FEATURE:
Spotlight
Asha Gold
_________
A magnificent talent…
who everyone should know, I wanted to highlight Asha Gold. The London artist’s latest single, Cheap Wine, is terrific. There is a blend of Neo Soul and R&B. Mixing genres together but creating her own sound and sensation, this is an artist who has the talent and promise to remains in the industry for many years to come. I will get to some interviews from last year – as I could not find too many from this one – that gives you more of a picture about Asha Gold. I want to start with a track from 2021. Gold, like many artists, started to put together her first moves during the pandemic. Even if her debut single was released prior to that, when she was starting to develop and grow, that was the time the pandemic struck. An impossible time for a young artist trying to establish their name. I will start with a 2021 interview with Haste Magazine. They chatted with Gold around the time of the release of her single, Exes. They highlighted an amazing artist navigating the music industry as a woman of colour:
“The apple of tastemakers eyes, London’s Asha Gold is making her mark on the UK music industry with her silky smooth melodies and catchy contemporary beats. Named as one of BBC Asian Network’s Future Sounds 2021, Asha has been utilising her classical music background while championing her newer knowledge of the industry to produce her instantly recognisable tracks. We caught up with the rising star to discuss her latest single ‘Exes‘, and how she has, and continues to navigate the predominately white, male industry as a woman of colour.
While Asha’s music today combines a number of different sounds and sub-genres, her earliest musical memories lie in a different genre. From a young age Asha was surrounded by classical music and was encouraged to learn a number of instruments and delve further into it’s many avenues. She went on to explain to us a bit about her musical background and how it has impacted her as a musician today.
‘I started to learn piano at a really young age. That was my first experience of learning a skill and technique, and I later started signing and drums. And then I used to perform in groups and orchestras. That’s where I found my love of performing, at the end of a concert or a show that kind of post-performance high. It was only after I left school that I turned to writing and storytelling. I’m grateful for the classical background because it gave me the chance to understand the music, not just the lyrics but also the music behind a song. And discipline which is definitely important as an artist.‘
While many female artists like Asha have grown up surrounded by music, many womxn are made to feel out of place behind the musical scenes. In a predominantly white, male industry, womxn (and specifically womxn marginalised by gender or race) find it hard to solidify their space within the scene. We asked Asha if she has found many obstacles within this space and how she has overcome them.
‘Definitely, especially as a female artist when you are often in a room with male producers, or generally male dominated environments. What I love about having an orchestral background is that I feel like I can speak with more authority and a bit more confidence in those situations. Because I know what’s going on and I can back myself. I can understand a lot of the technical jargon. I’d love to continue honing those skills and learning something like guitar. I think the more self-sufficient you are as a female creative, the better.
People obviously look at me and know I’m an Anglo-Indian artist and that’s an important part of my artist project. But people sometimes try to project a certain type of marketable view – as in ‘play this up’, ‘do this’, ‘use it to play up your USP’. I’ve been asked so many times ‘what’s your USP?’, and I’m just not sure that white artists get asked the same question. There are a lot of white artists that are brilliant but occupy similar spaces, have similar sounds and collab with the same people. So that question raised a lot of doubt in me. But I realised that’s such a narrow question because in my eyes there’s lots of things that make every artist unique.
Now it’s more just increasing representation. I think things can be quite black and white without necessarily honing in on what is across that whole spectrum. It’s just important for me to exist in this space and be authentic to myself and to my relationship with my Indian heritage.’
While Asha’s music has obvious hints of R&B, her tracks are instantly recognisable as her own because of her mixes of different genres and sounds. So to confine Asha’s sound to just one genre or label would cut out so much of the work she has put in to create such unique work. So we asked her to sum up what her music means to her.
‘I would describe it as colourful. I’m very influenced by R&B and a lot of that genre can be quite indulgent. I’m not ashamed to bring in those pop influences and really mash all those kind of sounds. I love whacky percussion, I don’t want to resort to a snare you’ve heard a million times. So I think choosing left-field, slightly unique sounds, but then maybe a more familiar pop melody is really important in creating my sound’”.
I discovered Asha Gold earlier this year. I was not aware of her musical background. Someone who has come from a more Classic background into R&B, Pop Sugar spoke to her at the start of 2022 about that transition, in addition to why she is filming a content series with Pizza Express:
“POPSUGAR: Tell us a bit about how you got started in music.
Asha Gold: I actually came from a classical background in terms of my music. My main instruments were piano, percussion, and singing, but more so musical theatre as opposed to anything pop or R&B or contemporary. I spent all my time in school really playing in swing bands and orchestras, and then, I left school, and I realised that, actually, I'd never really explored the songwriting/storytelling part of music.
