Sohini Kaur
Calling all fans of old-school nostalgic R&B and pop: Sohini Kaur is the artist for you! In this interview, we learn how Sohini got her name, her background in music, her latest musical endeavours and her upcoming gigs. Based in Leeds, Sohini has been taking the music scene by storm, and I look forward to seeing what she gets up to next!
What’s The Story Behind Your Artist Name?
“My first name (Sohini) is actually an Indian classical Raag – Raag Sohini. My mum chose this Raag as I was born late at night, which is traditionally when Raag Sohini is meant to be played! Kaur is my middle name – in the Sikh tradition, all girls are given this name, which means princess.”
There is something so beautiful about tradition being carried in a name, and Sohini being named after a Raag leaves me thinking music was written in the stars for her!
What’s Your Background In Music?
“I started learning Sitar and North Indian Classical vocals at five, and learned Musical Theatre/Opera/English Folk with a vocal coach in my early teens. When I was fourteen, as a coping mechanism for depression and grief, I rekindled my love for singing. I became enamoured with R&B, Soul and Motown and started songwriting a couple of years ago.”
Sohini’s rich background in many genres provides her with a lot of skill and musical prowess. She mentioned her early obsession with singers like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera and their influence on her music to this day, which she now performs with her band at Leeds Conservatoire – consisting of Burgess Holden on drums, Answer McPhaill on bass, Olivier Ballard on guitar, and Lily-Anna Burrows on keys.
What’s your biggest achievement so far?
Sohini has seen a lot of achievement in her time as a songwriter, one of which would be her performance at The Northern Market for Not A Thing Event’s first ever ‘Speakeasy Sessions’. As well as this, she got to perform on Britain’s Got Talent and sing a duet with Adam Tucker (the voice of young Robbie Williams in his ‘Better-Man’ biopic), she leads workshops on the basics of Indian classical vocals and sings backing vocals for Jazmine Rose and Shadow: two upcoming artists also from Leeds Conservatoire.
“It’s the most amazing feeling to see your friends shine whilst supporting them!”
Recommend Me An Album / Single / Soundtrack!
“The live version of ‘All The Man I Need’ by Whitney Houston! I probably watched this performance every day for a whole summer when I discovered it – it was something about Whitney’s effortlessness and ease, her basking stage presence, her grandeur and grace, and also her ability to have every audience member completely enamoured by her.”
Sohini also mentioned that this was the performance that made her want to become a singer, and to evoke the feeling of love in people’s hearts. Whitney Houston is amongst the many greats that inspire Sohini, such as Beyoncé, A R Rahman, Michael Jackson, Sherya Ghoshal and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – all of which Sohini considers to have been ‘pivotal compositional and vocal influences’ for her.
If You Could Collaborate With Any Artist In The World, Who Would It Be And Why?
“I would absolutely love to collaborate with A R Rahman, to understand his creative process, but I would also love to collaborate with my vocal idol Mariah Carey!”
Sohini mentioned that the composer and producer A R Rahman implements a variety of styles, genres and cultures into his film soundtracks, ‘making what might have been deemed unconventional into something extraordinary’. As well as this, she goes on to say that ‘Mariah Carey’s discography will forever amaze and inspire me, perfectly balancing vocal virtuosity and poetic lyricism.’ What fantastic collaborations these would be!
What’s Next?
On the 31st of May, Sohini and her band will be performing at the New Age Fundraiser: a not-for-profit organisation for artists and creatives. And that’s not all! Sohini will be making an appearance at Not A Thing Event’s monthly ‘Patches’ night at the Fox & Newt on the 12th July. You’re not going to want to miss either of these gigs!
Click me for New Age Fundraiser tickets!
Click me for Not A Thing ‘Patches’ tickets!
How Can We Find You?
Sohini is available to contact via email, and is active on Instagram and Tiktok!
Instagram & Tiktok: @sohinikaursings
Email: sohinikaur73@gmail.com
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