Sound Off: Ananya Birla Ft Sean Kingston!

 

I’m sure by now you have heard Ananya Birla song she recorded with Sean Kingston, who I’ve always loved and now I have a new love, Ananya! Their song ‘Day Goes By’ is so catchy, and they have such fun natural chemistry!  In the music video it’s obvious that they are having fun (I’m sure working hard) but there definitely not trying to force their chemistry, it’s just there!

We had a blast with Ananya at our photo shoot in the Hollywood Hills! We had a chance to ask her our exclusive question and find out more about her music (solo and with Sean Kingston), her personal style, and what inspires her to be creative!

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What is the story behind your latest track “Day Goes By” with Sean Kingston?

I met Sean back in 2018 – he was touring India and I opened for his show in Goa. We really got along – he’s so genuine and totally laid back – and we said we would jam together when I was next in LA. I was super excited so fast-tracked my next trip and a month later we were in the studio. There was an awesome vibe, we were on the same wavelength from the start and everything came together super quickly. The result is Day Goes By!
The track is basically our attempt to distil that intoxicating feeling of mutual attraction; the kind from the really early days of a relationship. It’s fun, sexy – definitely something to dance to. It’s got a really nice reggae pop vibe.

What inspires you to be an artist and write your own songs?

I always played and loved music, but for the longest time I guess I stifled the artist within me, it was my sweet secret. I ploughed on with my studies, went to university, started my own business, tried to push music to the back of my mind. I lacked confidence, I guess. It took getting pretty low to realise just how much I was denying myself. I was in a pretty rough place when I started writing and performing my own stuff again, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ve figured out that I can’t not be a musician – I need that way of expressing myself.

I’m totally obsessed with what I do. I always struggled to fit in and am quite shy, but music gives me this amazing way of expressing myself. It is incredibly cathartic. My music is all inspired by personal experiences and emotions – and I really hope people relate to those when they hear it.

If you could work with any artist – who would it be?

Oh My God! Working with Eminem is a dream.  There are so many though – Logic, Khalid, Post Malone, Zayn…
I’m really open when it comes to collaborations, whether it is upcoming artists from India (where there is some amazing talent at the moment) or people I link up with when I’m in the US or UK. I want to do a lot more over the next few months. I love working with other artists, if the connection is good, it really takes a song to that next level. It’s an amazing learning experience as well. I’ve grown a lot as an artist through collaborations.

What city was your favorite to perform in? Why?
For me it’s about the vibe of the crowd, not the location. Every gig feels totally unique.

Karaoke Anthem?
Zombie by The Cranberries

Favorite Song?
Too many ! At the moment, I haven’t been able to get Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max out my head.

Favorite Movie?
I love Forest Gump! Although movies are great, I’m obsessed with true-crime documentaries.
 
Favorite snack?
Hummus and Peanut Butter!

TV addiction?
I just watched The Great Hack which was super interesting.

Dream concert ticket (any band, any decade)?

The Beatles at London Palladium

Three people—dead or alive, real or fictional—that you’d like to invite to dinner?
Kurt Cobain, Gandhi, Michelle Obama

Do you have a party trick?
I try to get out of them! I am an expert at leaving early!

Tell us a secret?
I have an unhealthy obsession with collecting sneakers

What does popular mean to you?
Popular means owning your voice – and using it wisely and authentically.

Can you tell us about any shows or project you have coming up?
I am going to be touring my debut EP, Fingerprint along with Day Goes By for the next few months – with live dates planned for India, the States and the UK. Stay tuned.