Parvyn
In this special live edition of Control, recorded at Melbourne Recital Centre we speak to Punjabi Australian vocalist, songwriter and dancer Parvyn Singh. We chat about her time with the Bombay Royale, stepping out as a solo artist with her debut record ‘Sa’, motherhood and much more.
CREDITS:
Produced by Chelsea Wilson
Co-produced by Linda Catalano
Live engineering by Melbourne Recital Centre audio team
Transcript by Natalie Burne
Recorded March 9, 2022
TRANSCRIPT:
Chelsea:
Hi, and welcome to the Control podcast. Thank you so much. The Control podcast where we speak to wildly inspiring women in control of their music and in control of their careers. I'm Chelsea Wilson, your host and thrilled to be, thank you. Thrilled to be broadcasting from the beautiful Primrose Potter salon here at Melbourne recital centre. I'd like to acknowledge that we are on the lands of the Kulin nation and pay my respects to First Nations peoples elders and emerging leaders. It's an honor to be contributing to over 60,000 years of knowledge sharing and music making on these lands. In this special Live episode of control, I'm delighted to be speaking to Parvyn Singh, an influential Punjabi Australian vocalist, songwriter, dancer and educator. A prolific live artist Parvyn began her international touring career with her father Dya Singh at the age of seven. In 2010, Parvyn was a founding member of the Bombay Royale, who in 2012 released their first album, You Me Bullets Love, which went straight to number one on the iTunes world music charts. Internationally she has performed at events such as the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Salmon Arm Folk Festival, Hillside festival in Canada, the California World Music Festival, Glastonbury, WOMAD, UK, Cambridge Folk Festival Royal Albert Hall, Singapore Arts Festival and the Smithsonian Institute to name just a few. And closer to home she's appeared at festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, WOMAdelaide Fairbridge, Folk Festival, and many more. An avid collaborator she's worked with artists such as mantra, Joelistics, L Fresh the Lion and toured with soul legend Sharon Jones. During the COVID 19 pandemic, she launched a new chapter in her career with her debut record Sa. So please join me in a huge Control podcast welcome for Parvyn.
Thank you Parvyn, Please have a seat. Hi, Parvyn, how you feeling?
Parvyn:
I'm feeling great. This is really good. Thank you for everyone that's here. It's nice to see lots of familiar faces in the crowd.
Chelsea:
So good. And thank you so much for joining me on the control Podcast. I'm so excited to chat to you about your career. I’ve been such a huge fan of your work and a fan of the Bombay Royale and I was so excited to see your solo career blossoming. And hear your debut record, which is incredible. But I'd really like to if we can go back very early in your career. You started singing professionally with your father Dya Singh, when you were very, very young. What was that experience like for you? And what were your key learnings?
Parvyn:
I think the tradition of Sikh traditional music, spiritual music that we do, it's very much on the job training and on the job learning. So you just kind of get absorbed by the culture, and you just sit there and you learn on the spot. I definitely learnt how to improvise and just go with the flow and, and it's just been something that has been part of my life forever. So it's a very natural thing for me to be onstage and performing. There are definitely times when I remember that I wasn't wanting to perform or I didn't enjoy it so much. So that kind of pushed through attitude of the show must go on and the stage skills of just smile, just just you know, perform and be be that kind of yeah, really comfortable on stage. I am incredibly grateful for the experience. And I think it's the same with learning any instrument when you're young. And I know that there are some classical players here as well that like there is an element of discipline that you have to push through and that your parents kind of help you to get through. And at the time it might not be so enjoyable, but I appreciate that now. I think definitely. But yeah, I grew up on the stage, I used to fall asleep in my mum's arms. So all my sisters and my mum used to sit behind us or all of us would be on stage together. Yeah, when there was this one song that dad would sing, and it was like my sleepy song. And so I would literally fall asleep. I was five years old at the time so it was okay, that I used to fall asleep on stage. Yeah, it's just been a part of my life. It's a part of the culture. And yeah, the way it's been passed through to me from Dad I'm incredibly grateful for.
Chelsea:
And so is it something that as a family, you were just always singing and always making music? And it just naturally came into the stage? Were you asking as a kid? Can I get up? Can I get up?
