Always True

I penned this song after living in New York City for six years.  I had noted the city's vibrant tapestry, where each day unfolded like a symphony of sights, sounds, and aspirations, pulsating with electric intensity, often juxtaposed with the demanding pace and daily grind, occasionally leaving me feeling depleted. This was the truth of my experience. It was from this sentiment that the song's lyrics flowed:

“step into the world
shiny broken pearls
can’t deny the view
this was always true 

first a land of gold
blackened by the coal
filtered to a brew
this was a always true 

broken by the test
coming home to rest
I could lay with you
this was always true 

this was always true
this was always true
this was always true
this was always true”

Amidst the city’s brilliant chaos, the constant was returning home to the warm embrace of a loving partner, to spend the remaining hours in moments of respite until a new day dawned. In her presence, amidst the city's intensity, time seemed to suspend, allowing us to revel in the simple beauty of togetherness, embracing the present and our shared dreams.  It gave us moments to reset, recharge, and acknowledging the profound contrast between the city’s pulsating energy and the calm refuge of love and companionship. This too, then, was a beautiful truth of my experience.

Musically, for years I grappled with a tension between my Indian classical singing style, and my use of English as my primary vernacular. Although English came more naturally for songwriting, I poured my effort into writing in Hindi, convinced it better complemented my vocal technique. Despite my proficiency in Hindi, crafting meaningful lyrics in the language proved challenging and time-consuming, sometimes limiting the scope of my expression. I longed to write in English but convinced myself it wouldn't mesh with my music without feeling awkward or unnatural.

I was stuck.

Then, with time came clarity, and I realized this conflict was self-imposed. I resolved to break free, choosing to express myself in English while preserving the essence of Indian classical music I hold dear.

Inspired by modern pop icons like Imogen Heap and Bon Iver, who artfully blend auto-tune and electronic music into beautifully layered masterpieces, I set out to experiment weaving Indian classical elements into the distinctive electronic tonality of such albums, crafting a natural harmonious intersection of what felt like two perpendicular paths.  After searching for the right musical tools, I came upon the Little Alterboy plug-in by Soundtoys, which became the basis of this track. This plugin allows users to dramatically change the pitch and formant (voice character) of audio signals, enabling creative vocal effects and transformations. Essentially, by inputting a recording into the plugin, I could manipulate its pitches using a piano keyboard, altering the original tune to match the notes I played.

To craft this track, I began by composing and recording the main melody. I then utilized the Little AlterBoy plugin, reshaping it with my keyboard to simulate the style of an Indian harmonium player, incorporating intricate embellishments reminiscent of traditional Indian musical ornamentation.  I then duplicated the track multiple times and routed each copy through the plugin and played distinct supporting harmonies on each track, each infused with its own Indian classical nuances. To enrich the arrangement, I surrounded it with lush chords using the Antares Vocoder plugin, adding depth and texture.

The composition begins with an alaap-style section—unmetered and improvisational, gently exploring the raga's notes to set an emotional landscape, free from the constraints of rhythm. This serves as an introspective prelude to the vibrant second part, where the melody is supported by a simple pop beat, complemented by the warmth of bass and tenor synths, and the distinct color of a synthesized sitar.

As the track unfolds, a string section is introduced, gradually building intensity to a peak, then transitioning to a muted outro. Here, a solo voice, again transformed by the Little AlterBoy plugin, offers a final, synthesized reflection, marrying the energy of the composition's earlier sections with its concluding serenity. In totality, this layering and blending of elements showcase a seamless integration of Indian classical motifs with contemporary soundscapes.

In creating the visual companion to this track, I navigated through an intricate maze of digital tools, each step a deliberate choice towards the final product.  I had envisioned scenes of a people walking through various metropolises, some traditional, others futuristic with touches of South Asian architecture gracing the skyline. I also imagined serene moments at home with one’s partner, illuminated by the metropolis's glow in the panoramic backdrop to serve as a metaphor for dreams and aspirations. I decided that AI generation was the best approach to achieve these concepts. I started with Adobe Firefly, where I prompted specific scenes to be generated, which I subsequently set into three-dimensional motion with CapCut, transforming stillness into dynamic zooms. I employed Canva's AI functionalities, crafting short, vivid clips that further painted the story of the song. Using the RotorVideos platform, I crafted three video variations with these assets, incorporating some hand-selected footage available on the platform.

Seeking to mirror the synthesized vocals of the track, I aimed for a robotic appearance in my own face by crafting a photorealistic avatar. This avatar was then animated using facial motion capture, bringing a lifelike dynamism to the digital persona. To do this I transformed a selfie with several apps: FaceApp to change my hairstyle and clothing, NewProfilePic to add further filters, and finally Avatarify to bring this image to life as I intended.

Finally, I assembled all of these creative elements into a final composition, using Final Cut Pro to achieve the end product. In doing so, I brought my vision to life, culminating in a final composition that reflects the expression of my artistic influences and creative endeavors.