Parvyn Kaur Singh is a Punjabi Australian singer and dancer. Best known as vocalist in cult psychedelic band The Bombay Royale she is influenced by electronica and jazz, and by her background in Sikh devotional music and her training in Indian classical music and dance.
Parvyn has spent her life on the stage, beginning her international touring career in her father Dya Singh’s ensemble at the age of seven. As performers of Sikh religious music, their work is held in high esteem by Sikh communities across the globe.
At this year’s OzAsia Festival, Parvyn will be launching her new album, Maujuda, in what will be a wonderful night celebrating this extraordinary artist and her music.
Parvyn spoke to Glam Adelaide about her new album, her music and if performing was always something she wanted to do as a career.
“For me performance is a tool I use to be truly ‘present’, which is what my new album ‘Maujuda’ means. Whether into a microphone while recording vocals or in front of a camera on set, performance makes me focus in on the moment of space and time to commit all my intention and energy into the art. The absolute BEST version of this is when I am performing with a real live audience in the same physical space as me connecting with each other and the music in real time. It is a moment that is unique and that cannot be re-created exactly the same way again. As you mentioned I’ve been in the music industry for a very long time and performance is a skill I’ve had lots of opportunity to work on, before I even had a choice whether I wanted to or not, so it’s a career that has happened naturally for me as I continue to follow a path that flows.”
Parvyn shared with us where the idea behind her new album, Maujuda, came from.
“An opportunity came up for me to travel to Canada to work with my good friend Jane Aurora on a record. That got me starting to plan out a theme and what sort of record I wanted to make. The concept was a snapshot of my own family history of migration from India to Australia via Malaysia and the UK. During my research and songwriting I came across the word ‘Maujuda’ and felt like it gave me a clear direction of my concept for this album. It is important to know one’s family history and where we’ve come from but also be current and existing in this space and time living for this moment.”
We were keen to find out from Parvyn where she comes up with ideas for new music when composing.
“Mostly I draw inspiration from my own life experiences or stories of people close to me. I have a lot of empathy so I can take on other peoples stories to be my own, but I haven’t explored that too much yet in my own songwriting. My creative process is based on playfulness and experimenting. I generally prefer a clear space and silence around me and I just try things and if they feel good I continue working on them. Most songs go through several reviews and can end up quite different to the initial idea but there are a few that sometimes flow right from the start.”
On Friday 8th November, Parvyn will be launching her new album at Nexus Arts.
“I will be taking the audience into my world of ‘Maujuda’, being present with ourselves, each other, and the music. I like to find the space between the sound and visual, finding freedom there to express myself wholeheartedly. There will be a full band lineup with keys, double bass, drums, guitar, dil riba, sitar, trumpet and string quartet. There’ll also be visuals by Alice Yang – who made my music video for my first single Free To Be Myself. Also come early/stay late for a little boogie with DJ Nelya and a mimosa/samosa on entry – this is a launch party after all!”
Maujuda Album Launch Party
8pm, Friday 8 November 2024
Nexus Arts
https://ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/maujuda-album-launch-party
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