Parvyn:
I don't think I was. My mum and my sister here, I don't think I actually ever really was super enthusiastic about getting to stage it was kind of like a, I'll just follow along because I'm the youngest of the three girls. So I just, it just is what we did, we just performed. And so we would start when I was three years old, my parents actually started the first Sikh temple in Adelaide, because there was no Sikh gurdwara, which was there. So they started the temple, and we would perform in the gurdwara and then from there, there was a gentleman, Keith Preston that came and, and saw us and then he encouraged dad to take it out onto the stage, like the music that we would do. It's gospel, it's our church music. And so it's just what we were doing. Every Sunday, we used to go and do it at the temple. So it was a natural progression from that, getting onto stage. And for me, I mean, when you're five years old, you just you just go with the flow, you just sort of, oh is this what we're doing now. Okay. And they’ll dress me up and, you know, I'll just sit there with my head covered. And I think for the first couple of years, I didn't actually know many of the words of the songs, like I would just kind of mime along to it.
Chelsea:
And what was the kind of training like because you've got such an incredible year and a beautiful voice. Was that just all really that learning by ear? It's someone break it down and go through? No.
Parvyn:
My father is not a patient man. And so it would just be like I said, on the job training of like learning, you would just sing a line and you were you expected to sing along with it. And if, if you got it right, then he would give you another line to sing. And so you would sing that if you got it wrong, he would cut you off and start going somewhere else. So you just kind of got these opportunities every once in a while to do it. And then if you got it well, you're encouraged to keep going. And if you didn't get it right, you'd be cut off and then you just have to sit and listen. So listening is all the way that you learn Indian classical music is all by ear. There's no notation for it.
Chelsea:
Wow. Dya Singh has been described as an enigma, as a musical pioneer as an Aussie larrikin. As a true spiritual messenger. How do you think your father has influenced you as an artist?
Parvyn:
All of those things. I'd love I'd like to know where you got those quotes from, because he is that. He's very much an enigma. He is the most incredibly naturally talented performer. And like his comfort levels on stage and in front of an audience is incredible. He has such a great charisma. I struggle to keep up with the sort of charisma that he has for sure. Like it's, I think it's a hard thing to follow in your parents footsteps if they're a really big personality, and they have such an incredible presence. But I, I what I think I've done is not tried to copy what he does. I've tried to really strip it back and be true and authentic to my story, and the type of music that I like, the way that I write my songs naturally. Like, I didn't want to try and be that I wanted to try and find my own voice and deliver that and not having to be compared with what he does or what he did.
Chelsea:
When I saw that he commented on your film clip for What You See on YouTube and I quote he's written “it takes courage to step out of one's comfort zone, go out on a limb and do something special. I admire those who do. Of course, it also requires commitment, discipline and talent. belief in one's ability also features strongly well done. My daughter this is a stunning audio visual number. It is unique”.
Parvyn:
Yes. when I read that I did I did burst out into tears after reading that comment. I, when I saw that. I was just like, This is amazing. It was a good moment.
Chelsea:
That's really beautiful. So throughout your career, Indian music and culture has informed and inspired your work. Can you share with us a little bit about the approach there and how culture is linked with your artistic expression?
Parvyn:
I think part of my job as an artist, and as a human being is that I want to be able to be representative of the minority culture that I come from, especially in Australia, it's kind of like, I didn't have, well I had my dad who was an incredible example of taking our culture and being proud and bold, and going out and spreading the word. Because it's a part of education, educating society, so that we can all understand each other better and get along better. So for me, maybe it is a thing where if you are from a minority culture, you hold on to it more, and that becomes part of what inspires you to do, the thing is to spread that message and spread that culture because it's such a beautiful thing. So I have been conscientious about that, about that representation of, of Sikh, Punjabi, brown women, voices in Australia and throughout the world as well. Like, I want to be able to be there as an example of what you can do, and that you don't have to hide, because there's sometimes there's the tendency of, of migrant communities to hide their culture and to, to just keep it behind closed doors. But it's, I think, we can share it because we can all be better off and richer from the experience of each other's cultures and learning of how people deal with life and how they view things and the philosophy of those cultures. It just makes you for a richer experience of life and experience. Yeah, of knowledge, I think.
Chelsea:
So do you feel a sense of responsibility with your artistic practice? To kind of be carrying that flag?
Parvyn:
Yes, and no, I am aware that I am representing part of it. But I also don't want to hold that. Let that hold me back from being true to myself.
Chelsea:
Yes, where’s Parvyn in that?
Parvyn:
Yeah. And that it's so multifaceted. Like there's so many different things that I enjoy. And I like, and I don't want to be kind of narrowed down to this one role. So I am conscious of that I am careful with public image and what I put on Instagram, and all those sorts of things. Because I want to be a good role model. But then I also don't want to be defined as that either. So I try and push the boundaries, here and there enough that people get used to not expecting me to be something in particular. And I think that's why I started with my debut solo album is it's a very much it's a personal album, it's very, it's a multi genre album. It's mostly in English, it's not religious, or spiritual music very much, there's elements of it. And because I really would like to do the Sikh spiritual music, but I don't want that to pigeonhole me into being owned by that set of people and that I have to then play those roles in a religious kind of way. And so I kind of figure if I start here, then you they people will get to know me as a person. And if I then do the spiritual Sikh music. It's kind of like, and I also like doing this, but it's not all that I do, you can go back and see that I'm not, I don't know, it's that that role model thing I am cautious of because people have their own understanding of what being a good Punjabi girl is. And so I want to be able to make sure that I'm proud and comfortable with who I am, and I'm a good person, but it might not necessarily be the typical, what a Punjabi parent wants their daughter to be.