I started playing around with writing, and I really enjoyed it, but obviously, having not grown up trying to do that, I had no connections in the industry. It was a lot of emailing and cold-calling anybody that seemed relevant to what I was trying to do. Going for coffees and meeting up with my brother's girlfriend's cousin's boyfriend — anything like that, which I'm sure is the same for a lot of people.
PS: How did you get into classical music?
AG: It was my mum who really pushed me to start an instrument when I was quite young, I think because it teaches you a lot discipline and independence, and you have to really persevere when you're trying to nail a piece. I found piano quite lonely, because you're usually just practicing for exam, doing the exam, and repeating, and that's why I started drumming and doing percussion, because then I could play with other people. I really just fell in love with live music and live performance. Even though it's nothing like the live stuff that I do now, it's the exact same feeling [that you get] after a concert or after you've finished a symphony — there's a real postperformance buzz. Actually, I've recently rejoined an orchestra, because I was really missing it!
PHOTO CREDIT: James Robinson
PS: That sounds pretty impressive! How would you describe the music that you create now?
AG: I would describe it as colourful R&B with pop influence. I think a lot of the melody and vocal is quite pop, but I also love a bit of left-field production and wacky R&B.
PS: Along with music, you've also been working with PizzaExpress on its new Behind the Base series. What can you tell us about it?
AG: We recorded an episode of Behind the Base for Veganuary, and we made one of their vegan pepperoni pizzas. It's an amazing series because it highlights a mix of up-and-coming and already established artists. I've been watching the episodes, and it's so nice to get to know the artists in an informal environment. The series is in partnership with Nordoff Robbins, which is an incredible music therapy charity, and each episode takes place in the live Pizza Express space.
PS: Speaking of music therapy, how important has music been for your mental health in the past 12 months?
AG: It's a bit of a paradox because, on the one hand, the process of becoming an artist and trying to grow I found has taken a toll on my mental health. It's been taxing because of all the lockdowns and this massive emphasis on social media and TikTok and the constant, rapid creation of content.
I think trying to become a musician is tough, but at the same time, the reward is what keeps you going and what balances it out. Things like listening to a demo that I've created or having a brilliant session with a producer — they can be so cathartic and such a release, and they give you that confidence boost, like, "Yeah, I can write these songs." It's been massively important for my mental health to keep something creative going in and amongst all of the endless strategy and social content. The job description of a musician is completely different now.
Sometimes I wish I was born 20 years ago, and I was in the Adele era of walking into a bar and finding the next biggest thing, and then that being it. I'm not antisocial, but I think it's just about finding a way to make it work for you and doing something that's not going to suck the life out of you while you're doing it. It's about being authentic on those platforms as well”.
I like Fred Perry’s quickfire interview style. We get to learn more about Asha Gold here. Name-checking Beyoncé as a hero might mean (let’s hope) that the two get to work together one day. Let’s see how things work out in that regard! At the moment, there is no denying that Gold is a name to look out for:
“Describe your style in three words?
Confident, comfortable, changeable.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I went to see Barney Artist on my own at Oslo in Hackney - the solidarity and positivity in that room was magical - I think London lacks that kind of energy sometimes. Barney was hilarious, dynamic, and open. Loyle Carner saw me with my phone out and thought I was taking a picture of him though, that was quite awkward.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Anderson Paak and The Free Nationals and Rosalía - they own the stage as soon as they step onto it.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
I spent years at school immersed in classical music playing percussion in orchestras, which demanded huge discipline and enabled me to develop my musicianship further than I ever could have imagined. To bring a classical symphony to life requires a delicate balance of precision, concentration, emotion and freedom.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Frida Kahlo. I study Spanish at uni, but I’d be a Frida fanatic even if I didn’t. In a conservative society, she broke all the rules, and she channelled the physical and psychological trauma that punctuated her life into her art.
Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire - it’s my local so the dream is to play there one day.
Your greatest hero or heroine in music?
Beyoncé. She. Is. Everything.
19-year-old Londoner, Asha Gold is a self-driven R'n'B influenced artist whose debut 'Too Good' emerged in late 2019 to critical acclaim from the like of Clash and Earmilk with its personal take on the genre.
The first track you played on repeat?
'Survivor' by Destiny’s Child
Because I had a toothbrush when I was little that played it every time I brushed my teeth.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Where is the Love?' - Black Eyed Peas
That song is so poignant it could have been written yesterday.
One record you would keep forever?
'Lemonade', Beyoncé”.
There is a beautiful interview from October last year that I want to end with. In December 2022, Asha Gold released her debut E.P., Maybe This Is Me Growing Up. Here is hoping that we get another album soon (or an album). In a brilliant FAULT interview – together with a stunning set of photos –, Gold was asked about making music during the pandemic and, at such a tough time, being recognised and receiving industry accolades:
“During the pandemic, Asha Gold releases many singles which catapulted her to being featured on the BBC network as “Future Sound of 2021”.
