Mumbai-bred and Toronto-based versatile singer-songwriter Achanté spoke with us about her growing music discography, particularly the new additions ‘I Am The Sun’ and ‘Rickshaw Ride To Nowhere,’ which forge the crux of her debut EP ‘Journey to the Centre of the Hearth.’
Musician Chantelle Menezes, who thrives under the alias Achanté, introspects human existence in her new single ‘I Am The Sun.’ She utilizes the might of the sun as an analogy to underscore how this celestial body can be a source of healing as well as a seed of devastation.
Conjured with deep bass rumblings, the songstress weaves in a melancholic production, rooted in a neo-soul/experimental soundscape. Known for her dynamic vocal range, Achanté delivers a powerful performance, echoing the deeply reflective lyrics and probing into the dual essence that is possessed by us. Via this electronica composition, the artist invites listeners to reflect on their many experiences to foster change and eventually prosper.
“I’m honestly over the moon, or should I say sun? with how the song and music video turned out. In terms of the song itself, it’s equal parts ethereal and mysterious, as well as relatable and groovy, just the way I wanted it to sound,” says Achanté.
“What I want people to take from the song is the message that my (and everyone’s) higher self gives them in those moments of stillness when they’re really listening – don’t run away from who you are. Don’t lessen yourself. Be exactly who you are. Relish your strength AND softness. We’re reflections of the sun – we have the power to heal and to burn.”
A week after the release of this single, Achanté dropped her debut EP ‘Journey to the Centre of the Hearth,’ comprised of previous outings ‘Crush On You,’ ‘Grown Up Kids,’ and ‘Cheeni Kum.’ In addition to
‘I Am The Sun,’ this five-track EP also features a mesmerizing fusion ballad ‘Rickshaw Ride To Nowhere’ that concludes the EP.
Squeezing in works from producer T3knikal, this nearly three-minute tune is interwoven with smooth Carnatic vocal arrangements, which are layered over an upbeat jazzy score pinched with hip-hop flows. Folks seasoned with riding an autorickshaw will notice the audible meter chime at the 45-second mark, as an ode to its title.
Achanté traced the roots and makings of ‘Rickshaw Ride To Nowhere’ as a happenstance encounter with self-described “sound chemist” Saphi Subendran aka T3knical at a boot camp for producers hosted by Beatcave in Canada and a random yet enlightening autorickshaw ride in India.
Unraveling this interaction, she conveyed, “I asked Saphi to show me some of the beats he had open on his laptop. I was intrigued by his description of his style and influences – very in line with the direction I myself wanted to explore – that unique, tasteful blend of East meets West.”
Predominantly singing in English while also dabbling in Hindi, French, Telugu, and Portuguese (‘Saudade‘ with teté), Achanté has dotted her career with global sounds and a wide range of influences. She declared, “I’ve always loved Carnatic music, Ghazals, Hindustani classical. And would sing Sargam and Alaaps in private, but was always intimidated by ‘it’s not perfect’ and ‘I haven’t professionally trained.’ However, I’m starting to realize, that we don’t all have to be maestros and Ustads to express music in our own unique way.”
“And that’s kind of how I wrote the track – improvising with the Sargam on top of the beat! The name came when I was visiting Mumbai and in a rickshaw and I realized – long, winding rickshaw rides have always been my fondest memory and something I really miss in Canada and that’s how the name happened,” she concluded.
Song Credits –
Written and Performed by Achanté (Chantelle Menezes)
Produced by Elan Eisenstadt
Mixed and mastered by Clyde Rodrigues
Director, Special FX and Colorist: Y2A3 Productions
Wardrobe: Stuti Srivastava and Achanté
Makeup & Hair: Achanté
Find Achanté on : Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Website
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