Chelsea:
Hmm.
Parvyn:
Is that too much? Yeah, there's a lot. There's this kind of like, I think I think about those things a lot in how I represent my culture, and it does feel like this heavy weight and responsibility, but also, I want to be loved for all that I am and all that I do, because I'm a good person.
Chelsea:
Absolutely. I think that's really important, you know, as an artist as well to be free of being able to reflect the times that you’re in reflect what's going on in your life and and bring your culture with you in the way that feels right to you without fear of being judged. But it's so hard as an artist, whenever we put ourselves out there, we're open to any kind of judgment left, right and center. So you're sort of, you're never gonna please, everyone. So you might as well just put out the art that you feel ethically good about, and that you feel proud of, artistically. So how are you feeling? Now? After putting the album out? How are you feeling about your creative space?
Parvyn:
I feel really good. And it's comments like the one that you read out from my Dad that I've got their support, I have my parents support, and I have the people that are closest to me, they are helping me be that true authentic artist, and encouraging me to do that. And they, I guess, there's a trust thing as well that they trust me to still stay within the boundaries, because there are boundaries. And but that I, I'm a person that is comfortable with those boundaries, too. So I'm not going to overstep those boundaries. So I'm really, really proud of myself, I'm really happy with how things have gone. And with this record, it's feels like a relief as well, to finally get something that I've put my name to, instead of being Dya Singh’s daughter, or the mysterious lady in the Bombay Royale. It's just like this is Parvyn, and this is me. And after 36 years, it's nice to finally almost it's like a coming of age record, but later on in my life in a lot of ways. So, you know, I just I've got it out of my system now. And it feels really, really good. And I think what drove me to make this record is I did have all of this in my head, and I've had it there for so long, and the music, and I couldn't find that anywhere else as well. So it was like, if I wanted to hear this music, I had to make it.
Chelsea:
It's an incredible piece of work. And it's incredibly unique. And only Parvyn could have made that album. And that's one of the things I truly love about the record. And I think it really does sort of, you know, straddle these two worlds while being uniquely you. It's creating your own genre and your own mark. And that's so special. And we're also grateful that you've made the record, especially in this incredibly wild time that we've been having in the last two years. So can you tell me why you decided to put the album out during these times rather than kind of hold on to it and wait until touring was more of a possibility for you, because you're such a prolific touring artist. Why put it out when touring wasn't available?
Parvyn:
I think that if I sat on it for too long and held it back, I would have evolved as an artist already further and it wouldn't be relevant to me anymore. So if I was touring it, later on, I've already kind of over it. And so it wouldn’t make sense anymore, so I've just I made the music, I kind of I didn't rush it, I didn't hold it back, I just let it flow in a way that was comfortable. I mean, we I would meet with my producer online on Zoom every Monday during the lockdown in 2020. And it was like something that I looked forward to every week, it was like I'm still being useful, I'm still doing something active. And so it just, I did have to it's it's hard to make a record and put a record out. So I did have my my deadlines and my timelines and I just kind of stuck to it. I just thought that I am the resilience, you know, of being an artist during this time. I need to keep doing my job. And I need to just push through that. And there has been things like there's a film clip that's still coming from it. That's just it took, you know, a couple of rescheduling of being able to video it so it's all really late. But I'm Yeah, not too worried about timelines. And it's also uh, like doing the album launch, for example was six months after the album came out pretty much. So it's like, timeline I feel like it's a little less relevant at the moment. And once it gets ready once it feels good, if it's finished, if it's polished, and it's nice. I just kind of released it out into the world straightaway. Like I think it's worked fine because I already have now what I'm what I want to do next. So it's kind of like I've come back into touring, which, after two years of not touring and not performing I got really comfortable in my little space and my little kind of private bubble. And it is, you know, I think for a lot of artists, there's a lot of social anxiety that we kind of develop. I don't know why but and so it is hard to kind of remember that I can do my job well, because we haven't been doing it lots of when you do do that one live performance, and it's like, at your album launch, or it's the WOMAD festival. And that's the first gig that you've done. It's like there's no gig hardening before that. So that is quite terrifying. But I, I need to just believe and remember that I do know how to do this. There's muscle memory, and I've got this, it will come back, and it's there. And it will all be fun. I keep telling myself that anyway.
