Finding your voice, with ASHWARYA

1. Tell us a bit about your background, where did you grow up?
I was born in India and raised in Melbourne. I was lucky enough to experience my culture through my parents, especially my grandparents, who introduced me to Bollywood music. It was a culturally enriched environment, and I’m super grateful to have that upbringing and perspective.

Growing up in Melbourne has allowed me to feel like it is a place where cultures can collide. It’s given me the freedom to express myself authentically and not feel like I need to try to find a particular cultural identity but embrace my own Indian culture, Australian upbringing and a wide variety of other cultures.


2. Have you always enjoyed singing?
Always and forever!


3. When did you realise singing was going to become your career?
I think I was in a place in my life where everything felt wrong, and I knew that if I didn’t leave everything and give it a shot, then I’d regret it down the line. Best decision ever.

4. How did you start building up your brand in the music industry?
I guess it was a pretty organic process. I already had somewhat of an idea of how I wanted to be presented visually and sonically. I just approached every opportunity with that security that I knew what was authentic to me. Obviously along the way I’ve grown and learnt so much about myself from working with others but starting off with that understanding about myself was really helpful.

5. What would you say for anyone thinking of starting a career in music?
I’d say genuinely back yourself with everything you put out. There is nothing more empowering than to feel like you’re absolutely confident and proud of what you are putting out into the world regardless of what happens. It’s all mindset; in the end, the rest will follow through.

6. What’s been your biggest achievement in your career to date?
From a broader perspective I’d say that I’ve been able to navigate myself through to finding my own sound and adapt to new environments (like lockdown ) whilst still getting the outcome I’ve wanted!

7. Favourite thing to do when you have downtime?
Hang out with my friends and laugh till our stomachs hurt haha

8. What do you find tough about being in the music industry?
It’s tough not knowing what the outcome of your music will be after putting in so much work. I think patience, self-confidence combined with a long-term mindset is key here because it’s hard to predict anything early on.

6. What’s been your biggest achievement in your career to date?
From a broader perspective I’d say that I’ve been able to navigate myself through to finding my own sound and adapt to new environments (like lockdown ) whilst still getting the outcome I’ve wanted!

7. Favourite thing to do when you have downtime?
Hang out with my friends and laugh till our stomachs hurt haha

8. What do you find tough about being in the music industry?
It’s tough not knowing what the outcome of your music will be after putting in so much work. I think patience, self-confidence combined with a long-term mindset is key here because it’s hard to predict anything early on.

9. Who do you look up to in the music industry?
I look up to so many artists and their work; I think before I never realised how many roles an artist needs to take on other than creating and performing but there is so much more than that needs to be done behind the scenes. I also look up to everyone behind the scenes who build us to be who we are!

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself performing shows around the world, collaborating with other artists and creatives who I look up to. Hopefully, I have a clothing brand, a few dogs and most importantly, a great bunch of people who enjoy and can connect with me through my music!

11. Are there any challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This is such a basic answer but honestly it’s been challenging in covid. Having shows cancelled, having limited resources due to lockdown and not being able to interact with my listeners has been hard. On the flip side I’ve learnt a bunch of useful skills like creating my own content/music videos in lockdown!

Ginny Barro

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