Latest news with #BerkleeCollegeofMusic
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Singing her truth from India to Boston
At just 21, Indian-born, Boston-based singer-songwriter Asmi Aderay is already emerging as a bold new voice in indie-pop and R&B. Blending raw vulnerability with poetic flair,Asmi's music is an emotional tapestry woven from the threads of love, heartbreak, self-reflection, and empowerment. With each song, she connects deeply with her listeners—those navigating the chaotic beauty of romance and the struggle toward self-worth. Raised in Hyderabad with roots in Kolkata, Asmi's journey began in a household surrounded by music. 'Music has been around me for as long as I can remember,' she shares. 'It began in my household with my family's enthusiasm for different genres, blossomed in school bands, and eventually became my calling.' Now based in Boston, Asmi is honing her craft at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, majoring in Vocal Performance. Her time at Berklee has been pivotal. 'The Vocal Performance curriculum has taught me more about my voice than ever before—not just technically, but emotionally,' she says. Working under the mentorship of Grammy-nominated artist Debo Ray, Asmi has found a mentor who pushed her beyond technical excellence. 'Debo encouraged me to be fearless and to show up fully on stage. She really helped me discover my own distinct sound and presence.' Beyond vocal precision, Asmi has grown into a refined songwriter, using music as a means to translate both personal experiences and collective feelings. Her songwriting process is more catharsis than craft. 'I don't try to force it. I let the feeling build and churn before I pour it out onto the page. It's therapy. Vulnerability is my power, not my weakness,' she says. Her latest single 'Confess to Me' is a testament to that vulnerability. A soulful anthem exploring the agony of unspoken love, the song has resonated with listeners across platforms like YouTube and Spotify. 'It's about being in love with someone who simply can't say it, and the emotional hurricane that creates—hope, anger, yearning. I wanted it to be a plea, a challenge, and a declaration all at once.' Live performance is where Asmi comes alive. From her first electrifying school band performance in Hyderabad—broadcast on national TV—to intimate club sets in Boston, she's felt the power of music to forge connection. 'There's a palpable energy in the room. Watching people respond to my lyrics, that's when it really hit me—this is my purpose.' In addition to singing and writing, Asmi is also passionate about visual storytelling, movies, and literature. She stays connected with her audience through behind-the-scenes content and candid glimpses into her creative process. 'Staying connected with my audience really matters to me. It's not just about the finished song—it's about the journey, the moments in between.' While Asmi is currently building her presence in the U.S., she remains deeply tied to her Indian roots. 'I absolutely see myself as a global artist. I'm inspired by the vibrant indie and R&B-pop scene in India. Whether it's a studio in Mumbai or a stage in New York, I just want to keep making music that connects.' Fans in India have reason to be excited—Asmi plans to sing and write in Hindi in the near future. 'Although English is the language I naturally write in, Hindi is a significant part of my musical heritage. I've trained in Hindustani classical music, and there's so much richness in Hindi lyrics. I'd love to explore that in a way that still feels true to my style.' With her debut single 'Thought of Being in Love' and follow-ups like 'Met Me First' and 'My Version of You', Asmi has already carved out a space for herself. And she's only just getting started. 2025 holds promise of more original releases, cover projects, and live performances aimed at expanding her global reach. Ultimately, Asmi Aderay's music is about more than heartbreak or romance—it's about community and courage. 'If someone listens to my song and says, 'That's exactly how I feel,' then it's all worth it. That connection is the whole thing. That's why I write. That's why I sing.'
