Sijya performing at Tate Modern, 25th August 2023. Photography by Elana
An embodiment of the wave of fresh ideas and distinctive creative identity emerging from South Asia, Sijya’s artistic voice is a gradual rebellion against preconceived notions of approach, forms and styles led by her ability to strike a balance between the known and the outlier. With work that showcases a defining commitment to originality without losing upon emotionality, the New Delhi artist has emerged as one of the most hotly-tipped up-and-coming talents from the region’s alternative music space. At the same time, the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad alumnus continues her independent practice as a go-to visual designer for arts, music and cultural institutions.
As a composer, producer and graphic artist, the multi-faceted talent lays down textural abstractions of her inner monologue onto musical and visual canvases alike to deliver the most well-rounded artistic offerings. Dreamy untamed synth layers and raw rhythms come together with emotion-led vocal lines creating a concoction of art pop, downtempo and ambient discoverable through her debut single ‘Have To Make My Bed’ as part of boxout.fm’s compilation ‘SUCHI SELECTS’ and her debut EP ‘Young Hate’.
Released via British music royalty Matthew Herbert’s Accidental Records, an institution known for launching artists with an independent-minded approach, ‘Young Hate’ and their respective music videos showcase Sijya’s creative stamp as a music and visual artist at its most synchronous and far-ranging. The 6-track release has received support from notable outlets such as BBC 6Music, Crack Magazine, Kaltblut, NOWNESS, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Feel My Bicep, Rolling Stone India, The Wild City, Indian Express and Rinse.FM while Sijya has since been championed by the likes of Four Tet, Tom Ravenscroft, Machine Woman and more. The release has also been celebrated through guest remixes with the companion EP ‘Young Love’ and earned the artist the title of “one to watch” by multiple platforms.
Meanwhile, Sijya has been extending her unique artistry to the live setting. Most recently, she has embarked upon a UK tour, playing at Tate Lates at the Tate Modern, London’s Servant Jazz Quarters, Bristol’s Trinity Center, opening for Nabihah Iqbal at Yes Manchester, leading workshop for Saffron UK and providing guest mixes for NTS and Noods Radio. The draw to her fresh artistic voice has also led the solo performer to play across major cities in the country, opening for The Cinematic Orchestra’s India tour and featuring on lineups of notable live events along with the likes of Aurora Halal, DVS1, Manu Chao, Redveil and Sandunes – all within a year of making her live debut with the coveted opening spot at India’s premier music festival Magnetic Fields 2022.
Hedra, a font designed by her and the Indian Type Foundry, can be found here.
sijya.gupta@gmail.com
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