Chelsea:
So how did it feel? Putting the album out not being in the Dya Singh ensemble, not being the mysterious lady, being you? I mean, it's such a brave thing to do to step out of that and really show Parvyn. How did that feel?
Parvyn:
Terrifying but incredibly exhilarating at the same time, I feel free, I feel like there's a load off my shoulders, that I'm not pretending to be anyone else anymore. That I'm just, I’m me. And that's what I have to offer. And that if feel like it you like it if you don't like it, that judgment, but I'm feeling in a really safe space within myself at the moment and a confident space within myself. And doing things like this is only helping me get into that space more. I've been doing this for 30 odd, I've been performing on stages for a very, very long time. And sometimes I need to remind myself of that. But I am also stepping into those shoes better I'm finding now.
Chelsea:
So talking about confidence. That's something that is it's a word that's often used in the music industry to talk about women's role in the industry, that women are lacking in confidence. And that's what's holding us back in progressing further in the music industry. How do you find that confidence to work in such a difficult industry?
Parvyn:
I think becoming a mother has helped me realize that I am capable and that I know what I'm doing and I can, you know, I can, like looking after another human being inside that that is in such a vulnerable position and having that experience of like I can provide for this child. And I know that I'm a good mother that has helped in me not caring so much about what other people think of me. And being a mother and I think that there is more out there in the moment with social media and with media images, that changing of body image as well like that it's okay to be like be comfortable in your skin and everyone is beautiful. And that you can show that and be happy about who you are. So there is a changing narrative. I think that is happening. Which is great. Because I feel like that is helping me just yeah, I'm, I'm me I am all I can be I can't pretend to be anything else. And I think the unconditional love that you get from a child helps you with that, that it's like he doesn't care what I look like or anything like that he he loves me for who I am. And he thinks that I'm the most special person in the world. And so that helps. And that has helped me I think
Chelsea:
Can we talk a little bit about the Bombay Royale. That project was such a huge part of your career recording, touring and in this project you play the role of the mysterious lady can you tell us about her?
Parvyn:
She is fabulous. She is the massive personality she is in complete control of everything and everyone around her. She is incredibly intelligent. She's a larger than life but also I think what she's she's very skilled as well. Like she she knows how to kick ass when she needs to and she knows how to just like manipulate situations. She's a spy. She's a secret agent, right? So she's like creme de la creme of like, whatever that sort of top of the secret agent James Bond kind of thing, right? So anyway, because of This character that I've been playing for the last decade, it is really helped me take on more of those traits, I think which has been excellent for my feeling of self worth, and all those sorts of things. There was a time where it was separate that I did feel like I stepped into that role. And when I got on stage, I was her. But she wouldn't exist unless those traits were things that I could also be. Right like, being an actress, you you kind of connect with that fantasy, but it does exist within you and you can play those roles. So I don't know why she was called the mysterious lady. It was something that Andy Williamson, the skipper of the Bombay Royale, it was the name that he had, and I kind of went with it. And I loved it. I don't know if he knew how much of an impact it would make on me personally and as a performer, but it has been perfect for me and my development as an artist.
Chelsea:
So she's kind of like Parvyns equivalent of Beyonce and Sasha Fierce.
Parvyn:
Yes. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, she's just she's invincible. Which is awesome. And I think there's, there's a mysterious lady in all of us. And you can connect with that mysterious lady, and I encourage you to do so because she does exist within you. And yeah, I would, I would love everyone to find their mysterious lady in there. Somewhere.
Chelsea:
I had a teacher in high school who was trying to talk to us teenagers about, you know, feeling, feeling confident. And he said, You should visualize that you know, you're a superhero. And you get up in the morning and you put your cape on. And when you visualize that, put your cape on you instantly stand up a bit straighter. Put your cape on. So it's kind of like that. You get your mysterious lady on.
Parvyn:
But then I also think about what she is like behind closed doors and she's just like, She's a girl that also likes to be on her couch wrapped up in her doona drinking a cup of tea watching like rom coms. So it's, you know, it's it. Everyone's got lots of you know, it's multifaceted.
Chelsea:
Yes of course. Your time at the Bombay Royale was such an intense period of work with touring and recording and international appearances like Glastonbury Festival. What do you reflect on in that time? What was it like for you?
