From a childhood immersed in the arts to becoming a voice of cultural transcendence, Rashmi’s journey in music is as rich and diverse as her sound. Growing up surrounded by music, film, and poetry, Rashmi developed a deep appreciation for the arts, which shaped her passion and fueled her career. Her experiences in school choirs, theatre groups, and bands laid the foundation for a musical path that embraces genres as varied as Western classical, pop, jazz, and rock.
In this exclusive interview, Rashmi delves into her unique style, which defies genre boundaries and reflects her diverse influences. Her album MAGIC is a testament to this approach, blending melodic lines, diasporic stories, and elements of jazz, country, and rock into a cohesive yet dynamic listening experience. Rashmi’s ability to let her music emerge organically ensures that each song carries a piece of her vibrant identity.
Rashmi also opens up about the challenges of being an indie artist, including finding musicians versatile enough to match her eclectic sound. Despite these hurdles, she has built a supportive network of collaborators and crafted versatile setlists for performances across varied venues. Her adaptability and determination shine through in every aspect of her career.
At the heart of Rashmi’s music is a commitment to connection and transformation. Whether addressing social movements through her lyrics or creating moments of profound unity in live performances, Rashmi’s songs aim to uplift and inspire. Looking ahead, she envisions a future where her music touches audiences globally, fostering a sense of belonging and shared humanity.
Join Rashmi and her band for an unforgettable night of music on December 20 at DROM in the heart of New York City’s East Village! Known for its vibrant music scene.
Can you tell us about your journey as an indie musician? What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
My parents were very much into music, film, poetry, and hosted and attended gatherings where friends would play music, recite poetry, or watch films together. So I grew up with the arts being a necessary and vital part of my life.
I was in my middle school choir and theatre groups, high school glee club, and annual musicals. I was in a band outside of school and we played all over Dallas and Austin and just had a great time. In school I sang Western classical, choral music, standards, musical theatre, country, pop, jazz and rock. It was so much a part of my life so I just kept doing it!
How would you describe your unique style and sound as an artist? What sets you apart from other musicians?
My sound is a mix of all the influences I spoke of above. I don’t force anything to sound any way. All these different styles have lived inside me for a long time and when I write they have their own organic way of blending together and coming through. It isn’t any one genre. MAGIC is a very diverse album. On first listen, you’ll hear it as pop.
But if you listen closely, you can hear the melodic lines live between different scale traditions, the lyrics play with meter, and the stories that are global/diasporic and local/specific. Listeners often share how they hear different things – some country, some jazz, some rock-n-roll. I think allowing the music that emerges to be whatever it is when I write and not fit any one category is what makes my songs unique.
My songs and stories reflect this diversity of experience and the transcendence of boundaries whether geographical or genre or medium. When you listen to the songs, you’ll hear a trippy Indian vocal inflection on an otherwise pop song (Into the Groove cover), heartfelt lyrics about immigrant distance and longing (Aerogram) to a rhythmic bass line, or horns punctuating the indomitable spirit of joy (Magic).
Could you share some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie musician and how you overcame them?
Not fitting any specific genre. Meeting musicians who can play with me across different styles. Some people only play certain styles. I am lucky to work with musicians who I can say ‘this is gonna have a Bassa Nova feel, and this one – let’s rock out!’ Finding the right configuration while expanding and exploring is an ongoing experiment which I really enjoy and now know a great group of musicians that I can call on. This takes time and can be quite a challenge.
The way to deal with it is keep playing out, go hear music, play with others, be nice, and support each other. Right now I have set lists of songs that sound great as a solo set, duo, trio and a four person band. I love having this variation because in NYC, different venues have certain needs or limitations and we can meet them all.
What is your creative process like? How do you approach songwriting and composing music?
Sometimes I’ll hear a melody and write lyrics to it. Sometimes lyrics pop into my head and I’ll write them down and sing a melody to them. Sometimes, I’ll be playing guitar and an entire song just comes through. I just sit down and write it out or record the melody on my phone if I’m out and about. There’s no one way. Inspiration comes from everywhere and I just take it and run with it!
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music? What inspires your lyrics?
I don’t TRY to write anything specific. I ‘listen’ and write what comes through. Sure, sometimes there are strong cultural trends- – for example during the 2020 protests, I wrote protest songs. My song Smile And Look Pretty was a response to the #metoo movement. But that was happening in the collective and we were all surrounded and moved by it. And again, something that is embodied through our lives makes its way through me as a song and I allow it and write it.
Inspiration comes from everywhere. My life in all its different shades and seasons is the foundation and inspiration of my songs.
What are your long-term goals as an indie musician? Where do you see yourself and your music in the next few years?
My life has not been a linear path! So I’m not so invested in specific goals. I love what I do. I know that I will always be writing music and singing. I’d like my songs to touch people around the globe so that we all feel more connected. Music is MAGIC and I’d like my songs to bring people together, to give them a sense of belonging, to uplift, and to move them.
I want my fellow musicians to feel empowered and our government and society to value what we offer so we can thrive through our artistic contributions.
In my live performances, I’ve been told that, people have a strong experience of connection, feeling, opening. I like hearing that. I like making that happen for people. In the end, music is about transformation. I’d like to always be facilitating a transformative experience through everything I create and contribute in the world.
