Kaitlyn Dorff, born and raised in Calabasas, California, is no stranger to the music biz.
Nearly a year to the day after releasing her sophomore studio album, Surrender, beloved singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers made her comeback to the touring scene after a three-year hiatus because of COVID-19. Before her return, Rogers’ last tour was in 2019, celebrating her beloved debut record on the Heard It in A Past Life tour.
Bowe’s change of musical direction is a good look for him!
On July 7, Nisha Asnani released her new album, The Pursuit of Happiness. The rap and electronic album discussed immigration, feminity, joy, and hard work. Her previous tracks have similar styles.
In 2019, she put out “Figures” and “Parade” as singles. In 2020, she published tracks such as “My Bad” and “Heaven.” She appeared on Michael Calfan and Harber’s single “Feelings After Dark.” The new record showcases Asnani’s progression as a musician.
To learn more about the album, please read the interview transcript with Asnani and the production team below.
The Knockturnal: Please describe this album’s production process.
Nisha Asnani: They made the album over the course of 5 years with Alex Tirheimer (Bumbasee,) and Yash Vaid. I started it in 2018, chasing a specific feeling I had found in songs like Midas, Bad Sandy, and Figures. I wanted to understand my drive; my fight, and where that came from.
When I started making this album, I was fresh off a publishing deal and a hit record with money in the bank and so many opportunities. Over the next few years, as I faced the inevitable dip and the challenges of being an independent artist, the album became a lesson in survival. The records were made with my friends Alex and Yash. I slept on floors and air mattresses and recorded in closets. I spent my rent on mixes and flights to LA.
The album is about the pursuit of happiness, my immigrant journey, being a woman and a hustler, realizing the purpose of my masculinity was to empower and protect my femininity and that freedom is an uncontrollable force that moves us whether we are ready or not.
Alex Tirheimer: There’s nothing better than developing a musical shorthand with an artist. Together, we managed to create a space where every idea was worth chasing and creative risks were encouraged. This body of work spans multiple chapters of our lives, but we stayed on the same page the whole process. Nisha is extremely talented and such an inspiration to work with. I am so proud of us!
The Knockturnal: What does the album cover represent?
Nisha Asnani: In 2019 I was on a writing trip to Mumbai which happened to fall during the festival of Holi. This joyous celebration of colors and chaos was one of my favorite memories as a kid: everyone getting together and letting loose on a totally different level than any other time in the year. And you get to throw paint on your aunties! It’s a playfully rebellious holiday, and this is a playfully rebellious album. As always I want my art to be a safe place to let loose. I wanted to recreate that feeling of freedom on the album cover, to connect my immigrant journey and the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness to my roots. I brought back bottles of Holi powder and kept them safe for 3 years until we shot the album cover in 2022.
The Knockturnal: Why did you choose “Keep Running” as the first track?
Nisha Asnani: Honestly, I have a great deal of respect for people’s time, and I asked myself if they heard one song on this album, one message – which would be the most important. The answer was Keep Running, because I wanted to prepare people for the infinite nature of desire and pursuit. There is no end to life, to consciousness. It’s constantly evolving, and so are we. Everything is evolving, so if you’re in life, you have to find the ability, the will, and the source in yourself to stay connected and stay evolving. It’s on one hand an encouragement and another a direction – it’s not safe to get stuck. It was like my higher self whispering to me as I came into the physical realm – don’t stop.
The Knockturnal: The backing track for “To The Top Freestyle” features many noises and chimes. How did you create it?
Nisha Asnani: I’m going to pass this question along to producer Dave Berg because this track was his fully formed genius.
Dave Berg: The beat for “The Top” was made in the depths of the pandemic. I was flipping lots of samples because I was isolated from sessions and working with my regular collaborators.
The Knockturnal: What does the beginning of “DAAL” represent?
Nisha Asnani: I’ve definitely come up with 100 possible meanings for this fun song but the truth is its just a vignette that played out in my house so many times growing up: the kids coming home hungry and my mom (who happened to be an amazing cook who made us the best Indian food all the time,) trying to get us to eat leftovers instead of bully her into cooking. I also wanted to honor the home kitchens that have made us so resilient. Beyond food being a pillar of pride in our own culture, Indian food has become a representation of comfort, flavor, and care throughout the world.
The Knockturnal: The vocals on “DAAL” involve some pitch-shifting. Could you let me know why you chose that effect?
Nisha Asnani: That was all Yash – I sent him a voice memo of my mom and brother jamming out and DAAL is the genius he sent back.
Yash: DAAL was not a project – it was me having fun with voice memos of NISHA’s family talking about Indian dishes, haha. Having Indian origin has been something both of us have bonded over since the beginning. I’m glad I was able to be a part of a tune that brings family and culture together!
The Knockturnal: In the first verse of “Freedom,” you mention a “spyglass.” How did you come up with this image?
Nisha Asnani: Honestly, when I am flowing, images like that come to me. This one is about the haters who I felt so far enough from me that they had to pull out telescopes and spy instruments to see what I was up to.
The Knockturnal: Please talk about your collaborations with Kumar, Sunita, and PAV4N.
Nisha Asnani: My brother has always wanted to make music, and I was over at his house one day and he started spitting this really funny boppy melody, and my mom jumped in. I think music is all around us, and the best music comes from that stuff you just sing to yourself in the car or the kitchen – the things that make you happy.
PAV4N and I met in 2019 in Mumbai and I ended up performing with him during the Bud X Festival. We remained friends, and he has been a mentor to me while working on this album. This voicemail is one of many notes of encouragement, and I just love him and his voice and wanted to use something personal and unscripted in this song.
The Knockturnal: Why did you choose “Found You” as the last track?