Parvyn:
It was fun. It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of love, as well, like the family that we created with the Bombay Royale, not just within our band and our management but also with our audience and with our supporters and our fans, like it was a movement almost like it's it's seen as a cult band now. But I just I am so grateful for those times that I had with them and they'll be lifelong family, like the relationships that you create with your band members is beautiful. And I just have lots of big brothers and, and sister Ros. So like I definitely was I guess it was very insular in lots of ways. And I do feel like I was protected a lot of the time with all my brothers around me and that I was there. And so it was a very safe space. It was very accepting and open for everyone to just be yourself and there's no judgement.
Chelsea:
I remember one show of the Bombay Royale with the inflatable giant elephant. Where is he now?
Parvyn:
He I think he lives in Andy’s shed. He does still exist. We had to make a new banner for him and stuff like that. His name is the colonel. Ah, yes. So he's in a suitcase for the moment. Might come out again one day, but like when we have just like, you know, barbecues or whatever, every once in a while. He'll just be like blown up and just be there. On the side. Well, we're just having barbecue.
Chelsea:
Brilliant. Do you have any favorite Bombay Royale moments? Was it Glastonbury that was televised on BBC or was it more one of the intimate shows?
Parvyn:
there's a few. One of my favorite moments that I can go back to, and just be so happy is we did a show at the Estonia house in Brunswick. Yeah. And it was a show that was put on by shadow, the cinema.,
Chelsea:
Shadow electric
Parvyn:
Shadow electric. And it was sold out. And there was an incredible crowd. I was pregnant at the time, but I didn't. I hadn't told anyone yet it was very early on. And so I was nauseous and not feeling well. And we'd done a show at Lorne the day before. And then we came back and we did this show. But there's this one song that we have called Wild stallion mountain. Yes. And there's a part of it that the music breaks down, and it stops for a moment. And there's a breather before, like, you know, a false ending type thing. And so we got to that part, and it stopped. And the audience just made so much noise. And they were just applauding and clapping and rooting. And it was just like this definite, deafening like crowd noise coming, I just couldn't keep going, like, I couldn't sing the next song because normally I'm like, wait for them to die down. But this was just intense. They were just like, kept going. The longer I waited, the more they like applauded as well. And so I was just, it was this moment of just like, I was almost in tears, kind of the love that we were getting this just wave of applause that was coming. And I. And yeah, I don't know how long the pause was. But it felt like a really long time. And I, but finally, I was like, Okay, guys, you need to continue to be quiet so that I can do the next bit. Otherwise, the band won't hear the cue for being able to come back into the song. And so yeah, we were on stage for quite a while and I was just laughing and giggling and all the bands are because they're waiting for me to start the next bit to then come back into the song again. So yeah, that was an incredible moment.
Chelsea:
Can you imagine what it was like for those bands like The Beatles, and you see that YouTube footage from? And it's just constant screaming the whole gig. It's like, how do they even do the show?
Parvyn:
Yeah, that might be irritating. This wasn't this only happened once.
Chelsea:
So you had your first baby, during your time with Bombay Royale. Can you share a little bit with us about navigating that time? I know personally, for me becoming a mum, two years ago, I was pretty terrified. My entire pregnancy, of just going oh, what have I done? You know, I'm excited about becoming a mum, but I was worried about my music career. And am I going to lose momentum? Do I become invisible now? Am I going to be able to navigate gigs and motherhood? How were you feeling about it? And do you think motherhood has impacted your creativity?
Parvyn:
Absolutely. I, When before I got pregnant I with my husband, I was trying to plan like when I would have the child in relation to the album cycle.
Chelsea:
Yep. Plan that in, for this date this year. Yep
Parvyn:
I absolutely, that didn't work. So the first and I had a miscarriage the first time. And so I think at that point I learned you can't plan these things. Like it's just got to happen. And I do feel like it made an impact of the momentum of the band when it happened. And but I definitely, I remember having conversations with Andy about it. And he was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you have a baby whenever you want to have a baby like absolutely do not. Do not think about the band in any way. So like I had a lot of support. Just like that shouldn't be an issue at all. You have a baby when you're ready to have a baby, and we'll deal with it. And we'll go around with it in saying that though. Yeah, that so I had Ravi in between the second and third album. But like more towards when the album was released. The third album, and yeah, everything did get harder at that point. And the Bombay Royale subsequently stopped playing as well. Like, it wasn't just me that having that extra logistics of having a child and the other members in the band. Everyone was kind of having kids and becoming a family kind of orientated a lot more and it impacted significantly in a way that we couldn't just kind of take off and go to Europe for a month and you know there was so much more to think about. And yeah, the band kind of fizzled a little bit from that. That's not the only reason. But I do feel like it was a contributing factor to it.
Chelsea:
I've read articles with you, where you've talked about festivals being particularly supportive of taking kids,
Parvyn:
I've had both there's been supportive, and then not really that, you know, that's like some some places are great with it. Others is just like, not helpful at all.
