MUMBAI: Indo-American singer-songwriter Subhi dropped her latest original single “Naqaab”, shot completely during Lockdown.
She also released her unplugged version of Naqaab.
“Naqaab” is about freeing oneself and not getting in one’s own way. We all have unfulfilled desires, but we are afraid to acknowledge them. We hide them deep down, somewhere inside us, and pretend to be happy.
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Being an Indian American she always had this conflict of where she belongs. The singer shared that she was writing and creating in both Hindi & English, but because of her fears and preconceived notions, she never shared or released English songs. “I feel as women, sometimes we undermine our own desires and wishes. I have realized, I need to free myself, unmask myself, and let the world see the true me. I want to tell people that it’s alright to have desires, but it’s not okay to have regrets. Unmask those desires and set yourself free so you can live”.
Watch here:
Watch here (Unplugged version):
The official music video and unplugged version were both recorded at home using her iPhone. Sharing the new experience of shooting and recording, “As an Indie artist, it really helped me realize my own potential of creating content while at home. This experience has made me more independent and expanded my skill set”.
The singer is popularly known for combining the worlds of Hindi folk and American pop to create a captivating sound that is poetic and contemporary. Her singles are “Mehfil” and “Cage”. She recently received the Individual Artist Program Grant 2020 from Chicago.
Subhi misses having her team around while shooting the music video. Being physically onset has a very different feel and energy. Each person takes inspiration from the other. She missed that human connection during this time. Studios are rooms specifically treated for recording purposes while our homes are not. She had to buy equipment and work on her setup. When working with a music producer, it helps to be physically present in the same room as they guide the artist in terms of performance. However, she’s proud of the end product and truly believes it came out well.
Subhi shares her point of view on Indian Music spreading in western countries, “Be it Hindustani Classical music, Bollywood music, or Indian origin artists making their names in the Pop world. As technology expands, the world is getting smaller and coming together like never before and I see Indian music spreading across the world and making waves like never before”.
The singer is working on a new Hindi song with a Mumbai based music producer and hopes to release it in the coming months.
She’s also using this time to work on her debut English EP. Singles from her EP should start releasing by the fall of this year.
Stay tuned!
