By: PrajaktaMohite
BRITISH SINGER-SONGWRITER ADDS TO HER GROWING REPUTATION WITH SINGLE ON FIRE
by ASJAD NAZIR
SOME singers follow the crowd and others like Swaati lead the way with an out-of-the-box musical approach.
One of the best-kept secrets in British music has regularly combined her world-class vocals with eclectic sounds to create songs that make listeners look at music in a new way.
The talented singer, songwriter and musician continues to walk down her own path with her newly released single On Fire , which finds the hallowed middle ground between the artistic and commercial.
Eastern Eye caught up with Swaati to talk about her musical journey, latest song, inspirations, future plans and more…
How do you look back on your musical journey?
I’ve always loved music. My first memory was playing a Casio keyboard as a six-year-old and dreaming of being Madonna’s keyboard player. I’ve been very fortunate with the support I’ve received during my musical journey, including from family members, who made sacrifices and guidance from mentors such as D-Boy.
It’s always an amazing feeling when people tell me they’ve been inspired by my music. It makes everything about this journey, including the highs and lows, worth it. I don’t regret anything but wish I were taught certain lessons about the industry sooner in my teenage years, so I didn’t have to learn the hard way as an adult.
What led you towards your unique sound?
Music is growth! It took years of external and internal exploration to grow into my musical style now, but it doesn’t stop there. Evolution for a creative human is infinite. Growing up I was not only trying to find myself, but also a sound I could call home for my voice to live in comfortably.
However I’ve learnt that home isn’t always about your comfort zone, but a place where you can take a leap outside of it and feel safe at the same time. My tastes, inspirations, emotions and world experiences all accumulated to approach my music in a unique way.
How would you describe your musical sound?
Vulnerable yet haunting vocals over an electronic backdrop! It’s all about the stories and intimacy I bring to a very personal setting. Lykke Li meets London Grammer, given the contrast of soft, sweet vocals to a blurred electronic dance backdrop.
A sound that is a balancing act of tough, wise worldliness yet fragile. Soulful yet powerful, strong and sometimes a welcome fray around the edges, like the morning after a long unforgettable night.
Tell us about your latest single On Fire?
On Fire is a collaboration between myself and a production house called Lodge 92, who I have worked very closely with over the recent years. My first single, Tone, kicked off the journey and set the mood for the next few records.
On Fire is about a time in your life when everything is going right. You wake up and your hair is amazing, you get dressed and everything fits perfect, and you feel great. You go out feeling like a ray of light, confidence is sky high and it feels like you’ve got that magic touch!
What was the biggest challenge of putting the song together?
The years that it took to find our sound! With Lodge 92 and myself, we had to overcome differences in our musical backgrounds and styles. Coming together and blending instead of clashing took time, but we found a middle ground, which forced us to expand all of our creativity.
We’ve put in time to bond and to get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and through that the magic can be heard with On Fire and upcoming singles.
Who are you hoping connects to the new single?
This song is all about empowerment, confidence and feeling great about yourself. People of all ages can relate to it in some way or the other. It’s a real fresh upbeat, feel-good song.
How does On Fire compare to other songs you have done?
For me, this is a new style and came as a result of me stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s so exciting as it’s like a start of a brand new chapter; it’s the first of its kind for me. My songs are representative of my life at that particular moment in time. This is a reflection of me right now. Excited and full of positive vibes!
Where do you draw your musical inspirations from?
Life experiences play a large part of what inspires me. Aside from that, I draw inspiration from the artists that I’m most listening to at that particular time, which changes regularly.
Where is the strangest place you have come up with a song?
A lot of my ideas pop into my head while I’m having a shower. I literally have to leap for my phone to quickly record a voice note. Usually when I’m in a comfortable and familiar place I’ll have my best ideas.
I’ve found forcing it usually just ends up with a blank page, so I make sure that wherever I am the environment around me allows me to create the way I know how.
What is the masterplan going forward?
To keep creating music that allows me to express who I am at that moment in time, which others can relate to. I believe it would be selfish to keep this gift hidden behind the four walls of my studio.
Sharing is caring after all. Someone somewhere needs to hear my voice more than myself, and I will continue to do everything in my power to keep writing, singing and pushing it out to the world.
Who would you love to sing a duet with?
It would be an absolute dream and honour to work with Stromae.
Which of your unreleased songs are you most exciting about?
The next single Take It There is a real feel-good song. It’s virtually impossible for me not to start dancing the second I hear it! I can’t wait for you to hear it.
Who is your biggest musical hero?
Prince will always be a musical genius in my eyes. He represented someone that kept it real 100 per cent of the time. He wasn’t afraid of not being perfect as a person and also through his music. He impacted my life as a child, especially after watching his film Purple Rain. I felt I could relate to him on a personal level. It’s beautiful how his performances became melting pots where different kinds of people came together to enjoy themselves in his presence. As they say, heroes are always remembered and legends never die.
What kind of music dominates your own playlist?
I listen to a lot of world music. There is something very special about listening to lyrics written in a language I don’t understand. It allows me to concentrate on feelings the music naturally invokes instead of getting distracted by the words. I’m listening to a lot of Bulgarian and Romanian folk music. YouTube is my best friend; I sit weekly to just fish fresh inspiring music from all corners of the world. At present my main playlist consists of Grimes, Sonder, Stromae, Russ and Indila. There’s something I can learn from each one of them, whether it be vocal technique, harmonies, their use of melody or simply how to elevate moods through sound.
If you could learn a musical instrument, which would it be?
As a youngster I was encouraged to take violin and guitar lessons, but became lazy and missed classes. I wish I carried on. When you’re young you don’t understand how valuable learning to play music is. I will always encourage young kids to pick up an instrument and just play. I would have over 15 years’ experience playing both the violin and guitar if I stuck to it.
What is your karaoke song of choice?
Wicked Games by Chris Isaak. It’s a song that I would hear often at home when I was growing up. So on that basis you could say that song reminds me of a sweet young time in life, my comfort zone.
What is the biggest challenge that you face as an independent artist?
Challenges as an independent artist come by daily. It’s tough and laborious as a creative individual having to do the admin side to support my music. It’s easy for me to sing and create sounds.
However it’s a real struggle sending emails, networking, contacting radio stations, staying on top of social media and literally plugging myself so that my music can actually be heard. It’s much easier for me to focus on singing, writing and creating sounds.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
You are only as good as your last success. Have the courage to live a life true to yourself and not the life others expect of you. Happiness is a choice and everything else is a matter of perspective.
What is your greatest ambition away from music?
I love animals and specifically cats. It would be a dream to open up a cat sanctuary on a couple of acres of land somewhere in the country. You could call me cat lady!
Why do you love music?
Since I was a toddler, it has literally been a way of life for me. I breathe music. As an introvert child, I struggled at communication and still do most days. However through music I was able to express my inner emotions. Music has become the language for my soul to communicate through.
Music is like the person that never lets me down. Music is the wave that keeps me afloat through the rough ocean that life can be sometimes.
Why should we pick up the latest single On Fire?
It’s authentic! It’s a completely fresh, unique sound that will inspire and leave you smiling even through winter. Different sounds bring out different emotions. I find it difficult to be exposed to depthless music and thrive on discovering talented independent artists whose songs and lyrics transport me to a new dimension.
Through this single and the ones to follow, I have attempted to do the same; to leave you with a positive experience and transport you into a better moment of your life where you are completely content.
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