By Spandan Fulkar
15th Jan 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
15th Jan 2024
Social media has emerged as the bridge that connected music creators with their audience in the vast expanse of the music, transforming the picture into an interconnected edge. This digital evolution didn't just alter the way we consume music, it sparked a revolution, pushing many artists toward freelancing opportunities, fostering a tighter-knit community. As musicians embraced the gig economy, delving into music reviews and crafting small musical pieces, the industry witnessed a shift. Yet, amid this transformative wave, a unique story took an unexpected turn in a different direction for Aashna Anand.
From Back-End to Centre Stage
Embarking on a journey into the music world was quite the unexpected adventure. If you had asked her a while back, becoming a DJ was nowhere on her radar. Yet, her profound love for music, as an ever-present companion in her life, led her down to an unforeseen path during the lockdown says Aashna who among her followers is widely known by her stage name ‘Nariki’ The process was both spontaneous and fascinating, with each mix becoming a canvas for self-expression.
Social media has emerged as the bridge that connected music creators with their audience in the vast expanse of the music, transforming the picture into an interconnected edge. This digital evolution didn't just alter the way we consume music, it sparked a revolution, pushing many artists toward freelancing opportunities, fostering a tighter-knit community. As musicians embraced the gig economy, delving into music reviews and crafting small musical pieces, the industry witnessed a shift. Yet, amid this transformative wave, a unique story took an unexpected turn in a different direction for Aashna Anand.
From Back-End to Centre Stage
Embarking on a journey into the music world was quite the unexpected adventure. If you had asked her a while back, becoming a DJ was nowhere on her radar. Yet, her profound love for music, as an ever-present companion in her life, led her down to an unforeseen path during the lockdown says Aashna who among her followers is widely known by her stage name ‘Nariki’ The process was both spontaneous and fascinating, with each mix becoming a canvas for self-expression.
Pen to Turntables
While talking to ‘The Outsiders’ Nariki told us how the idea was to be around music and make a career out of it but she didn't really think of herself to be musically talented so she chose to do the back-end work. A former music journalist and artist booking extraordinaire, who found solace in the back alleys of the industry and make a living out of it. "I always had an ear for good music," she recalls, "And I tried my hands at DJing during lockdown out of sheer curiosity. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would become a DJ. But here I am." Said Nariki. Turntables became her escape, a creative outlet that allowed her to weave a narrative through beats and melodies and the more she delved into the art of DJing, the more she discovered its profound impact on her connection with music.
Versatility Amid Advice
When we asked her about the influences or experiences that played a significant role in shaping her sound, Nariki told us that very early in her journey an industry stalwart advised her to find her sound and stick to it. This advice echoed in her ears, but Nariki found strength in versatility. "I can't help but remain curious and itch to play different sounds when I find something interesting. I have found my strength to be versatility and the ability to blend in any line-up," she confides. According to Nariki, her childhood pals, good friends and ex-boyfriends, have all been major sources of inspiration in her story and left their mark on her. "DJing, with some basic skill and technicality, is nothing but sharing good music with people. Once I learned the business of it while working in the back-end, I thought it was worth a shot."
Pen to Turntables
While talking to ‘The Outsiders’ Nariki told us how the idea was to be around music and make a career out of it but she didn't really think of herself to be musically talented so she chose to do the back-end work. A former music journalist and artist booking extraordinaire, who found solace in the back alleys of the industry and make a living out of it. "I always had an ear for good music," she recalls, "And I tried my hands at DJing during lockdown out of sheer curiosity. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would become a DJ. But here I am." Said Nariki. Turntables became her escape, a creative outlet that allowed her to weave a narrative through beats and melodies and the more she delved into the art of DJing, the more she discovered its profound impact on her connection with music.