Chelsea:
What would you like to see change in the music industry to be more supportive of families, because this is a huge issue, especially for practicing artists that are female. So many women once they have kids, that's it for them. A lot dip out of making music altogether, which is why it's so incredible and so wonderful to see you launching a new chapter in your career as a solo artist post motherhood. That's actually quite rare. How can we make this ecosphere better? Because this shouldn't be an exception to the rule.
Parvyn:
Yeah, I guess, I mean, the way that my family dealt with it was just get your kid a part of the act on stage with you, and they go along for the ride, I think, generally speaking, it's okay. Like I, I have been, like my gig times and things like that having a late gig time, you just kind of think, oh, wouldn't you kind of not do that, so that, you know that I have a child with me, like it's wouldn't if it's during the day or a little bit earlier, for my gig time, it's easier for me, because, you know, he can be there with us. And he's quite capable looking after himself on the side of stage, and, but if it's a Late Show, then I'm going to need someone that can sit with him in the hotel or whatever like that at nighttime. So yeah, just being aware of it. And I think generally speaking, people are, but I've, for example, this solo project, I work with my husband, Josh, and I have worked with him, since we've been together for 15 years. And so with this project, there's, he's not on the album, except the last song Him and Robbie in the last song, but there's no guitar on the album, because I specifically made it so that I could have a project where he wasn't involved. It ended up that he is part of the band. And, you know, that's just it, just naturally, we kind of, I needed him to help me because I was in Adelaide, and then I had my Melbourne band, and I couldn't get the Melbourne band over because of lockdown. And the so they would have had to quarantine and so then I had to get an Adelaide band together. And so then I was like, Josh, can you help me with this, because you know, all the music anyway. So it's ended up that he is part of the band, but I tried. And I was very conscious of having a project where he wasn't involved to make it easier for us that, you know, one of us could be with Ravi. I think one of the things that when I had a child, the I enjoyed taking a step back, and not being the center of attention anymore like, I think there's an element of ego, which kind of gets stripped away, and you're like, Oh, I like just being, you know, Ravi's mum, and I like that. So I don't know, whether it is when that happens, this the sense of because you have to have some, like, ego, I suppose to be able to push to be a performer, right? Like, it takes a lot of that confidence and that courage and that, you know, just that drive to do the work because it's really hard work and you have to sell your stuff and so maybe it's women are less likely to want that as much after being a mother, which is why you don't see it as often. Perhaps. I'm just putting that out there. I don't know what, like you're a mother. What do you feel that kind of sense of like it's okay to take a step back and almost wanting a simpler life and that it would be okay if I was a library and then that's what I do.
Chelsea:
Yeah, I when I was pregnant, I sort of felt like there was this doomsday date coming where it was, things were going to change so significantly, there’d be the Chelsea that everyone knows. And then this new Chelsea, the mother where all my former life would just vanish away. So the whole pregnancy I was really hustling. I went overseas twice. I went interstate about five times. It's like I had this crazy bucket list. I've got to do all this before that baby comes. And then, you know, then I had our little son and kind of realized, actually, the world's still turning, and I can still do all of these things, it's just going to be, you know, a little bit trickier to navigate some of it. But that's just logistics. Nothing's impossible. But I think it gives you that sense of clarity or that sense of what's really actually important, what do I want to spend my time on, and cutting out things that actually weren't that important that I maybe felt obliged to do beforehand and was doing things I didn't really want to do. But I felt, you know, I had to be polite and say yes, all the time. Definitely that, but I was very much looking forward to looking after someone else, and not just being focused on me all the time. And having an opportunity to really give. And that's been really beautiful.
Parvyn:
In saying that, I feel like though I don't, I didn't need to be a mother to feel satisfied in life. Like, I do feel like music and that creativity that comes with it is a beautiful, beautiful thing. And that is satisfying enough. And I think about it, that being a mother, it's only a quite a short time in my life. And so I don't want to destroy everything else that I've worked for, because he will move on, and he will go on his way, and then I'll be left. And so I'm not attaching my self worth and all those sorts of things to my child, either I am a complete, independent person, and I haven't changed. If anything, I've just got more life experience, which is great, you know, like learning and that comes with age, whether or not you have the experience of being a parent or not. And so it's just one little thing, I don't think it's a big, big deal in, in some ways of because I'm satisfied as, as my work and my job and my career is a great life, just as it is without being a mother also.
