In 2016, Anjali found herself “overcome by feelings of shock and eventual numbness. ”As Anjali found her mind, “numb”, she found her feet leading her to the Women’s March in LA, where she and thousands of others, found her” roar”.
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After a full three years writing and recording this album, Anjali is now on a high-speed train with Musik and Film and worldwide radio promotions.
What would Sade, Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos sound like if they had been raised in India?
Anjali, raised in New Delhi till the age of 10, draws on her extensive training in classical piano, Indian Hindustani classical vocal training, and occasional moonlighting as a jazz pianist to create emotional and haunting melodies. Learning piano through the British school of music since the age of 4, Anjali’s early musical foundation was later strengthened by the contrast of her Indian vocal training, enabling her to begin writing her own songs and communicating in a way words alone never can.
After performing in venues throughout Chicago and Los Angeles, Anjali began a career as an engineer, which enabled her to embrace her greatest gift to date – motherhood. She recently seized the opportunity to create a full length album of songs inspired by her experiences as a wife and mother. Her songs are sonically captivating, blending rhythms and music from east and west. Her lyrics mirror the challenges, struggles and joys we all face in our lifetime, and combine with her powerful, angelic voice to yield a soulful and honest product.
If you could make 1 change to the music industry, what would it be?
The music industry right now is highly corporatized. Streaming services such as Spotify, on the one hand, make music more accessible, which is great for independent artists. But on the other hand it makes it virtually impossible for an independent artist to ever get properly compensated for the effort and work they put into their product. As a result, people are listening to only that which major conglomerates promote, which is low risk and seldom authentic and original. Every new song that comes out is designed to grab your attention within five seconds, and as a result the beauty that is a slow yet glorious build up of a song is no more. Even if we cannot change the corporate model of music, I suppose I would like for these powerful entities to take more chances on artists that have newer sounds, so that music can continue to break boundaries the way it did in the 20th century.
What do you want to always be remembered for?
Above all, as an honest and original songwriter. Secondarily, as a voice for working moms and parents who struggle with the demands of raising kids in a society where help is stigmatized as weakness. This record was created after I emerged from a dark period right after becoming a mom. It does get better.
What advice would you give a music artist who is just starting out?
Practice your craft! Keep playing, keep writing, keep singing. Even if you don’t think there is a reason on the horizon, like a performance or a recording. Because if and when the opportunity does strike, you better be ready.
How would you describe your music?
Hindustani vocal infused classical piano based jazz-influenced pop music with an R&B back line. You know, typical stuff. 😉
When did you realize that you wanted a career in music and what prompted that decision?
An opportunity fell into my lap when I met my producer by chance. I knew then that I owed it to myself, my parents who had invested so much in my musical education, and all the friends who have supported me along the way to make the most of this opportunity and put out the best record that I could.
if you had the chance for the world to hear one song what would it be?
“The best is yet to come”. It is one of the most honest songs I have written, and I believe the theme is universal. It is a song about the enduring bonds of love, but also acknowledges that life isn’t a bed of roses, and that true love deepens through both adversity and joy. Plus, it is a tribute to my husband, and I want my listeners to know how much he has supported me through this entire journey…. Anjali Ray