and appealing to me as a singer and songwriter.
What has been one of the most significant moments of your musical journey so far?
One of the coolest moments in my musical journey so far has been writing indie-fusion-pop music. I have always wanted to dabble in this space but have been putting it off because I have been afraid of how the music was going to turn out and how it would be received. To my surprise the tracks I am the most proud of are “Vaari Vaari” and “Bhoopali Beginnings” where I have dared to step away from my comfort zone (singer-songwriter) and experiment to create a unique sound. I am excited to explore this sound further!
Who are your musical influences, and how have they impacted your songwriting style?
I grew up listening to an eclectic array of music genres thanks to my parents – Indian classical music intertwined with 70's rock and roll influences like The Beatles. my cousin Keshav, a talented artist and producer, introduced me to artists such as The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys and Phoenix, adding more layers to my musical canon. i fell in love with these artists for their energetic sound and versatile vocals - ranging from crazy falsettos to effortless laid-back singing. As I started discovering artists on my own, I fell in love with musicians such as Feist for her whimsical, free spirited music, Norah Jones for her elegance and soulfulness, and Jack Johnson for his meaningful music, percussive style and his ability to foster a sense of togetherness while giving back to the community. Indian artists such as A.R.Rahman and Clinton Cerejo inspired me with their maverick approach to composition and my music guru Vidushi Aditi Updahya has inspired me to be a keen observer and take my vocal craft very seriously.