Chelsea:
Yeah, I feel the same. I even felt the same about when I was single, versus having a partner. Just thought, you know, things are great, life's great if I meet someone fantastic. But that's not going to be the focus of my whole world. And it just so happened that I did meet someone who was amazing. And it was like, wow, well, now life's getting even better. And now we've added to that, and it's just great. But it's I think it's important to have that base to start with and feel good in yourself. Because if you I mean to quote Ru Paul. But if you can't love yourself, you know how are you going to love someone else? that thing. I think it's just such a great quote. So often in the music industry, it's just one thing to the next right. It's the single this the that the blah, blah, blah, the last couple of years is kind of put a bit of a handbrake on that. But do you celebrate the wins? How did you celebrate putting out the album?
Parvyn:
I'm not sure because it all happened online. So obviously, I've done my album launch now. And so that was the biggest celebration that I've ever tried to do. The biggest show that I've ever put on and I got all of I've got the Bombay Royale back together for it, I put out a call, I was like, help me come and help me celebrate my record. And so everyone came together and like that was, I guess, the official celebration, but when it actually came out, I just had a good time with my family. Like I just let it out and just hung out at home and, and I think it's it's just, it's a celebration in a way that I just I relaxed. I think that's how I celebrated I just was like, Okay, this is it's good, it's done. And yeah, I didn't make too much of a big deal of it. I think personally in my personal life because it's also still just my job, right? Like I am conscious of in my case, and I think for many people is if I the higher I go sometimes that means the lower I will go as well. So I'm trying to be more balanced in experiencing life on an even plateau and not getting too hyped up and because I feel like when I do that means that there'll be a dip coming afterwards.
Chelsea:
Wow. How do you go about that?
Parvyn:
Medication sometimes. But yeah, like I, It's something that I've noticed for me like if I hype something up too much. There's Yeah, the opposite will be soon to follow.
Chelsea:
It's quite an up and down journey, working in the music industry. And there are those huge highs and lows big lows and moving from project to project to project can be a complete recipe for exhaustion. And burnout is a huge part of you know, it's very common in the industry. For a lot of us to get quite burned out. I interviewed Kechi in LA last year who said she thinks the music industry loves to burn through vulnerable people. Do you agree with that statement?
Parvyn:
I don't think it does it intentionally. But it just happens. Yeah. Because it's a very exciting industry. And so you can get caught up in it. And, and it can be quite fun. And it can be, you know, you put yourself, your heart into your work into your art. And I think that's the only way to make good art is you really have to be authentic and give yourself it's you that if you kind of superficial about it doesn't really work so well. So in that way, the industry, Yeah, people who are vulnerable, kind of put themselves out there and then are open for getting taken advantage of or whatever, like, I don't know, I'm hopeful that the industry doesn't do it intentionally. But it does tend to happen for sure.
Chelsea:
I think one of the good things that's come out of the pandemic in the music industry, if you can consider this a good thing is that at least as more conversations happening now around mental health for artists, there was an incredible book that came out called can music make you sick, written by Sally Anne Gross and George Musgrave, which came out in March 2020. And part of that report revealed that out of the 1000s of musicians, they surveyed around 71% reported incidences of anxiety and panic attacks, and 68% 68.5% of respondents experiencing depression. So the research suggests that musicians could be up to three times more likely to suffer from depression compared to the general public. And that came out just before the pandemic really hit, which I think is really important, because we can't sort of just point the finger at COVID for everything, and acknowledge that it is a hard ecosphere to participate in and can take a real toll on artists, what do you think needs to happen in the music industry to be more supportive of artists?
Parvyn:
I feel like we need to cut the barriers of that superficial attitude, which sometimes happens within the industry as well to kind of be more open and honest with each other in a really accepting and non judgmental way. I do feel like there is competition vibes, which happens in the industry. And I just kind of want to get rid of that. Because there's that thing Valerie Core, who's a beautiful person from the state, she has this thing that you are a part of me that I do not yet know. And so seeing other people's successes and wins as being a good thing for the industry overall, and celebrating each other as being one and that we're all on the same team. Sometimes I don't feel that in the industry. I don't know if you've had like that sort of experience. But I would like to get to a point where we can all be brothers and sisters and that we're we're all in this together. And we can all support each other doing this and building each other up in a really loving, unconditionally loving way.
Chelsea:
I'd really like to chat to you about your experiences from that female perspective. Is there any specific time that you remember thinking you were treated differently? Because you're a woman in the industry?
Parvyn:
Yes. I try not to hold on to those moments very much. I have a very selective memory. And so if things like that have happened, I kind of just blow them aside and go okay, and then just like move on. I mean, I know there are definitely people who like with your experiences for example, I know you've had moments where people have said oh you have to lose weight to be able to get gigs and all those sorts of things. I for me, I have had slight comments like that or even people you know, that might be less willing to give me the gigs because they know that I'll have extra baggage of my son to be part of it and all those those like having to take that along. I do feel that definitely. But I try and be resilient and just like not let it get me down.
