If you’ve been on TikTok at all within the past year, there’s a high chance that singer/songwriter Paravi’s angelic covers have appeared on your For You Page. Her versions of Beach Bunny’s “Cloud 9” and BØRNS “Electric Love” were used by hundreds of thousands of users. She went on to release her debut cover EP, titled “Thank You For Being Here”. After stealing our hearts with her phenomenal voice, Paravi has just released her first original song “Golden Child” under RCA Records. Additionally, she was featured on the hit movie “ELVIS” soundtrack, with a cover of Suspicious Minds. In the midst of her quickly growing career, I was able to chat with her over email to discuss all of the exciting things that she’s working on.
Brigid: Congratulations on the release of your first original song! How are you feeling about the release of “Golden Child”?
Paravi: I don’t think I can put this feeling into words, releasing my debut original song, paying homage to my Indian heritage, creating something unique & fresh & new, announcing myself as a signed artist to a major label…it all feels like every dream is coming true in the cheesiest of rom-com ways. I’m feeling overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, pride, & excitement for all that’s to come after this moment.
Brigid: How was the transition between creating covers versus creating original music?
Paravi: It was honestly so exciting to have the rare opportunity of a fresh playing field. I could literally choose any and every direction for my original music, every edge of my interests in the world of songwriting and my musical aesthetic. I had the chance to truly make a statement with my first original piece and set the tone for the rest of my project and who I am as a person outside of singing other people’s words, and I think “Golden Child” was the perfect debut to demonstrate my depth as a singer & songwriter. The contrast between my original work and my cover pieces is a bit steep, but I know the people who are meant to stick around, will stick around. I have complete faith that those who support me and the music will encourage me in this new era!
Brigid: Can you tell me a bit about the writing/creative process behind “Golden Child”?
Paravi: I actually wrote this song an entire year ago and released it on the anniversary without realizing it! I was in the studio for the first time with Khushi, we bonded over our Indian heritage and love of music, grabbed a tabla sample, and started to write over a little beat, and it became all that it is today. Surprisingly, I actually didn’t like the song at first…my management and label had to talk me into its potential. I think I was nervous about exploring something so different from my usual slow and sad takes on songs, it was as exciting as it was nerve-wracking, but I got talked into giving it a second try and ended up falling in love the more we worked on it. Just goes to show what amazing and passionate people I’m lucky enough to work with.
Brigid: You have a wide range of musical experience, you’ve studied Indian dance and theatre as well as currently studying musical theatre in college. Do you think this wide range of influences have impacted your sound?
Paravi: I’m definitely impacted by every part of me, whether it’s my heritage or my major in college, I think everything subconsciously trickles its way into my work, because my music is a product of who I am as a person. Whenever I write about topics that have to do with my experience as a young brown girl, I love incorporating Indian elements into the sound, and whenever I’m writing about other ideas and passions that aren’t so heavily tied to my background, I explore harmony structures I learned in SATB choir in high school, musical theater elements to lyrics & melodies, you get the idea; everything is a product of every part of me.
Brigid: Where do you envision your music career going? Are you hoping to go more into the musical theatre realm, or the commercial music industry? You have such a wide range of experiences and options, it’s really exciting that you have a variety of different paths you can take!
Paravi: My dream is to pull a Sara Bareilles; do both pop music and musical theater, both are huge passions of mine and things that I think will intersect in beautiful ways in the future. Even just this past year, I was part of a professional new musical called “WILD” and got the incredible chance to originate a leading role alongside Idina Menzel, working in tandem with Justin Tranter, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Diane Paulus, and a million other of the best creatives I know, which was one of the best experiences of my life. I think my overall aim for life is to keep doing things like that; keep performing and writing and creating things that bring my soul joy & make me feel like I’m leaving the world a better place than I found it, wherever that purpose takes me is where I’ll end up. If it wins me a few Grammys that’d be cool, too.
Brigid: It’s awesome that you were featured on the Elvis movie soundtrack! Can you tell me a bit about how that came about?
Paravi: It actually started while I was in Boston for the musical I mentioned above! One day during rehearsal, I got a call from my team explaining that RCA Records was handling the soundtrack and they wanted to pitch me to Baz. I think I fell on the floor in the dance studio after hearing those words. So, the next day, my only off-day from the show for the week, we booked a studio, I learned an Elvis song, and we got to recording a million background vocals and leads to create what you now know as my cover of “Suspicious Minds”. After that day, I genuinely didn’t hear anything for months, but it was always living in the back of my head. This was around December, and on January 1st of this year, I have actual proof that the first thing on my list of goals for 2022 was to get my track in the Elvis movie. A few months later, I got a call from my managers saying that I was in. I screamed, cried, called my parents, and cried some more. I still can’t really believe it’s real. Just like releasing a debut single, it’s an indescribable feeling to hear your voice in a movie theater.
Brigid: Who are some of your musical inspirations?
Paravi: Adele is my ride or die. I grew up on adult contemporary music, from Barry Manilow to Celine Dion, my karaoke machine was stacked with the greats, ready for me to belt them out. Alongside being influenced by listening to Bollywood music and being trained in classical Indian voice from a young age, I was a lover of mainstream pop and had classics like “Kiss You” by One Direction and “Ready or Not” by Bridgit Mendler loaded up on my pink iPod. I’d like to think my music is at a unique intersection of all these lanes.
Brigid: Following this amazing release, is there anything else upcoming in your career that we can look forward to?
Paravi: This question made me giggle because I, once again, cannot emphasize how excited I am to grow and develop into whatever this crazy career becomes. More music, live shows and a LOT of big news coming soon. Eager to share these special announcements with my little sunbeams so soon! Thank you so much!
Listen to “Golden Child” here!
