Great to have you on Xttrawave. Please, introduce yourself? (artist/band name-any special meaning to it and where you’re from)
I am PRVNA, which is pronounced Praveena and is how you spell my name. It means queen and is a Sri Lankan name but I am Mauritian! I am a South London girl.
What got you into music and made you realize that it was your chosen path?
I always wanted to be a “singer” or “win the lottery” I can hear my five-year-old self say! I am very academic and took that route with education although I took Drama AS Level in Sixth Form.
I did not have the confidence to do it and in 2016 I broke up with my ex, cut off my hair again and went to Peru for some soul searching. It came to me in the jungle that I have only one life and I should chase my dreams.
Tell us about your new single ‘Fever’
Fever is feel-good, fun and flirty! ‘Fever’ tells the story many of us have of dating the wrong kind of boy- very much loving it- but not taking him too seriously because he ain’t good for ya!
I wrote in one session and just had a blast dancing all over the place and delving back into memories I haven’t thought about for ages! The video is colourful and groovy and captures the retro vibe of the song.
What makes your music unique? And how would you describe it?
Ooh! What a question! Unique because we all are as people so how could we not be artists? My music represents my South London roots, I have always made a thing about keeping my London accent and not swaying towards an American one- so nice that British music is so big right now.
I have an English Literature degree (as well as Modern History) – and the thing you can always expect to hear is a story! I am a songwriter- singer – 100%. My need to share a story, get gut-wrenchingly honest about my life and my thoughts and share it with people will always come first. Rnb, soul, neo soul, electronic, dance – I have so many sounds I am exploring and playing with but I would say these!
Do you play any instruments? And why do you love it?
I am currently taking piano lessons and trying to learn how to accompany myself!
How is your creative process when recording music? And what makes a good recording session?
It different all the time.
I used to write lyrics first and find melody afterward but I have seen that change. Now its humming melodies – securing them first – then finding the lyrics – once you can kill a melody on a pre-chorus and distinguish between that and the chorus the rest sort of writes itself tbh.
A good recording session is both you and the producer finding and loving what you have created, its the nuances – the special quirky kooky sounds and the mistakes that become the centre of the song! It is the buzz and the inevitable happy dance that you may both have!
Who are your biggest musical influences? And any particular artist/band you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Laura Marling, Bob Marley, J Cole, FKJ. I would love to collaborate with J Cole he is my idol he taught me to be honest and vulnerable and wear your heart on your sleeve regardless.
Which is the best moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of?
I played Notting Hill Arts Club last year with this an amazing drummer who is now back in Nigeria and when we performed it felt spiritual. I lost myself and when I got off stage I felt like I was going to faint and I realised I was truly present. People speak about singers being messengers and I did feel like one, I delivered my messaged and my truths and I entered a different realm.
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or tours?
The second single in October and more live shows. I am doing a really interesting fusion sound project with Santana Mongolie and his band and we are fusing my neo-soul sound with a rumba Congolese sound our first showcase is September 27th at Grow in Hackney.