I am a singer-songwriter-pianist originally from Surrey, London, with a Filipino and Sri-Lankan descent. I went to SS Peter & Paul RC Primary School, St Augustines RC School and later in life, Dudley Music College. I originally wanted to be an Archeologist/Geologist/Scientist as a youngster, intrigued with nature and curious about how the world works. My mum really wanted me to get involved with music/the arts. She started me at a Singing/Dancing and Drama group called 'Stage Coach' from 6-7years old, then decided to pay for weekly keyboard lessons next to my school, at the age of 9. When I first had keyboard lessons in my early years, I was beginning to read and write music. My first tune I learned I think was a nursery rhyme - either that or a childs rendition of 'Fur Elise'. I was enjoying my lessons, and I could understand the basic terminology of chords, notes and rhythm. However I stopped taking lessons when I moved to Yorkshire at the age of 13. From then I was drawn to music after learning how to play the keyboard, which led me to take Music as a subject at school. It was that which gave me a chance to put my first composition together for a GSCE project, called "Love again" at the age of 16. Initially, I didn't think much of the song until my music teacher, Mr Baron, heard it and told me to record it in a professional studio. So I took his advice, aswell as performing my song at events and competitions, which always had positive feedback. 

Over the years my style has grown alot, influenced by different artists I was jamming to, but I personally wouldn't like to box my style into one genre. I like to think that all music is genreless, limitless, and free. But if my style was to be categorized, I would say it was a blend of RnB/Soul/Hip-Hop/Jazz. My memory isn't always the best, but I do remember the old records that use to play in and around the house was Bob Marley & the Wailers, which my dad use to love singing along to, aswell as alot of his Tamil music. My first ever CD I owned was Pink's 'I'm Not Dead' album, when I was about 13. I pestered my mum to get it for me for ages. I don't know what drew me to her amongst all the other artists I hadn't even discovered yet, but I just loved everything about her - her voice, her emotionally captivating songs and her general badass attitude. 

I think music does run in the family to a degree. Firstly, being a half Filipina, it's manditory to own a Karaoke machine! It's typically a tradition for families & friends to get together, eat good food and belt out some ballads, as my mum always loves to do. But the more 'musical' one would be my dad. He would always sing around the house, and record into cassette players songs in his own native language (Tamil), and even (hilariously) get me to record the 'female' parts in the song when I was a toddler. He would collect sound systems, record and sing at people's partys and weddings. He was also a huge Bob Marley fan & would always blast him in the car with the windows down. I admire him not just because of his voice, but because of his love & energy for music. He reassures me that life isn't always to be taken seriously, and to always remember "Rich is in your heart, health is your investment." My sister also sings but more so as a hobby. She also taught herself to play the guitar and Ukulele, and we sit and sings songs together now and then, either on the piano or the guitar, which is awesome.

Over the course of my life, I've discovered alot of different artists, and the ones I admire for different reasons are too many to name.. ranging from D'Angelo, Brandy to Damian Marley! But I guess the ones who stand out to me the most & have positively impacted the world, would be artists such as Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Prince.. all of whom share something in common. Their realness and honesty in what they believe in, their transparency through their music, the emotion they potray through their unique voices and their natural passion to fully express their art. I do also admire great rappers such as Kendrick Lamar, Ab Soul, Nas, Damian Marley, Biggy Smalls, Spek Won, Teo.. - all of whom shed much light & creativity in abundance, positivity, empowerment, but also again, the real issues people face, being in a world of hate against love, war against peace, disaster and corruption. I am inspired by people with a voice, people who have substance in their lyrics and show great musicianship & love in their art. However some new (and old) artists I've recently discovered and am really in love with, is NAO, Anderson Paak, Tank And The Bangaz and although she has been well-known for some time, and I myself don't know why I've only just heard her album.. but Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopez is now a huge favourite of mine.

I would love to work with musicans such as John Mayer, one of the most skilled guitar players with an equally enticing songwriting skills and voice. Tayuka Kuroda, I am in love with his jazzy Trombone melodies and musical arrangements. And Kendrick Lamar, for his general artistry, both lyrically and musically. It would also be a dream to work with Electronic/R&B/Funk/Soul infused producers such as Tom Misch, Mr Carmack, J Dilla and Kaytranada. Something about incorporating different styles into something colourful and new is special to me in music.

I'd like to say I've learned atleast one thing from each musician I've heard, watched or met personally. Whether it be appreciating their energy, musical drive, character or opinions - positive of negative. You can always learn something from someone, nomatter who they are or what they believe.

