Hi Prianca! Thanks for your time. Could you start by introducing yourself and tell us what got you into music?

Hey! You’re welcome, thanks for having me. I’m Prianca RA, I’m a British-Indian singer and songwriter. Music has always been the constant which has uplifted me. As a kid I always used to love singing to the radio or singing at school… I guess that’s where my love of singing started. I became more involved in music during Sixth Form where I led my school musical and really enjoyed performances. At university I also led a music society and performed on campus. I got into songwriting and making my own songs when I went through a mental health crisis and found that writing my feelings down helped me to come to terms with what I was going through at that time.

You’ve just released a new track titled ‘Buried Myself Alive’. Can you take us through the creative process behind that song?

Yes of course. I wrote ‘Buried Myself Alive’ last year. I was at my lowest point in 2019, and the song is about how I felt when I felt helpless and vulnerable. I felt broken inside and I couldn’t seem to process what I was going through. I thought about ending it all as I just couldn’t see a way out. After harbouring past trauma for so long I let it out and knew I needed help otherwise I wasn’t going to make it through. Talking to my family, listening to music and getting professional help saved my life. This song is about my lowest point, I talk about not wanting to fight all the trauma in my mind. I want to highlight that having suicidal thoughts doesn’t make you weak. It is important to raise awareness, it’s something people can go through at any point. I want to emphasise that there’s always help out there, someone who wants to listen, support and help you.

Mental health awareness is at the centre of your music – Is it important for you to talk about your personal experience and empower others regarding mental struggles?

Absolutely, I started making my own music because it was a release for me, it gave me an outlet to write my thoughts down and come to terms with what I was going through. I want to show my listeners and fans that it’s okay to talk, talking and admitting you need help doesn’t make you weak. We live in a word where social media and seeing friends and family, even people we don’t really know, sharing stories, sharing posts about their ‘lives’ affects us – even when we don’t know it affects us that much. It can stir up negative feelings of ‘oh other people’s lives are so much better than mine’ and I want to show that that’s really not the case, people can display a persona and be suffering too. That’s why I’m so open about my mental health struggles. I want to be real and I want to show that mental health issues eg. depression and anxiety are more common and talked about now, so let’s speak about them.

If you had one message to give to your fans, what would it be?

What is your dream collaboration? (They might read us ;))

Ans: I’ve always been a fan of Olly Alexander’s music (from Years & Years). I’d love to collaborate with him. His voice is so soulful and has this amazing tone which I fall in love with every time I listen to it. Olly, if you’re reading this, hit me up! Haha

What’s coming next?

I’ve recorded a lot of music for release in 2023 and beyond. I’m also constantly thinking, writing and coming up with new ideas. I have some more up tempo music which I will release soon, even a Bollywood-style song! I have some more songs about my Fireland, the place I was in during the lowest point in my life, so I’ll definitely be releasing those! I look forward to seeing out the end of 2022 with friends and family and I look forward to releasing more music in 2023!