Singer, songwriter and performer Eshani embraces goddess energy with her empowering, self-love anthem, ‘Queen Shi_’. Born in India, raised in Dubai and now based in LA, she incorporates her diverse cultural experiences throughout her music, showing her ability to pursue her passion while breaking societal barriers.
Opening up with reverb-soaked sitars and Indian percussion, ‘Queen Shi_’ soon develops into an intense and tribal R&B / pop hybrid. Trying to break the mold of a typical pop singer, Eshani incorporates booming 808 drums with almost imperceptible ethnic backing melodies, using influences from both Western and South Asian cultures.
Explaining further, Eshani states that it is about “owning your true self, the universe, your culture, not settling for anything less and doing “Queen Shit”. An ambitious boss woman buying her own yeezys, Louboutins, being the best of both worlds, standing out, being bold, creating, loving, embracing her true authentic self.”
Growing up in Dubai, Eshani turned to music as an escape. As a country that wasn’t a supportive environment for musicians at the time, she felt like she didn’t fit into the mainstream society that ultimately saw her as a misfit. With influences of Shakira, M.I.A, Britney Spears, Rihanna and Beyonce, Eshani has created a refreshing, soulful sound, using her voice as a powerhouse that muses on emotional and moving experiences.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I started writing my own music in 2016 and released my first single called “Hazy” produced by a Dubai based producer Rayan Bailouni and did my first ever music video as well. I started writing more music and released about 5 to 6 singles in 2017 and dropped by first album of nine songs called W.O.H.(Why Own Her) in 2018 which was really about finding myself and it was an album that highlighted women empowerment which I strongly stand for. I then got the opportunity to be interviewed and featured on the front page of City times/Khaleej times in Dubai. My first two singles “Hazy” and “Babycakes” was aired live on a popular radio station called Virgin Radio DXB Hot 30 and I was interviewed by Kris Fade. I sang live on City 101.6 as well. Moreover, I got signed on a track to an EDM record label called ARMADA music by Armin Van Buuren in collaboration with another artist “Mangal Suvarnan ft. Eshani S – Insanity” and this gave me the opportunity to get interviewed by an EDM radio station in Dubai called DanceFM. Moreover, I performed at the Dubai Jazz Fest and opened for Duran Duran in 2017 which was honestly such a great feeling.
Towards the end of 2018 I moved to Los Angeles, California and decided to study music and further pursue my career in music and I had an amazing time learning, meeting so many artists/creatives, collaborating and performing. I got the opportunity to perform live at LiveHouseHwd in Hollywood which is one of the best stages to perform at and I knew I really had to create and write more music and so I worked on another single called “Better Than You” which I did a music video for in 2020 during the pandemic with a group of amazing creatives and artists and I released this single in 2021 exclusively on VEVO with the support of PREACH Management in Los Angeles, California.
I decided to come back to Dubai due to the pandemic and have been here creating, writing and releasing more music. I reconnected with my producer Rayan Bailouni and I had a much clearer idea of my sound, owning my culture, and who I am as a person/soul and as an Artist. Rayan instantly knew the kind of music I was looking to create and we decided to do a blend of RnB/pop music infused with Indian/Middle-eastern influences.
I released my single “Not Your Typical Brown Girl” which is who I am and what I go by in May of 2021 and I filmed a music video which was shot by 41 lens and the creative concept and design was done by Spinworx, make up by Joanna Sutari. I had recorded my vocals for this single in Los Angeles at studio 81 recorded by Katsuya Sezaki and I once I got back to Dubai I knew that working with Rayan on this track and more would be the right move and vibe and so we recorded and released my single “Not Your Typical Brown Girl” followed by my next single “Pretty Face” which did fairly well on Tik tok, “Better Than You” and “Psych Anxiety” for which I had a lyric music video done and the make up for the photoshoot was done by Deepa and the shot was taken by Dina aka Young Habibti. I am currently working on new single releases and an album.
My roots within my Indian culture and growing up in Dubai I was exposed to different cultures and people, and that made me not relate to just one particular culture and for the longest time I felt the need to fit in and I was quite confused as to where I would belong. I finally felt the need to stand out and not fit in. I am bold and I do not believe in the stereotype of how a brown woman should be. I am an outsider not fitting in to the diversity of Indian people around the world. My single “Not Your Typical Brown Girl” which is the title of my upcoming album as well explains that even though I’m Indian I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of the cultural norms of being Indian. This is a repeating theme in all of my songs and future song releases and something I strongly believe in. One of the expressions I say is “I Don’t fit a culture; I am the Culture”.With each song that I have released so far it is about breaking barriers and breaking out of the social construct of what a brown woman “should” be like. I highlight and stand very strongly for women empowerment and embracing one’s authentic self. Bold, Rebellious and Spicy with a hint of vulnerability.
