The final track of RIYAAZ is more contemplative than the other pieces in this album. In a way, I wanted this piece to shed light on mental wellness in South Asian communities in Western countries.
Immigrant families are known for being ambitious, and there's often lots of pressure heaped on South Asian youth overseas to succeed, though not enough support to reconcile setbacks, which are only natural in life.
The fact is, on some street in a busy Indian city, there is some shopkeeper who owns a small store where he sells some produce. Though he doesn't make much money, he supports his community with groceries, supports his family, and lives his life with honor, integrity, and peace. Though he is but a firefly in an indian summer, there is an elegance to living with such dignity and simplicity. Reflections like these help me realize there is more to life than academics, fame, and fortune.
All proceeds from album sales will go towards Desi Dance Network, Inc., a network for the dancers/artists in the Desi Dance circuits in the United States (Bhangra, Bollywood Fusion / Hindi-Film Dance, Indian Classical, and Raas Garba). DDN has grown to include not only dancers, but all performance artists from multiple genres of South Asian performance arts (including DJs, producers, filmmakers, etc.)
credits
from RIYAAZ,
released February 7, 2018
Indian Summer | Jai Wolf (Kasbo Remix)
In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein | A.R. Rahman (Jodhaa Akhbar)
Firefly | Childish Gambino
These sweet, sad indie pop tunes accompany Ian Coss's podcast of the same name, in which he interviews his family about their divorces. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 17, 2021