GET 2 KNOW: SIJYA

Artist/ DJ name:

Sijya

Location:

New Delhi, India

How would you describe your sound?

…rough around the edges, fuzzy, imperfect, sad (lol).

Could you tell us a bit about when + how you got started:

I was always interested in music, but from a distance, as a listener–I hadn’t ever been in music rooms as a kid, you know? I’m actually a trained graphic designer. After school, I found myself doing a lot of graphic design work in the alternative music space in India.

It’s then that I came across some Selector Pro Ableton workshops for women in music in New Delhi (organised by the online underground music magazine Wild City).

There I saw a DAW for the first time, and because I’d been working a lot with software for graphic work anyway, I felt like–okay–I can work this. That’s kind of how it all started. It’s almost like I needed a womxn only space to allow myself to play with music.

First music / artist that inspired you?

I’d always had a relationship with music as a major listener but I think the first time I got excited about experimentation with music was when I discovered (rather late) the last albums of The Beatles. It’s a thing I say, that I grew up with The Beatles. But it really is true.

What are some tracks from the past year that find yourself returning to?

There’s been so much incredible music that’s come out last year. I think the Tirzah record was an incredible one. It got released while I was on tour in the UK, and I actually got to see her and Mica Levi perform the record at the Colour Factory in London. It was an incredible moment. In India, I don’t always get to see a lot of the international artists I love live, definitely not close to their releases. So it was an incredibly thrilling.

I also do an annual roundup playlist of my favourite music by womxn musicians and producers–last year’s playlist called ‘2023 is the year of womxn (like all years ever)’

Some tracks from that below:

F22 - Tirzah

DJ Drop - Klein

Obsession 2 - Inga Copeland

Heavy Cream - Machine Woman

The one tune you’ve got on repeat right now is…?

Nice Town - Metronomy

Cannot wait for the EP that this one’s from!

One piece of advice you’d give to budding DJs / creatives:

It’s okay to be lost, and sometimes take path that feels easy to move forward. The only important thing is to move forward.

Any new projects you’re currently working on that we can look forward to later this year?

I just finished writing an EP! I cannot wait for it to be out in the world, and OFF my desktop. We’re not sure yet when that will be. But it’s now time to build the visuals around it!