Ash Andrade's Journey of 'Discovery'

The Goan artist's LP revolves around the theme of embracing your path in life

- DAVID BRITTO

While shuffling through Goa-based artist Ash Andrade’s eight-track debut album Discovery, you uncover that the musician is quite multifaceted. Andrade’s ability to juxtapose a variety of genres, execute rapping as well as hit all the right notes with her mellifluous vocal chops, is definitely commendable.

In this interview with Rolling Stone India, she breaks down Discovery, takes us behind the scenes of the making of the record, what she has in store next and more.

What has it been like for you growing up in the music-loving state of Goa?

My parents are both music lovers, and from my childhood till now, we always have music playing every morning in the house. My journey in music has had its ups and downs. After failing my music exam in the fourth grade, I taught myself the keyboard and guitar and then went on to teach a summer crash course at the same music school in 2011. My passion for music never ceased no matter what the obstacle, but it was in college that I was drawn to the craft of songwriting.

The thought of writing my own song was both overwhelming and challenging and until that point, I always found comfort in just being the keyboardist and a member of the choir. So, I started writing songs in college. I would write for events, parodies, and sometimes plays. Whenever someone asks me what my first song was, I’d jokingly tell them it was about a horse. The first original that I composed was called ‘Pegasus’ [yes, the horse], written for a literature event under the same name for my college, which I also sang a part in. But unfortunately, my college dreams remained dreams and I got sidetracked with other priorities, mainly my career and further education.