Ananya Birla: For long, people did not appreciate me

Set to present her debut album, Bombay Basement, Ananya Birla on finding a foothold in the music industry years after feeling undervalued

Five years after she ventured into music, Ananya Birla is set to present her debut album, Bombay Basement, named after the location at which its six songs were created. In this interview, she discusses becoming comfortable in her own skin as a singer, and drawing from her experiences to pen the numbers.

After having worked in the industry for this long, why did you think that making this album was fitting?
When I returned to India from Los Angeles, there were a lot of things that I wanted to say. I set up this make-shift studio in my basement and decided to write about different things. These are like conversations turned into compositions; so it is honest. When I’m alone is an ideal example of its conversational tone. It is emotional. When I’m alone is a pop [song], the next one is a retro number. So the entire album is in the pop realm, but it is influenced by different genres. 

What are the subjects that the songs will touch upon?
PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], self-discovery, immigration [issues], toxic love and relationships, equality, and racial discrimination. These are drawn from my own experiences.

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Your journey is quite distinct from other indie artistes. What are the challenges you face in establishing yourself in this industry?
For a long time, people didn’t appreciate my talent. I had to get through [that phase]. The first person who said I had a nice voice was AR sir [Rahman]. Only now do I feel appreciated for my art and voice. 

Do you believe you found yourself adjusting to popular choices, or did you try and carve a niche for yourself?
It was a mix of both. I haven’t shied away from who I am, so I built my audience around those who understood that. Many songs of mine fit into what others are accustomed to hearing. I never [aspired] to [appease] everyone. For instance, even if I sing a Hindi-English song, it will be in a non-conventional way. Ever since I started my career, my vision has been to bring misfits together. I always feel like I don’t fit in society. I have seen how strongly music can impact people. It makes me want to keep making good music. 

Is there a song from this lot that is most representative of your style?
I directed When I’m alone, and wrote its screenplay. If you ask anyone close to me, they will say that this song has Ananya written all over it. There is a dark, deprecating humour which is reminiscent of [my style]. There’s another one too that I shot for in Koliwada only days ago. I’m excited for that as well. A third number has the sound of defiance. I like that too.

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