Chelsea:
That's all you can do. Really. Yeah. For John.
Parvyn:
For John and I also Uh, like, I've had moments where people have tried to take advantage of me at festivals or whatever. And I just really try and tow the line of, I treat everyone as like for males as uncles and brothers in the industry, and I kind of try and have that relationship connected straightaway, so that they accept me as that. And hopefully they treat their sisters well, which not everyone does. Because there's a lot of examples of that in the world, which I know. But I yeah, I've tried to help hold myself and present myself in that way, when there's been the male gaze and all that sort of thing. So it's kind of like, it's your responsibility to make me feel comfortable. Because I am, you know, I am yours. I'm part of your clan and your family. So I think that's how I've dealt with it. Mostly, it's just like, you're my bros, man. You're my bro.
Chelsea:
Yeah, we're all in it together.
Parvyn:
Yeah. We're all in it together and you need to help me do this in a way that is comfortable, because it's your responsibility as a man to look after me also.
Chelsea:
You're gonna perform a song for us in a wee bit that I'm super excited about. But we did promise our wonderful audience that if they had any questions, they could get part of the action. Put your hand up, if you'd like to ask Parvyn a question Yes. What sort of music is coming next? Oh, yes, what is coming next, musically, Parvyn.
Parvyn:
It's still a dream. And I will speak to you guys about it as well. Chris Stone is there, an incredible violinist and arranger, I would like to do a Sikh spiritual record. And I would like to incorporate strings I would like I'll start with a string quartet. And hopefully that will spread out to an orchestra. That's in my head, I have this vision and again, it's the same thing of like, I have this music in my head that I can't find anywhere else it hasn't been done anywhere else. And so I'm just putting that out there. That Um, yes, having Gurbani is what it's called, It's a Sikh spiritual music. But having that with with an orchestra would be an incredible thing.
Chelsea:
You've worked with a lot of hip hop artists. Yeah, I'm waiting for the mysterious ladies. Trap release.
Parvyn:
I have tried to rap. And it's not me. I'm I'm okay with that. And I am okay with it not being me.
Chelsea:
Yes.
Audience member:
In your experience, especially as a woman and as a minority. Is there a difference? (continues asking question)
Parvyn:
Yeah. So the difference between being a solo artist and being in a band of that nature is that the onus is up to you to get the work done. And you are in control of the project. So I am completely self managed. I don't have a record label, I don't have a booking agent. So I'm doing it all myself. As the first time that I've done that. I've definitely been part of managing things like the Bombay Royale. And even with my dad, I used to tour manage when we used to go overseas. And so I have that experience. But this time, it's like me, if the work, if I don't do the work, it's not gonna get done. And I don't have anyone else to fall back on. So the responsibility of the success of it is up to me putting in the work to get it done.
Chelsea:
But was it also really beautiful not to be in a democratic situation where you could just make every decision and not get the opinion of eight other people?
Parvyn:
Absolutely. That was it was so good. It's just like, I don't have to ask anyone what, you know what I'm going to put this what lyric I'm going to put here, I can decide exactly what it should be. And to start off with, I had to get used to that to that it was like this is my decisions. This is no one's telling me what to do here. And also no one. I'm not trying to fulfill anyone else's vision with the Bombay Royale and with Dya Singh like I played a role in those whereas this is I've created the role I've created, what it should be and no one else knows what it should be. And so I have to be the one that does that. And it's yeah incredibly exhilarating to just be able to do what I want
Chelsea:
And I think we're all ready for a live song if you could please do us the honours.
Parvyn:
Absolutely.
I'd like to acknowledge the ancestors, my ancestors and ask for their blessings to be able to perform this music for you today. I come from such a rich heritage and so this is my Ode to forgotten stories forgotten characters. This is Jada who was a goddess from South India who if you ask most Indians they have also forgotten her. So this is my tribute to The Goddess.
Chelsea:
Thank you so much for joining us here, our very first live edition of the control podcast with my incredible guest, Parvyn. Please make sure you follow the control podcast, on Instagram or facebook, follow Parvyn on all of her social channels, please subscribe to the control podcast on your preferred podcast platform. We'll be back here on Friday night interviewing Ali McGregor. Love to see you there. But please join us now in the foyer saying Hi to Parvyn, pick up a copy of her album Sa. Take care we'll see you next time. Thank you so much. Thank you and goodnight.
This episode of control is brought to you by Melbourne recital centre where live music lives. Melbourne recital centre inspires our community through music, presenting and hosting hundreds of concerts each year traversing all genres of music from Baroque to post rock. Discover more at Melbourne recital.com.au
