“Music, indeed, is the quickest way for us to come together and drop the armor. It’s a universal language. I like to sing and chant in the ancient language of Gurmukhi, which comes from the Sanskrit language.” − Simrit Kaur
The music that Simrit Kaur shares has been said to be a “sacred worship of the divine” rather than a performance. Her sound is authentically unique, technically remarkable, and highly experiential. Although referring to it as her “sound” doesn’t feel quite expansive enough. I ended up at Simrit’s concert by the suggestion of my mom, whose taste I trust, but even with her rave reviews of the show, I was still surprised by the experience. “You just have to see it” was repeated to me in earnest, and those words have since come out of my own mouth as well.
Simrit is a teacher of Kundalini Yoga and Naad Yoga, as well as a level II Reiki practitioner. As an artist she incorporates ancient chants into music that has been referred to as punk rock. The sound produced by her and her bandmates feels otherworldly at times, and thanks to the timeless words, it also feels very human. Necessary even. Pieces of the music come forth as singular and pointed while other portions are deeply layered and even boisterous at times. Some of the songs are long enough to get completely lost in, which I certainly did.
Surely everyone would have a different experience of seeing Simrit live. But to give you an idea of the sort of experience I’m talking about, the guy next to me was crying the whole time, and I meditated for half of it. After immensely enjoying the unique Saturday night activity, I felt like interviewing her was a natural next step.
THE INTERVIEW
Q: I’m interested in your background in music as well as spirituality. How did you find yourself experiencing each of those and turning music into a career? Was it always a parallel path or did they come together at a later point in time? Were you a natural musician?
A: Although I have always been a natural musician (always close with melody and rhythm), music was never my plan as a career growing up, even though I studied piano, drums, and vocals from a very young age. I always sang very deep and mystical Byzantine music in the Greek Orthodox church choir growing up, and I started studying piano and snare drum at the age of 7. Then, as I got into middle school, I started studying voice. Music has always been spiritual for me, since the beginning. There is not a separation of music and “spiritual” music, although many people like to talk like that. All of the women in my birth line are and were singers, so I have it in my DNA. I originally studied in college to become a nutritionist and naturopathic doctor, but as soon as I got pregnant with my son, the course of action changed for me, and then I became a full-time recording and touring musician…while also being a full-time mother and wife. I love how these two lifestyles co-exist together for me. It’s very fulfilling.
Q: How would you describe your music style?
A: I don’t have a music style. My music is what it is. It is ever-changing, and no one is really ever to pin it down, which is what I like. It has a mind and life of its own. I love that about it. People always describe it as haunting, hypnotic, deep-groove, and mystical….so whatever that’s worth…
Q: Music seems like a pretty natural way to quickly spread around goodness. Can you tell me about healing through music and what it does to chant ancient and sacred words?
A: Music, indeed, is the quickest way for us to come together and drop the armor. It’s a universal language. Healing through music can happen with any kind of music for anyone. I like to sing and chant in the ancient language of Gurmukhi, which comes from the Sanskrit language. This language of Gurmukhi comes from the Northwestern corner of India in the Punjab, and it literally creates new thought patterns in the mind and creates new neural pathways in the brain. This language is meant to liberate consciousness in the sense that it opens a person to themselves and the reality of their potential, which is being a real human being…compassionate and understanding of oneself and others. It doesn’t mean that we never feel challenge. Nor does it mean we are perfect. It does, however, help us to utilize the challenge for growth and well-being, and that feels good. We also have more access to good feelings when we sing and chant.
Q: Do you have any specific musical influences, other people in your life who have significantly influenced your experience and path?
A: Oh for sure. I have been heavily influenced by the mystical Byzantine and folk music of Greece, my home country. It’s in my blood. I’ve also been influenced by some American artists growing up. I have influences from artists in so many different genres, it would be so hard to include them all here. Genuine music and artistry is what I’m inspired by. That’s not always what you get in the music world (doesn’t matter what “genre” it is), so when you do get genuine artistry, it’s always very healing and refreshing…and inspiring.
Q: I had a really beautiful experience at your Santa Monica concert. As soon as I sat down I could feel the energy, but maybe halfway into the show went into a deep meditative state with a lot of movement feelings in my third eye. Do you have any stories about experiences that people have shared with you?
A: That’s a really neat experience you had. Some people tell me that they have cleansing experiences with the music…that the music helps them to purge, for some reason. Some people tell me that they feel really elated like they took a drug, during and after the concerts. I’ve had people tell me they can’t drive right after the concert because they feel like they are floating or in some other world. Some people have told me that the music wasn’t what they expected and was too loud for them or too intense, and it should be like this person’s or this style. Others say it sounds amazing and perfect and they wish we would have played longer. I’ve had people tell me that their ailments have ceased during the music (even someone with a burned arm from a fire) and that the pain lessened way after the concert. People have come up to me crying and saying they had really profound and deeply moving experiences. It’s a trip…really. There is no right or wrong opinion, but it sure is interesting to hear about different people’s experiences and sometimes expectations.
Q: How did you find your bandmates (who are absolutely incredible)? Anything fun to know about them?
A: They are absolutely incredible, aren’t they! I feel so happy and grateful to be playing together with such world-class and kind human beings and musicians. Really, everyone is a gem in the band. Here is one fun fact about each band member: Salif Bamakora has studied the kora (21-string gourd instrument) in Mali, West Africa, for about 20 years now with world-renowned kora players from very respected kora lineages. Shannon Hayden (who plays cello and guitar through her massive spaceship of a pedal board) was a child prodigy cello player who graduated from Yale school of music with her masters at a young age (she skipped her bachelors all together, as Yale put her straight into their master’s program). Jared May (bass) is a Southern gentleman who studied jazz in college and majored in music, and he answers his questions with “Yes’m.” Hahaha! Tripp Dudley is from Montgomery, AL, and he grew up playing drums and then studied percussion at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Tripp, Jared, and I were all raised in the good ol’ South.
Q: You compose and produce, anything interesting about that experience?
A: Yes, I compose, produce, and I also manage. I love working my business, and I also love being an artist. I’ve come to the realization that my business is a part of my art. There are many interesting aspects about the experience of being an artist who runs her own business and travels the world, but the most interesting experience about it to me is how interesting people are. It never ceases to amaze me.
Q: What is next for your personal music career? Do you sign other artists to your independent label? Any visions or plans that you’re in the process of developing?
A: My first live album is about to be released at the end of November 2018, and I’m working on a new studio album. I have my year all booked out with another international and North American tour. I definitely am looking forward to helping some amazing musicians make their way in this wild music world through my independent label. There are plenty of visions and plans, but for now, I’ll keep those close to my heart and continue to work relentlessly to bring more art to y’all.
Q: I’d also love to hear a bit about the workshops that you do.
A: The Supreme Sound Workshops I give are about connecting with your own, unique voice through ancient yogic techniques and vocal exercises that help to expand, refine, and open the voice…whether you are a singer or not doesn’t matter. This is about true confidence that no one or thing can shake. It’s about cultivating supportive thoughts and habits in life that support a feeling of well-being and contentment. It’s about boosting the immune system and overall good feelings through the unique quality of your own voice. These workshops are fun, invigorating, fresh, and inspiring.
— Written by Kate Ferguson