Versatility Amid Advice
When we asked her about the influences or experiences that played a significant role in shaping her sound, Nariki told us that very early in her journey an industry stalwart advised her to find her sound and stick to it. This advice echoed in her ears, but Nariki found strength in versatility. "I can't help but remain curious and itch to play different sounds when I find something interesting. I have found my strength to be versatility and the ability to blend in any line-up," she confides. According to Nariki, her childhood pals, good friends and ex-boyfriends, have all been major sources of inspiration in her story and left their mark on her. "DJing, with some basic skill and technicality, is nothing but sharing good music with people. Once I learned the business of it while working in the back-end, I thought it was worth a shot."
Pen to Turntables
While talking to ‘The Outsiders’ Nariki told us how the idea was to be around music and make a career out of it but she didn't really think of herself to be musically talented so she chose to do the back-end work. A former music journalist and artist booking extraordinaire, who found solace in the back alleys of the industry and make a living out of it. "I always had an ear for good music," she recalls, "And I tried my hands at DJing during lockdown out of sheer curiosity. Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would become a DJ. But here I am." Said Nariki. Turntables became her escape, a creative outlet that allowed her to weave a narrative through beats and melodies and the more she delved into the art of DJing, the more she discovered its profound impact on her connection with music.
Versatility Amid Advice
When we asked her about the influences or experiences that played a significant role in shaping her sound, Nariki told us that very early in her journey an industry stalwart advised her to find her sound and stick to it. This advice echoed in her ears, but Nariki found strength in versatility. "I can't help but remain curious and itch to play different sounds when I find something interesting. I have found my strength to be versatility and the ability to blend in any line-up," she confides. According to Nariki, her childhood pals, good friends and ex-boyfriends, have all been major sources of inspiration in her story and left their mark on her. "DJing, with some basic skill and technicality, is nothing but sharing good music with people. Once I learned the business of it while working in the back-end, I thought it was worth a shot."
Breaking Through Male Dominance
The challenges of being a female artist in India didn't escape Nariki’s notice. "There were only a handful of female DJs doing what I do in India, so it was easy to climb up the ranks," she reflects. "I consider myself extremely lucky to have found space in this highly male-dominant industry because I've had support from my friends and family." However, for many girls in our country, the idea of enjoying nightlife, let alone making a career out of it, remains a distant dream.
Bollywood Beats
Nariki's story extends beyond the turntables, resonating in the beats of Modern Bollywood, a genre that speaks to her heart. "Hindi music speaks to my heart," she states. "Bollywood musicians and composers, at least from back in the day, inculcated a lot of musical instruments, melodies, and meaningful lyrics in their compositions. I aim to do the same with my sets."
Origin of 'Nariki'
When we asked her the meaning behind her stage name, she explained us that the name Nariki, picked from a ‘sanyas’ name suggestion, perfectly captures her artistic vibe. "I stumbled upon 'Nariki' as a suggestion on the Osho website. They described it as 'free-flowing like a river.' I found it charming and cute and thought it fit well with my journey as an artist."
Industry's Realities
In today's music landscape, branding and packaging play a crucial role. When we discussed this approach and non-musical aspects such as branding and visual representation with Nariki she told us “I've started to believe that at the end of the day, it is all that matters. It is sad, but true.” It's crucial to grasp the undeniable truth that, in the end, everything is a business. The industry encompasses more than just the artists and their music. Understanding and respecting this reality sooner rather than later can significantly enhance one's journey. After all, navigating the intricacies of the industry is not just an art; it's a business ballet where every move counts.
Aashna vs. Nariki
As we dove into the facets of Aashna, the individual, and Nariki, the artist, here's how Nariki articulated the distinction. You know, when it comes to Aashna and Nariki, it's like dealing with two sides of the same coin. Aashna, the person behind the scenes, and Nariki, the artist in the spotlight. It's all pretty emotional for both of them – they approach things from the heart, pouring their passion into everything. They're like partners in crime, curious to see how far this journey takes them. It's a bit of a tag team, each bringing something unique to the table, but always connected by that shared drive and eagerness to make things happen..
Breaking Through Male Dominance
The challenges of being a female artist in India didn't escape Nariki’s notice. "There were only a handful of female DJs doing what I do in India, so it was easy to climb up the ranks," she reflects. "I consider myself extremely lucky to have found space in this highly male-dominant industry because I've had support from my friends and family." However, for many girls in our country, the idea of enjoying nightlife, let alone making a career out of it, remains a distant dream.