The internet in the music business is a tricky subject. The pressure to maintain yourself as an artist and your music on the internet can be challenging. I believe that the internet has become 'essential' in this current fast-paced social world. Although I feel there is just as importance if not more, in seeing and appreciating a live performance, and not get too boxed into or moulded into what the internet expects of you as an artist or human being. There is alot of pressure and alot of internet battles people face, some driven by money and some by art, but I think a healthy balance of both internet and one on one interaction is important, for the right of the artist and their artistry. The internets dope in ways of spreading your music to people through a wider range of platforms, that can potentially help your fanbase grow, but I feel as though there is something more special and more powerful in being completely 'present' at a gig, and having a unique experience that in comparison, no virtual reality video you replay online can give you. 

I also enjoy studio/jamming sessions with good, creative people. What makes a good session can be one of two things, getting yourself in the zone by being fully-focused and ready to tackle what needs to be done, OR being completely oblivious to what's about to happen, and leaving it in the hands of creativity. Unpredictability in a session I LOVE, because if everyone is all on the same wavelength, we can just mix up different ideas and jam out & see where the music takes us.  

When I'm practising at home, depending on what kind of day it is, what my plans are or whether I'm inspired by something/someone, I'll practice going over recently-learned songs, or most likely just connect my ipod to my speakers and jam over any random songs in my playlist. Or if I'm in the zone, I'll pick a Hip-Hop beat and start writing a verse/hook to it, or even go on my ipad and make a beat, or remix an existing song. Depending on my mood, I'll practise playing for a few minutes and get drawn away, or a few hours if I'm really in the zone or wanna get my energy/feelings out. In all honesty, music usually makes alot of my day. If I'm walking to the shop, in the shower or on public transport I always make sure I have my headphones in. If I'm not listening to music, I'll try to write, or practice some new & old songs for gigs I have lined up.

I am currently transitioning the release of my forthcoming EP "11:10", as well as working on my next project, my album. I chose the title "11:10" because firstly the number 11 connects with me not only in numerology, but in certain things have occurred in my life that had great significance with the number. There are different interpretations to what '11' or '11:11' means to different people, but to me it relates to awareness (self or other) new beginnings or simply that I'm on the right path to where I need to be. Whether it's accurate or not, I certainly believe every chain of events I've been through has shaped me into the person I am now, whereas when I wrote my EP, I was still discovering alot about myself, confused and often steered into cloudier or skeptically regretful paths. So "11:10'' to me basically is my life before, or atleast transitioning into the part where I found my true self, before I grew a little more wiser, but also before my life reached it's ultimate peak on the mountain, learning about a real, new kind of heartbreak and love.

When it came to life, I was always trying to figure it out. There were issues I dealt with in my personal life of course growing up from a child into my teens. Although I would say, the biggest thing I had to overcome was just accepting and loving myself for who I am. In my life I've struggled with anxiety, depression and balance of my own true spirit. But eventhough I've had some confusing, sporadic moments along the way, my journey has been colourful and insightful as I've learned from every situation & person. I will continue to grow, laugh & love because I believe what you attract into your life is a reflection of how you think and who you are. 

When it comes to performances, I do get nervous on stage but usually more during the 'lead up' to it. Round about every year I am invited to perform at Filipino Festivals in the UK, most of the time in Ripon, York, but sometimes in places like Newcastle. I also do Weddings or Birthdays if I am asked, or perform songs with my friends who are also musicians, which is always alot of fun because we can be as chill or hype as we want. I'm definitely more relaxed when performing with friends or other musicians. I do now and then mess up on stage, it happens! But if I get a lyric wrong or more accurately, forget the lyric completely, I'll usually cover it up with adlibs and just pray noone noticed! But mostly, I just carry on singing like nothings happened.

If I had to give advice to beginners who get nervous, as cliche as it sounds, try to fully relax, take a deep breathe before performance. OR pretend you are confident and it will eventually manifest into confidence nomatter what situation or atmosphere. "Fake it til you make it". I try to break the tention by speaking to the audience before I sing, whether it be a few words or a little joke. Makes the atmosphere more comfortable for me and hopefully the audience too!

My current plans for the future is to continue making music, learning about other genres, meeting musicians and being inspired by life experience and things I am passionate about - music, art, nature, good people and positive energy. I would like to eventually inspire others to embrace their own creativity and passions, be the best version of themselves and promote positivity, love and peace between all life, but also keep my music true to myself through life experiences, with no limitations on my musical expression. Before I leave the planet, I would like have travelled around the world atleast once. Meet different people, live, understand & appreciate other cultures & traditions, and maybe even learn some languages, starting with both my parents' native languages.