INTERVIEW: Ananya Birla talks her latest single 'Caught Up': "The song talks about me taking ownership for my side of things in life, wanting to be better each day."
India’s Ananya Birla first released music in 2016, and over the past seven years has become India’s leading English language pop star, with over 500 million streams to date.
With a mix of electropop, synthpop, R&B and traditional Indian music elements, Birla creates gorgeous music that is contemporary and global while still retaining a nod to her roots.
Last month she released the single ‘Caught Up’, which is a hypnotic fusion of R&B, pop, Afrobeats and Indian instrumentation and marks a new sonic chapter in her career.
“As an artist and as a human, I am constantly trying to do better and be better. I have spent the last couple of years really experimenting and honing in on a distinct new sound,” she says. “When the pandemic hit, I was stuck in the USA. Being away from home and family made me grow fonder and appreciate home even more. I wanted to find a way to bring that taste of India into my soundscape in a non-stereotypical, integrated kind of way. After months of iteration, when we finally got it, I just knew it felt right! ‘Caught Up’, is the first song in this new soundscape and I absolutely cannot wait for all of you to hear it and everything that’s to come.”
Lyrically, the song speaks of being stuck in a toxic relationship, realising that not only is your partner bad for you, but you are having a similar effect on them. It is a theme played out in the music video, which sees Birla and her fictional partner constrained in a single room, a metaphor for how their relationship is permanently restricted with no way to go, or grow.
Alongside her music career, Birla has also become a powerful advocate for mental health and supporting children in need. She co-founded Mpower, a foundation that provides mental health awareness across India as well as becoming an ambassador for the National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMI). She has also founded the Ananya Birla Foundation which has benefited projects for Save The Children India.
An artist that makes music that is always fresh, exciting and full of dreamy beats and melodies, if she isn’t already, Birla should be on your playlist immediately. We recently caught up with her to chat about her music career and the creation of ‘Caught Up’.
Hi Ananya! So lovely to chat with you, how is everything in your world right now?
I am in a happy place right now, everything is good. I feel grateful for every moment.
Congratulations on the release of your new single ‘Caught Up’, it is such a jam! The lyrics speak about realising you are in a toxic relationship; can you talk to me a little about the inspiration behind the song?
Thank you for appreciating ‘Caught Up’.
Most of us have experienced being in a toxic relationship. ‘Caught Up’ came about after the very last one that I had. The song talks about me taking ownership for my side of things in life, wanting to be better each day. It’s easy to blame, it’s easy to say you’ve been bad for me, but here I am saying, I was bad too. It’s important to accept ownership and accountability for our role in anything, whether it be the workplace, friendships or relationships.
You have spoken about ‘Caught Up’ being the first song in a new soundscape for you, what kind of sound and ‘feels’ did you want to explore with this song, and also in this new era of your sound?
Being away from home and family during the pandemic, made me grow fonder and appreciate home even more. I wanted to find a way to capture that nostalgia and essence of India into my sound. After two years of experimentation, we finally got it! We cracked that subtle Indian touch and I just knew it felt right!
You have also released a wonderful music video for ‘Caught Up’, what was the process of making that like?
It was super fun. I wanted to depict the ups and downs for a toxic relationship. Everything in the video is shot in one room which serves as a metaphor for a toxic relationship; every time you try to leave, you find yourself right back in that very same room.
Alongside music, this year also sees you making your film debut in Shlok: The Desi Sherlock. What was that experience like?
Yes, I debut with Shlok: The Desi Sherlock, which is a Bollywood movie, something I thought I’d never do; but then, acting just happened. The movie is slated for release later this year.
I had a great time while shooting for it. I feel like I learnt a lot through the character that I played. The team was incredible and the experience is something I actually miss.
You started music when you were young, learning the santoor before progressing onto other instruments. Who were the singers who inspired you on your musical journey?
My mother used to play the santoor. Something about how the sticks would hit the strings and create these beautiful sounds, always intrigued me and I started learning the instrument around the age of eight. Cut to 20 years later, I still play the santoor and love it just as much. Playing the santoor sometimes feels like a state of meditation.
I have drawn inspiration from many artists over the years. I think I really had a nice eclectic mix of influences. I was, and still am a huge fan of Bollywood music. I also grew up listening to and loving mainstream pop, R&B and rap; whether that was Eminem, Elton John, ABBA, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, all of them, were on the top of my list. Each of them inspired me for different reasons; from Eminem’s vulnerability and raw honesty to Lady Gaga’s unapologetic individuality, all of them bring such unique perspectives to the table.
Indian pop music doesn’t get the mainstream, global attention it deserves. What do you think everything should know about Indian pop music?
I think the world now has its eyes on the Indian scene. There are so many talented people across pop and hip hop. With digital media, the world is growing smaller with each passing day. It is a very exciting time for us in India, and I think, it’s on us Indian artists, to make good music that the world would want to listen to. At the end of the day music goes beyond culture, race, colour, and all these societal constructs. That’s what I love about it.
You are heavily involved in charitable foundations that support mental health, women and children amongst many things. How important is it for you to use your platform for these causes?
I feel blessed to have a platform through which I can bring awareness towards causes that I am passionate about. I think it is important since I have been provided this opportunity. Mental health is something I have had my challenges with, and is currently still a very stigmatised topic. My aim is to make mental health more of a mainstream conversation. It is something I feel very strongly towards.
The music industry has never been a particularly welcoming or safe space for female artists, mainly because it has been run by older, straight, white men for decades. What are your thoughts on gender (in)equality and sexism in music?
Inequality in whatever form that maybe is something that I strongly stand against. It hasn’t been easy for women and all of you inspire me so much. I would like to believe that if we continue to stand up and root for each other, there is no better time for us to shine!
‘Caught Up’ is out now, what else do you have planned for 2023?
I am super excited for everything coming out this year. The next couple of songs are already ready. Some super exciting features; some artists that I have looked up to have become a part of my journey now. I acted in a Bollywood movie which will be released this year. I have been working on a poetry book that will be released soon. I am also a big sneakerhead and I have been working on my own sneaker brand which I can’t wait to launch!
‘Caught Up’ is out now. You can buy and stream here.
To keep up with all things Ananya Birla you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter.