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil Jazz Collective brings Carnatic fusion to global jazz stages
When Maria sang, 'how do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?' in the Sound of Music, she was probably talking about Harini Iyer. Her hair is slicked back with a pastel bandana and a flowy shirt. Her look, as easy as Sunday morning, with a vermillion bindi firmly on her forehead. This bindi or pottu, a part of the Tamil Jazz Collective logo, is a nod to her Tamil roots even as jazz has given her wings. Singing as her musical alter ego, Ella Subramaniam, the journey to synthesise this unique Carnatic-jazz sound has been a decade in the making. Harini, a software engineer with a Masters in Engineering Management from the US, , credits her female gurus with her musical metamorphosis. Her mother initially 'pushed her to formally study Carnatic' and guru Akhila Siva is the soul behind her love for her Carnatic sound. Back in 2014 while in the US, Harini collaborated with Krithi Rao, creating the duo Harmonic Flaneurs. The artiste's journey began with performances of Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' at countless open mics. She learnt audio production and spent time furthering her craft at Berklee College of Music in 2018, where her mentor Lisa Thornson observed Harini had a natural predilection for Flamenco music that somehow synced with her Carnatic roots. This journey to Tamil jazz has clearly been long and eventful. Harini explored this unique Tamil-jazz confluence with Ella Fitzgerald's track 'Misty'. She says that it is an exercise in vocal production, where you take any piece of music, and add your mother tongue to it to produces certain tonalities. 'To me singing jazz in English sounded plain, I'm not Ella Fitzgerald. You can only explore that music with empathy, it is not instinctive. I felt a lot more confident and grounded singing in Tamil,' she says. Harini taught at the Nepal Jazz Conservatory, but somehow 'she's a Carnatic singer,' did not quite fit, and neither did she feel a full embrace with only her jazz persona. One had to meet in the middle. Creating a Collective The Tamil Jazz Collective was born during the last few months of 2024, with Sahib Singh and Shylu Ravindran , creative forces behind the fusion band, Jatayu. Sahib Singh says new sounds usually find a mixed reception in India. 'Earlier, when I had performed across South-East Asia, they were far more accepting of our experiments, than the Indian audiences. Off late, we find more crowds who come with an open mind, and enjoy the music even if they don't understand the language.' With an original Tamil version of 'Take Five' by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, with the original lyrics penned by Brubeck's wife Lola and performed by Carmen McRae in 1961, the collective has received mixed reviews online. Purists are calling out their fusion music, while others cannot wait to attend a concert, collaborate or even host them in Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz, soul and the blues. Performing in Kerala, Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Goa, Harini, Sahib and Shylu, plan to expand the collective with an eclectic group of musicians, possibly adding a 'string section, double bass, horn section, saxophone, and ultimately a full orchestra, when the budgets accommodate multiple collaborators,' adds Sahib optimistically. Currently Harini translates English lyrics of jazz songs into Tamil. However, 'just translation doesn't work sometimes because the metaphors and cultural context are different,' explains Harini. The collective has unique musical arrangements that even allow impromptu collaborations at various venues and cities. Harini's musicology encompasses classics like 'Summertime' , 'All of Me' and 'It Could Happen to You' besides original compositions. As the collective moves forward, it has ambitions to, make Chennai a hub for cross-cultural collaboration, says Sahib, while Harini is in Berlin at the moment to study filming musical compositions, while also performing with multiple ensembles at various music venues across the city (Community Chai, Music Pool Berlin and Sofar Sounds Berlin). The trio is currently booked for performances across India through 2025, and is keen on releasing their music on streaming platforms this year.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Aditi Iyer releases powerful new song, ‘Under the Roses'
'Under the Roses felt satisfyingly sinister, like something bad was about to happen.' That is how 20-year-old singer-songwriter Aditi Iyer describes the emotional undercurrent of her latest track. Inspired by the Latin phrase sub rosa, meaning 'something secretive under the surface', the song captures a perfect façade. 'We all feel ashamed of ourselves sometimes,' she says. 'We all may feel these emotions when we admit truths about ourselves we do not like.' With 'Under the Roses', Aditi composed an entire track on her own for the first time and shattered long-held insecurities about her abilities. 'In the past, I needed help or guidance to compose,' she admits. 'But I had just taken this amazing songwriting class at Berklee that opened my mind and made me feel more confident as a musician.' Aditi began composing at 10 and released her debut four-track EP Dollhouse at 17, before enrolling at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA, to refine her craft. The confidence she gained there made her write more fearlessly, she shares. 'I would have never included a swear word before. I was guilty of trying to be a 'perfect' artiste and person when I am not.' The track, produced with Los Angeles-based songwriter and producer Ryan Benyo, takes on a dramatic, orchestral quality with strings and cinematic elements — a musical shift indicating her growing interest in film scores and storytelling. Over the years, Aditi has grown as a songwriter and a singer. Dollhouse focused on love and relationships — topics she felt expected to write about, even if they did not always reflect her experiences. With 'The Queen', she began exploring emotions such as anxiety and self-doubt, and by the time she wrote 'Under the Roses', she felt more comfortable expressing those feelings in her lyrics and music. Vocally, too, she has come a long way — gaining better technique, more control, and a stronger sound. 'Under the Roses is my most honest and confident work yet.' Entering her senior year at Berklee College of Music, Aditi credits the college with transforming her songwriting and stage presence. 'Earlier, I felt awkward on stage; like I could trust my voice to be emotive but not my face or body,' she says. Now, she finds performance liberating. 'I feel I can connect on a deeper level to the messages of the songs I am singing.' Balancing opera and pop While Aditi continues as a pop artiste, opera remains a personal and permanent part of her musical identity. Trained in Western classical music, she credits much of her vocal foundation to her teacher, the late Situ Singh Buehler, whose recent passing she is still coming to terms with. 'She taught me everything I know,' says Aditi, who is committed to carrying forward her legacy. Aditi is also excited about exploring new genres. At Berklee, she recently discovered a love for musical theatre — a style already influencing her songwriting, with tracks like 'Some Call It Jealousy' and 'Under the Roses' drawing comparisons to stage ballads. Rock 'n' roll, too, is on her radar. 'It makes me feel so alive,' she says, eager to experiment with its raw energy and attitude. When asked what she hopes her music stands for, Aditi says, 'I hope people feel deeply when they hear it, whether it makes them laugh, cry, or dance. I want my music to be an emotional pocket where people can be the version of themselves they want to be.' She adds, 'I believe music should be sincere rather than blindly formulaic. You should be able to tell the artiste had honest intent behind it, whether lighthearted or serious. I hope my music can be remembered like that.'