Bollywood Beats
Nariki's story extends beyond the turntables, resonating in the beats of Modern Bollywood, a genre that speaks to her heart. "Hindi music speaks to my heart," she states. "Bollywood musicians and composers, at least from back in the day, inculcated a lot of musical instruments, melodies, and meaningful lyrics in their compositions. I aim to do the same with my sets."
Origin of 'Nariki'
When we asked her the meaning behind her stage name, she explained us that the name Nariki, picked from a ‘sanyas’ name suggestion, perfectly captures her artistic vibe. "I stumbled upon 'Nariki' as a suggestion on the Osho website. They described it as 'free-flowing like a river.' I found it charming and cute and thought it fit well with my journey as an artist."
Industry's Realities
In today's music landscape, branding and packaging play a crucial role. When we discussed this approach and non-musical aspects such as branding and visual representation with Nariki she told us “I've started to believe that at the end of the day, it is all that matters. It is sad, but true.” It's crucial to grasp the undeniable truth that, in the end, everything is a business. The industry encompasses more than just the artists and their music. Understanding and respecting this reality sooner rather than later can significantly enhance one's journey. After all, navigating the intricacies of the industry is not just an art; it's a business ballet where every move counts.
Aashna vs. Nariki
As we dove into the facets of Aashna, the individual, and Nariki, the artist, here's how Nariki articulated the distinction. You know, when it comes to Aashna and Nariki, it's like dealing with two sides of the same coin. Aashna, the person behind the scenes, and Nariki, the artist in the spotlight. It's all pretty emotional for both of them – they approach things from the heart, pouring their passion into everything. They're like partners in crime, curious to see how far this journey takes them. It's a bit of a tag team, each bringing something unique to the table, but always connected by that shared drive and eagerness to make things happen.
Breaking Through Male Dominance
The challenges of being a female artist in India didn't escape Nariki’s notice. "There were only a handful of female DJs doing what I do in India, so it was easy to climb up the ranks," she reflects. "I consider myself extremely lucky to have found space in this highly male-dominant industry because I've had support from my friends and family." However, for many girls in our country, the idea of enjoying nightlife, let alone making a career out of it, remains a distant dream.
Bollywood Beats
Nariki's story extends beyond the turntables, resonating in the beats of Modern Bollywood, a genre that speaks to her heart. "Hindi music speaks to my heart," she states. "Bollywood musicians and composers, at least from back in the day, inculcated a lot of musical instruments, melodies, and meaningful lyrics in their compositions. I aim to do the same with my sets."
Origin of 'Nariki'
When we asked her the meaning behind her stage name, she explained us that the name Nariki, picked from a ‘sanyas’ name suggestion, perfectly captures her artistic vibe. "I stumbled upon 'Nariki' as a suggestion on the Osho website. They described it as 'free-flowing like a river.' I found it charming and cute and thought it fit well with my journey as an artist."
Industry's Realities
In today's music landscape, branding and packaging play a crucial role. When we discussed this approach and non-musical aspects such as branding and visual representation with Nariki she told us “I've started to believe that at the end of the day, it is all that matters. It is sad, but true.” It's crucial to grasp the undeniable truth that, in the end, everything is a business. The industry encompasses more than just the artists and their music. Understanding and respecting this reality sooner rather than later can significantly enhance one's journey. After all, navigating the intricacies of the industry is not just an art; it's a business ballet where every move counts.
Aashna vs. Nariki
As we dove into the facets of Aashna, the individual, and Nariki, the artist, here's how Nariki articulated the distinction. You know, when it comes to Aashna and Nariki, it's like dealing with two sides of the same coin. Aashna, the person behind the scenes, and Nariki, the artist in the spotlight. It's all pretty emotional for both of them – they approach things from the heart, pouring their passion into everything. They're like partners in crime, curious to see how far this journey takes them. It's a bit of a tag team, each bringing something unique to the table, but always connected by that shared drive and eagerness to make things happen.
