Singer/songwriter/producer Sid Sriram joins host Mike Adam today for a special Audacy LIVE performance and interview from the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City ahead of the release of his new English-language album, Sidharth, arriving July 28.
LISTEN NOW: Audacy Check in with Sid Sriram
Sriram, 33, was born in Chennai, India, and had moved to the San Francisco/Bay Area suburbs at just a year old, going on to graduate from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Production and Engineering, and has spent most of his time since creating fantastic soundscapes and songs in the world of Indian film music.
Now considered one of the most popular Bollywood singers of the past decade, his new English-language album Sidharth, recorded in Minneapolis with support from producer Ryan Olson and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, will be arriving on July 28 featuring his latest singles, "Do The Dance," and "Dear Sahana."
Speaking about the feelings of positivity and happiness that Sid's music brings to so many, he tells Mike he remembers his mother being the first singing voice in his life that "guided and instilled that spirit of gratitude, love, spirituality, and all of it... As I got older," he adds, "there were voices of R&B/Soul artists of the past like Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway. Those were some voices that really kind of stuck with me in a deep way and also maybe were the guiding spirit for me to really instill that in myself." Indian composer A.R. Rahman has also been a major force in his life, he admits. "Although he's a composer," Sid says, "his singing has always struck a deep chord with me."
As the album release approaches, Sid is confident that his sound will translate just fine to new listeners without ever needing to adjust for the audience. "Where the world is at... they are very welcoming of things that don't necessarily very cleanly fit in one specific box. And then... this album just feels so uniquely what it is, and it's a statement, so it's not ambiguous. It does traverse different spaces and genres and such but in a very specific, clear, unique way."
"I think you have to hold people's hands sometimes for them to understand," he says, "but all that requires is clarity... and this album is full of clarity."
After his chat, Sriram stuck around to perform and tell the stories behind a few tracks, including "Shoulda Been There," "Do The Dance," "Stance," and "Dear Sahana." Sid is also set to support Bon Iver on the road this August also with Poliça. Check out the full list of dates and grab your tickets right HERE.
Don't miss Sid Sriram's full Audacy LIVE performance and interview above, and stay tuned for even more conversations with your favorite stars and artists right here on Audacy.
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