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sussanne Khan breaks her silence on co-parenting with ex-husband Hrithik Roshan. Here's what she said
Actor Hrithik Roshan and interior designer Sussanne Khan ended their 14-year marriage in 2014, but despite the split, they've maintained a cordial relationship. Now, Sussanne has shared that they prioritised co-parenting their children, ensuring a happy dynamic for their kids' sake. Also read: Hrithik Roshan writes beautiful note for ex-wife Sussanne Khan: 'I remember 20 years ago…' Sussanne spoke about her personal life and raising sons with her former husband, Hrithik, during a session at Reality Conclave & Awards 2025. 'Our children are very artistic. Both my boys are artistically inclined to another level. So, I think the support of my family and of course Hrithik as my co-parent is a very big thing to us. I am feeling very grateful and very blessed. I am feeling very grateful and very blessed,' Sussanne said while appreciating Hrithik for always cheering for her. During the session, she also spoke about how her sons are inclined towards creative art. She said, "Hridaan is an artist since 5 years old. He has got inborn flair for my older son is into music. He is a budding musician. He is studying at Berklee College of Music. Art and culture and heritage are what we as Indians are and what we infuse into our children, no matter what our relationship is with our spouses'. Hrithik and Sussanne tied the knot in 2000 after dating for four years. They share two sons, Hrehaan and Hridaan Roshan. While they separated 11 years ago in 2014, they still remain good friends. Both Sussanne and Hrithik have moved on in their lives. Sussanne is now dating Arslan Goni, while Hrithik is in a relationship with Saba Azad. The four of them are often seen partying together and sharing photos on social media. They even went on a vacation together, ringing in the New Year in Dubai. In an interview with Yuvaa, Hrithik's father and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan opened up about their divorce. He said, 'Whatever happened was between the couple. For me, Sussanne is still Sussanne. They were in love, they had a misunderstanding—that is for them to resolve. As for us, she came into our house as family, and she still remains a member of the family."
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Vinyl edition of Laufey's Night At The Symphoney: Hollywood Bowl hits audio perfection
RELEASED on April 13 as a Record Store Day exclusive, the vinyl edition of A Night At The Symphony: Hollywood Bowl is quite simply astounding. Perfectly mastered, it brings to life the grand settings of the LA Philharmonic in splendid technicolour. Those who are already fans of Laufey will know precisely what they are getting with the jazz chanteuse bringing back a sound seemingly lost to time. This is jazz from the turn of the previous century, no less. Sang in some smoky speakeasy dressed in strings of pearls, these are songs designed to transport the listener into another time and space. Although not advertised as an audiophile recording, the tell tale sign is in the fact that this album is presented on double 45rpm vinyl, which is usually a guarantee of deep, wider sound staging. And it deliver this in spades allowing listeners to take in the epic sound of the LA Philharmonic. But never once does the orchestra sound overwhelming, allowing the star of the show to shine with her delicate, soaring vocals. This is best exemplified from her Grammy-winning tune Bewitched, which sound simply exquisite backed by a full string section. Another stand out moment is I Wish You Love where the Finnish songstress is just in impeccable form taking the song to audio nirvana. The sound that emanates from the speakers when the orchestra kicks in quite simply breathtaking. The best thing about this special vinyl edition is that it captures the vibe of a truly special concert, with Laufey admitting that this was a bucket list moment. The concertgoers enthusiastic response is there mainly at the end of the songs and is never intrusive, giving the artiste the space and stage to just belt it out. The Berklee College of Music graduate has achieved incredible success with a sound that is a complete throwback. It works because it is authentic and the singer's passion and joy for the art form is obvious. This live album captures that perfectly. Those who missed Laufey's concert in Kuala Lumpur last year would do well to grab a copy is as this as close to the real thing one can get. These are retailing upwards of RM250 and prices are set to rise given that this is a limited Record Store Day special. A worthy investment for those who want an audiophile experience of Laufey. A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl is released via AWAL Recordings.
