The Britisch Asian singer and songwriter Shivali Bhammer just came out with her second album Urban Temple which became a number one album in the iTunes world-chart in just a few days. DesiYUP interviewed her about the launch of the album. Read her interview with DesiYUP
DY: You’ve just released your new album Urban temple. And it became a no. 1 in the iTunes world-chart. Can we assume that people have a longing for spiritual music and why do you think that is?
SB: I think we can assume that I have a LOT of family and friends who respond to buying pressure from myself. Just kidding, I think it is a positive sign of hope and faith that spiritual music does have some relevance to our lives and people do care and wish to hear it. It is of course deeply encouraging and rewarding to know that people still value music enough to buy it!
DY: What do you think are the main differences between you and other Indian artists (like Suresh Wadkar, Van Raj Bhatia), that are also making Bhajan albums?
SB: I don’t know, I rarely compare myself to others, I am what I am and they are what they are. However I am sure there are differences such that I am young, I am a woman and I have chosen to do purely devotional music. It isn’t something I do on the side on bollywood music, the bhakti comes first. Traditional Indian artists have a proper grasp on classical indian singing where as I have clear western undertones given my musical upbringing, and of course the production is immensely different.
DY: If you could describe your album in your own few words, how would you do it?
SB: I would describe Urban Temple as unique, honest, beautiful, unconditionally loving and extremely quirky!
DY: This album is part of your journey as a devotee and an artist. How has working on this album affected you spiritually?
SB: The album is part of me and my nature, it is me and Arjun. Working on such an album just makes you more humbled and grounded because you again get the chance to see how God plays His magic through music.
DY: Which song is your favorite and how does it move you?
SB: My personal favorite on the album is a song called Chandra Bala, especially because of Anuj Ghagada’s flute playing in this particular track. The whole song is crafted by Arjun in the most uplifting way, it is an imaginative expression of just breaking free and living. I don’t know why but whenever I listen to that track I feel like I can move mountains, that through my dance the world is spinning.. and is that not what Lord Shiva does? The song is in praise of Him.
DY: What effect do you hope to bring to someone who will listen to your album?
SB: Just that they will remember their own divine relationship, they will feel inspired, they will feel in love, and they will feel peace.
The Britisch Asian singer and songwriter Shivali Bhammer just came out with her second album Urban Temple which became a number one album in the iTunes world-chart in just a few days. DesiYUP interviewed her about the launch of the album. Read her interview with DesiYUP
DY: You’ve just released your new album Urban temple. And it became a no. 1 in the iTunes world-chart. Can we assume that people have a longing for spiritual music and why do you think that is?
SB: I think we can assume that I have a LOT of family and friends who respond to buying pressure from myself. Just kidding, I think it is a positive sign of hope and faith that spiritual music does have some relevance to our lives and people do care and wish to hear it. It is of course deeply encouraging and rewarding to know that people still value music enough to buy it!
DY: What do you think are the main differences between you and other Indian artists (like Suresh Wadkar, Van Raj Bhatia), that are also making Bhajan albums?
SB: I don’t know, I rarely compare myself to others, I am what I am and they are what they are. However I am sure there are differences such that I am young, I am a woman and I have chosen to do purely devotional music. It isn’t something I do on the side on bollywood music, the bhakti comes first. Traditional Indian artists have a proper grasp on classical indian singing where as I have clear western undertones given my musical upbringing, and of course the production is immensely different.
DY: If you could describe your album in your own few words, how would you do it?
SB: I would describe Urban Temple as unique, honest, beautiful, unconditionally loving and extremely quirky!
DY: This album is part of your journey as a devotee and an artist. How has working on this album affected you spiritually?
SB: The album is part of me and my nature, it is me and Arjun. Working on such an album just makes you more humbled and grounded because you again get the chance to see how God plays His magic through music.
DY: Which song is your favorite and how does it move you?
SB: My personal favorite on the album is a song called Chandra Bala, especially because of Anuj Ghagada’s flute playing in this particular track. The whole song is crafted by Arjun in the most uplifting way, it is an imaginative expression of just breaking free and living. I don’t know why but whenever I listen to that track I feel like I can move mountains, that through my dance the world is spinning.. and is that not what Lord Shiva does? The song is in praise of Him.
DY: What effect do you hope to bring to someone who will listen to your album?
SB: Just that they will remember their own divine relationship, they will feel inspired, they will feel in love, and they will feel peace.
