Sukanya is known for her artistic endeavours, such as dance, jewellery designing, exercise and, of course, music. She is set to release her debut album — Around The World — on November 25. The eight-track record took five years to complete since it involves national and international artistes. You will get to hear Ray3urn and Uri Green. The message behind the effort zeroes in on social, political and environmental issues but the vibe is dance-y. Here’s what the Calcutta-based artiste told us about her forthcoming release.
How are you feeling about your debut album?
I’m really excited and anxious. However, some music videos are releasing before the album... more like an early treat. I have made some people hear it and so far, so good... I’m waiting to hear from fans, who keep sharing my work online, and also from new listeners.
Why are you calling it Around The World?
For my debut album I wanted to create a compilation of songs that reflects my thoughts about the world and the issues around me; issues that any protest artiste would talk about... social, political, environmental, motivational and natural. Every song has the potential to resonate with people around the world and I want them to find inspiration and philosophy from each song and apply it in their lives. Second, some of the songs are in collaboration with international artistes, so I thought the name would be apt.
“Message is in the music” seems to be mantra of the album.
The message is to love one another, care for your environment, change modern lifestyle into a holistic one, keep one’s head up high, gather awareness about the political situation and how I am tired of their wrongdoings. Mother nature has always been my inspiration and plays a key role in shaping the songs.
Can you walk us through the genres the album covers?
Just like any independent artiste, I had to face lot of rejection. Also, being an independent artiste money was a big factor. However, I’m glad with what has resulted even on a tight budget. It took me five years to complete because of the lack of enthusiasm from the opposite side to carry forward my vibe. The sound is different in each song and no two song are alike. Home production sounds different from studio production and the first four songs are produced by local talents. When I wrote the songs originally, they were completely different. I gave all the boys their freedom in bringing my lyrics and melody to life. I just said that they should be danceable. We went through infinite corrections and I didn’t give up on how I wanted it to sound.
You recently returned from the UK. Were some of the recordings done there?
Yes, I recorded Warrior there. Earlier this year, Malaysian hip-hop and reggae artiste Masia One connected via Instagram. She has written songs for Jay-Z , Dr Dre and has worked in LA and Jamaica. She found me unique and asked me to sing on the new Empress Tribe version which has big female reggae artistes from around the world, like Dub Fx’s wife Shahida Apsara. I was in tears to know that I’m the only one from India. However, the track version is by a dub producer duo from Bristol called Pana Dub. I connected with them on Instagram and luckily got to meet and record an EP with them in Bristol. Gabbo from Pana Dub introduced me to Uri Green and during my stay in Bristol I recorded Warrior in Kuumba Centre. I could hear Hollie Cook rehearsing next door.
What was your purpose of the UK visit?
I went to stay with my elder sister, Sirsa. She gave me many opportunities to flourish as an artiste during my three-month stay in the UK.
The UK is truly a place of outstanding beauty. Every time I stepped out, I found a new flower and being a nature lover I was mesmerised by the colours and patterns . Most parks are open to all and I really missed my friends when I saw people having a party lying on the grass.
There is a strong Black community and, naturally, I got to visit some of the coolest sound system parties. I saw Seun Kuti live and experienced my first Sound Clash at a Grace Jones Meltdown event. It was the best season to visit when music festivals were at its peak and the temperature was high. I took dance training from legendary waackers Princess Lockeroo and Bagsy. I also met my Disconnection fam, a waacking community in London. I met and trained with them in 2019 during my first trip to London. One evening we trained at DJ Renegade’s house and I jammed with a band from Sudan, The Scorpions and we discussed recording a song together. I got an opportunity to teach the ancient technique of cleansing, Jal Neti and Sutra Neti, to renowned DJ Snuff, who lives a holistic life. I visited the famous Fringe Festivals in Edinburgh and the streets were full of artists showcasing their talent and handing out flyers. The variety of African, European and Asian cuisine was endless. There is a strong vegan community which hold vegan food parties. I attended lot of events, shot some music videos... one in Shoreditch, a famous place in east London for graffiti. I also recorded a track with DJ Bunjy of the famous Laid Black band from Bristol. And performed with Arrival Sound at a Sound System event in Totenham.
Song & Stories:
Children Are The Future by Ray3urn: Ray3urn was interested in working on this and we started exchanging vibes but somehow it was not matching. I realised I couldn’t miss the opportunity and had to make it work. So I wrote down my thoughts and I knew that giving it a “nature sound” would be perfect for the opening track and we worked around our unique qualities.
Burning Down by Joe: This was the first song I made. Initially the song was very slow and I wrote it as a parting hymn, sitting and crying next to my grandmother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s. I guided Joe (producer) and shaped it. Scientist (dub mixer) then found me on Facebook asked me to send him a track, so I sent him Burning Down. When he got back to me with his dub mix I was blown away. When I met him in the UK after his show, his fans were waiting for him to autograph his vinyl covers.
Times by Abraar: The hard-hitting song took us several months to complete. My cousin brother shared the hook for the song. I took a beat off YouTube and made Abraar hear it.
Head Held High by Chlorine aka Siddharth: Initially this original track was made by Granular but it wasn’t released so I had re-recorded what I had written (this was in 2018). When Siddharth heard the demo, a vision quickly appeared.
Falling Down by Arrival Sound and General Zooz: I released a reggae track with General Zooz last year and, soon after, started working on another. I had a difficult time in finding a producer for this track and after a lot of trial and error we got in touch with Arrival Sound from London. He was excited to create this. He is a reggae artiste and I thought it would be nice to add this to the album.
Warrior by Uri Green: This one was on a reggae backing I found from YouTube and it was slow-ish. When I met Uri at his Yam and Banana Studios in Bristol he liked the demo and we recorded it in three hours.
