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- DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 75
Welcome to August Didis!
For our Didis in the GTA, are you coming to our next event on Aug. 12? Local author Sadiya Ansari is releasing her book, In Exile, and we have partnered with her and Kate’s Garden in Markham to host a book release party.
This is a free event but we ask that you RSVP on Eventbrite. The event will include a Q&A between the author and Didihood’s Arti Patel, a reading, as well as time for a mixer afterwards where you can get a copy of the book and get it signed!
Meet the Didi
Were you at our summer social in June in Toronto? If you were, then you’ll recognize this month’s Meet the Didi. Singer-songwriter priyana performed one of her original songs at the event, and we can’t wait to tell you more about her journey in pursuing a career in music.
When did you first realize you had a passion for music?
I started piano lessons when I was three years old and that was my first time really falling in love with music. Whenever we would be away from home for a while the first thing I would do when we stepped in the door was run to the piano. I started singing when I was eight and that’s when my mind was set that this had to be what I do with my life no matter what.
What inspired you to pursue singing and songwriting as a career?
Although I knew at the age of eight that I wanted this to be my career, it wasn’t until I was 12 that I was advised to start songwriting. As soon as I wrote my first song it ignited my love for songwriting and made me even more sure of my decision that I made four years earlier!
Not only are you a singer and songwriter, but you also play multiple instruments. What do you play and do they all feature in your music?
I play piano, guitar, ukulele, a little bit of drums, and of course my voice! They are all definitely featured in my music. Guitar is the main instrument I grab when I feel inspired to write so it ends up being in most of my songs and while I have never personally played drums on my songs, percussion plays such a huge role in my music as well!
You released your debut album little thoughts in 2022. Tell us about that experience.
I released my debut album on my 18th birthday and had an incredible experience making it. I worked with Matt Riches who produced seven out of 11 of the songs and we did it all without ever meeting in person. I recorded the whole thing from my bedroom and even produced the other four songs myself! That album was just me messing around with different genres and really trying to find my sound. It was very exciting writing and recording all these different types of songs from ’80s inspired pop to acoustic folk. It was definitely a necessary process for me to get to the music I’m making now. I’m also extremely fortunate and grateful for my parents who have supported me since (as my mom puts it) my “declaration” at the age of eight.
You performed at Didihood's most recent summer social. Do you have any upcoming performances or singles dropping that we should watch out for?
That event was so much fun and so incredible to perform for and get to know all the empowering women that were there. I just released a single in June called ‘pinky swear’ and I have another single coming out on Aug. 9 called ‘they know it too’ with several more in the pipeline! I have some corporate performances throughout the summer and am working on performing at venues around the city.
What advice do you have for younger Didis with a passion for making music that want to follow a similar path?
Just start! And don’t force yourself to do something that will make you dislike what you’re doing just because you think you’re “supposed to.” There are so many ways to achieve your goals, you just have to start experimenting!
What we’re reading:
What we’re watching / listening to:
Filmmaker Rimsha Minocha’s 2022 film (not so) little india is a story of how the Naaz movie theatre gave birth to the street and community of "Little India" (Gerrard India Bazaar), in Toronto.
Didi Rebecca Ablack’s latest project is the film One Day about an Indo-Caribbean Muslim teenager who daydreams to find her inner confidence. The team behind the film launched a kickstarter to bring it to film festivals.
Upcoming event
Vancouver Didis, if you’re looking to build community and networks as an entrepreneur, creative, or business professional, check out the Summer Social of 2024. This event is also a launch party for the upcoming video series, Personal Platitudes by HIMMAT MEDIA Cultural Catalyst, DJ.
— Nikkjit Gill
Issue 75
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