Nisha Asnani: I wrote Found You during my first official queership, a few years after I came out. It was the first time I had experienced acceptance and emotional support as non-binary in a romantic partnership. I think it’s important for us to define an endpoint for ourselves (because wanting things is infinite) and for me, that love was it. Unfortunately, although the relationship did not last or even end particularly well, it showed me what was possible, and I never forgot or let go of that feeling. Found You ultimately is not saying you’ll get what you want and stop wanting anything. It just means when you find the things you really want, you’ll circle them, protect them, and surrender to them.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Knox is a talented singer-songwriter rapidly ascending within the music industry. Within the last year and a half, he has signed to Atlantic Records and built a strong fanbase via TikTok, with one of his videos featuring his hit track “Sneakers” reaching nearly 2 million views overnight. “Sneakers” now has over 23 million streams across streaming platforms.
Formed in 2019, comprising musicians Alec McGarry, Nathan Lambert, and Ryan Meaney began their musical journey as New Rules. Within the last four years, the band’s shared passion and dedication to music has made them the artist to watch and driven them to the spotlight, leaving audiences, fans, and perhaps locals walking on the streets of London where they’ve busked amazed and intrigued.
Melanie Martinez is widely recognized for her intricate and detailed production concepts for shows. Undeniably so, Melanie is dedicated to their craft. Since 2012, Melanie has been known to create alter-egos and alternate universes through her music and childhood-related themes.
6-28-23- As we are midway through the wild ride we call an NYC summer, things have been ramping up as of recently and really taking on a life of its own.
One event in particular in reference would be the Tropical Takeover Tour- sponsored by Vita Coco and Captain Morgan and Headlined by current worldwide sensation Chinsea Linda Lee otherwise known as Shenseea.
From the doors, those who had the pleasure of attending were immediately greeted with an island vibe that could not be described.
As you enter, the plants and lights that greet you seem as they are growing through the ceiling.
From drinks to food- Captain Morgan and Vita Coco did not miss a beat. The drinks were based on the tropical theme and it seemed as if everyone was drinking the Jamaican Rum Punch as the distinctive red liquid seemed to be in everyone’s cup.
As if the drinks weren’t enough, the food had those in attendance in a frenzy as people were lined up all throughout the venue.
By the Shenseea hit the stage- fans were more than ready.
As the lights dimmed, you heard her distinctive voice before you saw her. And upon arrival Shenseea did not disappoint.
The energy was electric from the beginning, as Shenseea did everything from free-styling to performing her biggest hits.
From the critically acclaimed “Lighters” to her newest single “Curious”- fans were not starved for much, as she did not disappoint in any fashion.
One of the more notable things was how Shenseea went out of her way to uplift all the women in attendance, reminding them the importance of an independent mindset.
The highlight of the night was the dancing contest that Shenseea chose to host on stage.
Three contestants had the opportunity to not only dance with Shenseea but the winner actually performed her closing song with her.
As the concert came to a close, it was clear that the bond Shenseea was developing with her fans might still be growing, but is extremely strong.
With household names such as Cardi B, J Lo, French Montana, Swizz Beats and the legendary Notorious B.I.G; it’s safe to say the Bronx, New York is responsible for some of the most influential musical artists. Sharing the same birthplace as Hip-Hop may have greatly shaped the many musical talents that continuously emerge from the “boogie down” Bronx; which is the case of up and coming rapper GuddaBabby who credits the nitty gritty borough for fueling his craft.
Taking influences from Notorious B.I.G, Lil Wayne, Young Thug, Drake and more; GuddaBaby released his first studio record “Mhtl” on December 22,2020. Since, the Bronx native locked into the studio to record his latest project, “Life is Beautiful.” The Knocktural was able to conduct an interview via email with GuddaBabby, to get some insight to the story behind the artist.
Q: What’s the story behind your stage name?
A: GuddaBabyy steams from the slang, “Gutter Child.” Growing up I spent a lot of time in the streets, or in slum areas. Growing up in a low economic station I kind of adapted to the lifestyle that came with it. However, as I got older, I started to lean towards the more positive things in life. I could never forget where I Came from . I’ll forever be a GuddaBabyy.
Q: When did you start making music?
A: I started making music around 2015 during high school, however, I never took it as seriously as I do now until around late 2019. Once my first studio recorded track “Mhtl” hit all platforms, I just kind of took off from there .
Q: Tell me about your latest project? How did it come about? What’s the main message behind it?
A: “Life is beautiful,” my first studio project released on March 20, 2023. It was inspired by the events that took place within the three months of me actually focusing on my craft.I took about three months to actually focus, plan and execute the mission no matter what was going on in my life. Three months of dedication opened doors for me I never thought I’d walk into. This project was everything I felt, went through and did within that time span and I just wanted to share it with everyone.
Q: Drill is so popular right now, how do you keep your sound and image unique?
A: With the drill scene taking over mass majority of the industry, I do my best to stay versatile and have unique schemes, punchlines, metaphors, and sounds. As far as my image goes, I like to keep it calm, clean and not too extra.
Q: How do you hope your music will contribute to the NYC music scene?
A: I wouldn’t consider myself a Drill artist, however, I hope my music can contribute to the NYC drill scene to inspire, uplift, motivate and relate to my supporters. I pursue music to let everyone know: no matter who you are, you can do whatever you want. You just have apply the pressure and don’t ever quit! 
Supporters can stream Gudda Babby on Apple Music and YouTube! He will also be releasing a single titled, “Don’t Know,” on his birthday July 6.
In advance of her debut album, Messy, Olivia Dean played a show at New York City’s infamous Le Poisson Rouge, in the heart of the West Village, on the 15th of June. This show marked a significant milestone for the up-and-coming artist, as the performance was her first in the United States.