“I was born in a small town in Assam called Doom Dooma, but I didn’t stay there long. My dad’s job kept us moving, so I grew up across Bombay, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and later went to college in Bangalore. Honestly, I feel like I am from everywhere.
Growing up in so many cities shaped who I am. I made friends from all kinds of backgrounds, saw different cultures, and slowly started figuring out where I stand in the world. Moving constantly was not always easy though. I often had to start over, make new friends, and say goodbye to old ones. But it brought me really close to my mom, and that’s something I will always be grateful for.
From a young age, I knew I didn’t want a 9 to 5 kind of life. I studied Psychology, English Literature, and Journalism at Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, but I spent most of my energy outside the classroom. I loved performing, and I realized early on that I belonged on stage—not behind a desk.
Music has always been a part of my life, but it was not my first dream. I wanted to dance, act, model—maybe all of it. My mom is a trained classical singer and used to sing for All India Radio, Assam. My dad plays the guitar and harmonium. So, music was always around. I just didn’t realize how much it meant to me until later.
One of my earliest memories is singing ‘Aao Na’ with my mom when I was seven. I was always a little shy to sing in front of her because she is so good. But she always encouraged me. I picked up the guitar from my older brother when I was about 12—it looked cool—and that decision changed my life.
I did not take music seriously at first. I even joined a ‘Meet Hannah Montana’ contest as a kid and sang ‘Unfaithful’ by Rihanna. I didn’t win, but looking back, I think the love for singing was always quietly there.
Dance took the front seat for a long time. I trained seriously, especially during my years in Delhi. Back then, I dreamed of moving to New York to dance professionally. Music was more of a background thing.
I never studied music in school, but a few years ago, I started learning Hindustani classical music. It helped me a lot—not just with singing but also finding a sense of peace. Practice now feels like therapy. Like the gym, but for my soul.
My songwriting journey began during the pandemic. My first song was a funny little rap titled Quarantine Day, which I even shot a music video for at home. Since then, I have written a lot more—mostly acoustic stuff at first because I was teaching myself how to produce music on my own.
I don’t follow a fixed formula while writing. Sometimes the lyrics come first, sometimes the melody. But it always starts with a feeling. If I really have something to say, the song just kind of flows.
My first live show was in 2018 at Cafe Felix in Bangalore. I didn’t even know what indie music meant back then. I played some Prateek Kuhad songs and a few others. I was nervous, but a couple of friends showed up and made me feel okay.
Hyderabad has been really kind to me. Since I started my indie journey here, people have been welcoming and supportive. I even played in Delhi last year during my Sofar tour. The crowd didn’t know who was performing, but the vibe was great.
Outside of music, I keep life pretty simple. I go to the gym, take naps with my dog, watch Netflix, eat junk food, and sometimes hang out with friends. That’s my ideal day, honestly.
When I am feeling low emotionally, I just take a break. I give myself space to rest, cry, or just be quiet. If those emotions turn into a song, great. If not, I let them be.
One of the biggest challenges I face now is figuring out the direction I’m heading towards—and how. The music world can be tricky, and I have learned the hard way who to trust and who not to. There was a time I burned out because I was working with the wrong people. But it taught me a lot.
If I could tell young artists one thing, it would be, “Don’t just think about doing something, go do it.” Even if it’s messy. Even if you fail.
Five years from now, I hope to be touring the world, collaborating with artists across the globe, and having my music reach homes I have never even been to. I dream big, but I also like to keep some things close to my chest, so I will keep my dream collabs a secret for now.
People often ask if there is something they don’t know about me. And I think if you listen to my lyrics, you probably already do. I write about my life, my feelings, my mess. I am an open book—you just have to listen.”
- Priyanka Nath, Artist