During a consistent summer filled with Festivals, Asha made her appearance on BBC Music Introducing at Glastonbury Festival 2022. As of September her new single “One of Kind” produced by Mitch Jones embodies self-love, being comfortable and confident on your own futher normalising that it’s ok to be with oneself.
As we currently bask in the religious celebration “Festival of Lights” joy, prosperity happiness and a triumph of good over evil, this Diwali – we’d like to highlight the Asian designers alongside the talent that is Asha Gold.
One of a kind is a track for setting boundaries and being by oneself are you an introvert? And what made you comfortable with spending time with yourself?
I wouldn’t say that I’m an introvert – I love socialising and I’m quite a chatty person, but I also definitely need me-time. I need at least one night a week just enjoying my own company, taking time over cooking a meal and winding down. “One of a Kind” encapsulates how I feel when I’m feeling myself and my most confidence. It’s the kind of song you can put in your headphones and walk down the street feeling like you can conquer the world.
PHOTO CREDIT: Marcelle Johnson
When and where was the first time you discovered your first Rnb artist, who was it and what was the song?
I think I started discovering a love for RnB music by listening to the radio on the way to school. Whenever my Mum drove me in we would listen to Capital FM, so I’d always know the mainstream hits word for word. I vividly remember hearing Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” on the radio, as well as Jordin Sparks / Chris Brown’s “No Air”. I was also an avid X Factor fan – I rarely missed a Saturday night episode when I was young and had X Factor pyjamas! I remember being enchanted by singers like Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke and wanting to belt out ballads like they did.
Setting your decision in stone to become a singer-songwriter, how did your parents respond?
I first started my artist project when I left school and took a gap year, and I had never felt so high on life as those months of writing at the piano and making demos, getting coffees with whoever responded to my emails and DMs, singing at open mic nights and attending gigs solo to meet other musicians. Choosing a university in London was a big decision and it definitely reassured my parents that I would be pursuing music alongside a degree. I definitely considered pausing my studies, but I think uni gave me a lot of rich experiences that I could write about, and took the pressure off “making it” as an artist immediately. My parents have become more and more supportive over the past 3 years, as they see my hard work start to pay off and they witness how happy even the small wins can make me.
PHOTO CREDIT: Marcelle Johnson
You’ve released quite a few singles, Do you have a structured process for writing music or do you tend to let it flow?
Every studio session is different, but usually it’s the good songs that have come the most naturally or easily. I like to do everything in the room with the collaborator I’m with, so we’ll start with some chords, a sample, or a beat, and then I’ll brainstorm melodies and lyrics. I always voice note the first couple minutes because often the best melodies come to you straight away and then you can’t remember them if you don’t record them!
With many singles out on music platforms, when do you plan to release an album or EP , who do you plan on collaborating with?
My EP is coming out on December 2nd! It will encompass all the singles from this year, plus a couple of new, unheard tracks. It’s a body of work I’m really proud of and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
What fuels your passion as a singer songwriter?
It comes down to two main things: number one – my love for creating inventive, honest music that connects with listeners, and number two – my hope that someday I can influence positive change using my music and the platform I will have built by then. When I was at school and uni I played percussion / drums in orchestras and jazz bands, and nothing would compare to that nervous excitement when the orchestra plays that very first chord of the piece, and then that feeling of euphoria at the end of a concert. That post-performance buzz that I get from my gigs now is similar, and there’s really nothing like it.
PHOTO CREDIT: Marcelle Johnson
Being that you’re half British and half Asian how would you say that both cultures have shaped who you are as a person?
Being Anglo-Indian has meant my perception of my own identity has shifted and changed throughout my whole life through the process of figuring out what both aspects mean to me. At times I’ve felt disconnected to my Indian heritage, embarrassed even, and for most of my school years I just wanted to be white and blonde and that’s the honest truth. Music has helped me reconnect with this side of my identity, but I’m wary of industry folks who see my heritage as a point of ‘marketing’ – that feels inauthentic to me. I want to show other young girls with Asian heritage that you can become a popstar, even if there aren’t loads on the radio to listen to just yet. But I also want to be regarded as a great musician and performer, rather than labelled as “London’s Rising Asian RnB Pop Songstress”, because there are many of us”.
I think that the rest of this year and next will be exciting times for Asha Gold. With a string of distinct and incredible singles, together with an E.P., she has crafted this blossoming body of work that announces her as a major talent. Rather than label her and condemn having her compared to others or buried in a crowd, acknowledging Asha Gold as a singular artist with her own voice is the best approach. It will be exciting and intriguing to see what comes next from…
THIS wonderful artist.
___________
Follow Asha Gold