What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion?
Emotion, thought and energy. What artists communicate and what listeners or the audience perceives is really based on each individual’s expression of self through their art form and that’s the beauty of creating a song or a piece of art. It should invoke anything from a spectrum of feelings.
Who were your top 3 artists last year?
My top three artists last year were Doja Cat, Billie Eilish and Cardi B.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?
When I feel uninspired I try not to force myself to create. I usually take some time off to relax and try other things like adventure related sports or sometimes I even just listen to type beats online and see what melodies I can come up with even if I can’t come up with any lyrics. But I make it a point to do some meditation, go to the beach and take some time to ground myself, I listen to music and discover new artists that I haven’t heard of before.
What are your 2022 projects and goals?
I have an album that I am working on releasing and its called “Not Your Typical Brown Girl ” and I aim to release about 12-15 songs on Spotify, Tik tok, Youtube VEVO and all platforms in 2022. I plan on performing and doing as many shows as possible in and around the US and Dubai and doing music videos as well. To book and perform live at a festival and to collaborate with as many artists as I can.
Favorite movie or TV show?
I have so many and not just one to be honest but to name a few it would be Euphoria, Breaking Bad, American Horror Story, Game of Thrones, Vikings, Never Have I Ever.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
My latest single that is going to be coming out on the 21st of January 2022 is called “Queen Shi_” produced by Rayan Bailouni, Photoshoot by Young Habibti, MUA by Deepa and this single is about how each and every woman out there are being Queens by doing what they love by working hard, believing in themselves when no one else does, facing their fears, being bold, vulnerable, creating, loving, growing and being a divine feminine in every way that they can. This single highlights how women together are so powerful and they can get whatever they want whenever they want whether its a pair of Yeezys, Lou bout-ins etc. I believe each and every one of us are beautiful and I wrote this song with Bailouni as a reminder to know and understand that bringing out your Goddess energy in this world as a woman and loving yourself for who you are and reminding yourself that as women we do so much and every bit of work we put into doing anything we make sure to win and be the best at what we do which is key. Adding elements of sitar with a middle-eastern touch as well into this song which is a Desi-Trap/ RnB pop vibe to highlight strength in culture and embracing yourself as a Queen. I wrote these lyrics when I felt like that is what us women lack sometimes which is really appreciating each other and having each others backs and this anthem is for women everywhere doing Queen Shit all day everyday and being the most loving ambitious best versions of themselves and I want to let them know and appreciate them for doing it all and thats how it came about.
What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?
I would like the music industry to give equal preference to female artists, to support women to succeed and for them to get paid equally for the music and creativity and work they do, would like to see the industry provide equal opportunities to independent female artists from all race, gender and ethnicities.
Can you outline your creative process?
I have different ways that I create and one of them would be where I start writing to type beats online and come up with lyrics and/or melodies depending on what I’m feeling. Once I have that done my producer and I sit and start writing and we finalize on the lyrics and melody to a beat that he creates and we record scratch vocals over it and we usually do this process over 3 sessions and by the third session my vocals, lyrics, harmonies, ideas are ready to be finally recorded. There are times where I go to the studio for my sessions and we sit and I start writing while recording at the same time and surprisingly that has worked out pretty great.
Who inspires your style and aesthetics?
So I’ve taken a little bit here and there adding leopard prints, orange tones, red tones, Gold, black from the artists that inspire me which would be Rihanna, Beyonce, Rosalia, Becky G, a little bit of Cardi B and the Indian jewelry is a part of my culture and its honestly something that I love and wanted to add it to my style and aesthetic to accentuate my look and to add originality.
What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?
The day I got the opportunity to open for Duran Duran and perform my single “Babycakes” live on the same stage as John Legend, Alicia Keys and so many more and I am so proud of it because when I was on that stage I knew and I felt like I belonged and to sing and perform for the first time in my entire life I felt a rush of happiness and a gut feeling of knowing that this is truly my calling.
What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?
Well, anything that an artist feels to be honest. Whether its about heart break, love, betrayal, women empowerment or even if they’re just feeling a vibe. I do find it important to really sing something that has meaning and any type of emotion.
Do you have any regrets?
I truly don’t have a single regret. Everything that was meant to happen was meant to happen. Life is a journey of beautiful lessons good and bad and I’m learning everyday and going with the flow.
What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?
Breathe and be patient. Love yourself, stay calm, work smart and hard, create, write, sing and enjoy the process, enjoy living in the moment because thats all that matters. Focus on yourself and your own growth and goals.
