Ananya’s distinct texture

Singer-songwriter Ananya Birla, who came up with her second single “Meant To Be”, talks about her dream collaboration

After topping the charts and making headlines with her debut song “Livin’ the Life”, Ananya Birla has released her second international single, “Meant To Be” recently. The electro-pop single is produced by Anders Frøen known as ‘Mood Melodies’. The single released worldwide across all digital platforms and streaming services. Keeping her musical commitment in momentum, the ingenious entrepreneur and pop songstress has captured an electronic yet pop sound.

Excerpts:

Tell us about your journey and events that made you a singer?
I was always into music, I learned the santoor when I was nine and then I taught myself how to play the guitar. I always wanted to get into singing, I think I was scared as to what other people would think and how their reaction would be. When I was in Oxford, I sort of came to a self-realisation that life is too short and I need to do what I love. I broke out of my cocoon, my shackles and I just took singing up as a career. Imagine waking up to something you just love to do, it’s this feeling that makes me feel very liberated. I am so glad I did what I did.

What was the preparation before reaching the international debut?
Oh! There was a lot of preparation. I gigged in London a lot. I had to go through hours of vocal and performance training. Since I am a sensitive person, I had to gear my mind and become more thick skinned. Getting signed with Universal Music India (UMI), which is a part of Universal Music Group was tough as well. UMI spotted me and then the journey after that is known to all.

What was your family’s reaction when you said you wanted to follow your passion?
It was just a natural progression, my family has always supported me in everything that I have done and wanted to do. Whether it was to start a micro finance company at the age of seventeen- Svatantra, or to be a musician.

They were very excited when I released my new song and were the first ones to hear it along with my new compositions. At the end of the day, they just want me to be happy and want me to work hard and accomplish everything I want to
accomplish.

Tell us more about your second single “Meant to be”?
“Meant to be” is very close to my heart, I actually have a tattoo on my back, I think that says a lot. I have finally found my sound and that feels great. It’s a love song again but with a deeper meaning. Certain things are just meant to be, they don't have a reason. I think this song will turn everything for me and hopefully hit the international arena.

What genre do you like personally?
I personally love the genre, which I am in currently. I also love soft rock, rap, commercial and acoustics. Any acoustic song just touches my heart. All my songs will have an acoustic version for all of you out there who like soulful songs.

You write your own lyrics and compose music; how does it work for you?
I write lyrics based on human emotions, everything is driven by human emotions, usually, about my own experiences, things that have affected me and the way I view the world. Every song has to be authentic to what I feel because you have to sing from deep within your heart. I have my guitar so I write the lyrics and see what melody goes with it. Sometimes I have a melody in my head that I've gotten at 3 am and then I find lyrics to go with it. There is no right way to do it, it’s just an intuitive process and then the song just comes together. When I collaborate with a producer, I have his/her inputs coming in as well. It’s a process that completely depends on the song.

Your dream collaboration?
I would love to collaborate with Zayn Malik. I love his music and his vocals. I love the way he sings and his vibe but my dream collaboration would be with my idol Eminem. Hopefully, in the future sometime, maybe.

What do you plan to do next?
My next single is releasing in November. I am in the studio all the time. “Meant to be” hasn't even lived its life yet, so I hope it will touch the billboards. I want to be in the international arena and my dream is to play at the VMA, EMA, MTV awards. I want to facilitate Indian talent. Since no Indian musician has done it before, I want to be the first one to do that.

Any plans to enter Bollywood?
I feel privileged and honoured because so many people ask me this question. However, I am not passionate about acting, I love singing and I want to make it internationally with my music. I love performing my songs because that comes from my heart. There is no Bollywood for me at all.