In between her two shows 'Ashnaa Unplugged' at Theatreship in Canary Wharf, rising singer/songwriter Ashnaa Sasikaran spoke with Tamil Guardian about her past, current and future projects.
You’ve recorded with D. Imman for Poikkal Kuthirai on the track ‘Vazhi Ithuthaana.’ What was the experience like?
The experience was really cool. I actually recorded at home with my own setup and then we recorded over WhatsApp video. I had a reference track to go off. Yeah, it was really good. I sent it back and then he gave me some feedback and then I sent another version.
Are there any more Tamil film industry features on the horizon?
I have a couple coming up. I’ve signed an NDA, so I’m not allowed to say, but I’m really excited about those. They should be out within the year.
D Imman introduced you as an Eelam Tamil artist on his soundtrack. What does being Eelam Tamil mean to you and your music?
I’m proud to be [Eelam Tamil] and I think I’m just happy that I’m able to provide a space and be authentic with my music and share that to the world. Anyone that’s able to relate to my lyrics – I just love to connect with my audience.
Do you prefer working with a composer like D Imman, playing covers or writing your own songs?
They’re all amazing in their own way, but definitely the originals. They give me a chance to speak with my music… and also show my sound as an artist as well. I’m able to express myself the best through the music and the lyrics so that’s probably the highlight for me.
The genres you blend are Carnatic and RnB. What was your journey transitioning between them?
I grew up learning Carnatic music. My guru, Vamshi Master – who lives in Edgware – I’ve been learning from him and I have been performing across the UK. It was only during [university] time where I started to listen to other genres of music. Until then, it was just Carnatic music that I was listening to… that was pretty much it. That was the musical genre I knew and appreciated. When I went to uni, I started to listen to more Neo-Soul stuff, jazz and RnB. And then I started to think, “This would be really cool if I could tastefully integrate it into Carnatic music. Then I started to experiment with it. I think it was around just when COVID hit – that’s when I started to post on socials and… upload some ideas and covers with some Carnatic elements as well.
The song choices on your covers online are quite eclectic too, with quite a few old-school tunes like ‘Raasave Unne Nambi,’ ‘Thenpandi Cheemaiyile’ and ‘Raja Raja Chozhan.’ What is your selection process for the tracks you decide to cover?
It’s either through films or my Amma… obviously I grew up listening to different types of music and more of the new Tamil film music. And then Amma will be like, “You have to listen to these songs.” And then I’ll listen to them and I was like, “Oh my God, I’ve been sleeping on so many golden music pieces.” And so I decided to have a go at them and never looked back really.
You’ve named Anderson Paak and Masego as major influences in your music. Are there any specific songs by these artists that particularly speak to you?
With Anderson Paak, one of his earlier albums ‘Malibu’ – that was one of the first albums I listened to… very early on when I was trying to explore new genres of music. So that was the album that resonated most with me because… each of the tracks were so different – they just spoke to me in so many ways. So, that album has always stuck with me.
And then Masego… just the elements of jazz… I just think his artistry is incredible. His saxophone playing as well.
You were involved in a theatre production?
Yes -- that theatre production was ‘Orpheus.’ It was the world of opera and Indian classical music being brought together which was… a crazy combination when I was starting out with it. We had a composer called Jasdeep [Singh Degun] who composed all the Indian classical pieces for the production… This was the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice and I was playing Eurydice… That was actually my first time – first experience – acting, so it was very new to me. But we had amazing training. All the compositions were incredible. I think that’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed being onstage – that’s been the highlight for me… I had so much fun and I learned so much in the process as well…
What song or album are you listening to currently that you’d like to put people on?
I don’t think I’ve been listening to albums as such – it’s just been songs from random albums. Artists like Ady Suleiman and Jordan Rakei -- their soul music just really speaks to me. ‘Need Somebody to Love’ by Ady Suleiman is just… lyrically and musically amazing. I think Ady Suleiman has been [an] artist that has influenced my music [and lyric-writing] for sure.
I’ve been listening to a lot of YEBBA – a lot of her Tiny Desk concerts and live performances... Her vocal range is incredible and her music speaks to me on so many levels. Hearing her voice is incredible, especially in a live environment, and that’s something I want to take into my shows as well.
What advice would you give a young person starting out with their musical career?
To not think too much about what’s going on around you or the people around you. I think… for me posting online was a very impulsive thing. Sometimes I think it would’ve been very easy for me to have not put my music on socials – and if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to connect with so many people and a lot of opportunities would not have gone my way… So, I just think taking the first step of putting your music out there is… really important, especially in this day and age… And approach people for opportunities as well – having that courage would be really, really great.
Five works of art which inspired Ashnaa Sasikaran.
1. Clay sculpting - I’ve been having a lot of fun with that. It’s definitely something that has been a stress reliever for me. My only passion and interest is music – I don’t have any other hobbies apart from that. So, having that art form to sculpt and make art pieces with has been really cool.
2. Dance - There’s one show that I did recently with Rukmini Vijayakumar. I think it’s really cool how music and dance complement each other and how much ‘give and take’ it is when music and dance are being performed together. It’s really inspiring to watch.
3. Theatre productions - Being able to perform onstage and it’s all one take. Having the dance, the music and acting elements all being on one stage. I think that’s pretty cool.
4. Need Somebody to Love (Ady Suleiman) - [Songwriting is] another medium for you to express and it’s so interesting how each of those forms of art can speak in different ways.
5. Kannathil Muthamittal (dir. Mani Ratnam) - The music, the message, the storyline everything is just beautiful. It makes me cry every single time I watch it.
'Ashnaa Unplugged' will be held at Theatreship in Canary Wharf on 28th March.