Somaya’s love for music spurred when she started playing the piano at just four years old. At age 11, Somaya began playing the guitar. For Somaya, music wasn’t just noise, music opened a gateway to mental and emotional healing. Now, she shares her music with the world.
HC: What was your first experience with music like? What song/band sticks out the most to you from your childhood?
Somaya: “I actually grew up listening to a lot of Bollywood music. I didn’t really start listening to any American music until around fourth grade, but I remember one of the first American pop songs I loved was ‘Everytime We Touch’ by Cascada.”
HC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in the music industry?
Somaya: “I think I discovered how deep my passion for music was around 13.”
HC: What can listeners expect to hear from the music you make? (Like what message/feel are you hoping to get across to your listeners?)
Somaya: ” They can expect honesty. I try to be as open as possible with my lyrics, whether that be in singing about mental health, social issues, or sexuality.”
HC: Describe your music in three or four words (genre, mood, tone, etc.):
Somaya: “Honest, emotional, and powerful.”
HC: Musically, who inspires you the most? (This can be another artist, family member, religious figure, etc.)
Somaya: “Artistry wise, Halsey is a big inspiration because of the rawness of her music. But what inspires me to write my songs the most is what I see going on around me and how I experience the world.”
HC: What do you think your “biggest break” or “greatest opportunity” has been so far in your musical career?
Somaya: “I think being able to make my album with Matt Bronleewe as my producer was really cool. He’s so respected in the music world and has worked with a lot of big people, so it’s a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him.”
HC: What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Somaya: “It was definitely a learning process to understand the importance of flexibility and to know that the journey of my career isn’t going to be exactly like the picture I had in my head when I was 16.”
HC: What does your 5-year plan entail? What are your goals, and where do you hope to be?
Somaya: “In five years, I’d love to be doing music full time and to have grown my fan base more.”
HC: Have you been involved in any type of benefit performances or fundraiser performances/events? If so, what was it and how did you become involved?
Somaya: “I have sung for a couple charity events. I’m very open on social media and in real life about my passion for activism, so I think people who know me and are running charity events know they can reach out to me to perform for them.”
HC: What would you say is your favorite part of being in the music industry?
Somaya: “I love having the freedom to be creative.”
Follow Somaya on social media @somayamusic for updates and snippets of new songs!