India is booming with talent and singing is just one of the many creative fields that draw in aspiring artists year after year. In a space where the competition is cut-throat and new talent is always on the anvil, how does one make a mark not just as a professional singer, but as a commercial success, too.
This week, The Channel 46 caught up with Belgian-born British Indian singer-songwriter Raveen Mehta. The talented artist has given some phenomenal singles in the past, including lending her vocals to the female acoustic version of Tiger Shroff’s single ‘Casanova’. Here, she talks about what brought her to this phase in her journey and shares some advice for up-and-coming artists who want to make it in the world of music as singers.
1. What’s your educational & professional background?
I graduated with BA (Hons) in Fine Art from the Goldsmiths University of London. Prior to that, I did my foundation program at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design. I completed high school at the American School of Bombay.
I began my music career with an album launch in 2010 titled ‘From Deep Within’. I was just 12 years old. The album was a success and this lead me to continue studying and practising music. In 2020, I released the song Yaadein with Avitesh Shrivastava, son of late composer Aadesh Shrivastava. From there on, I worked on songs with Rishi Rich, Rishabh Kant, and Rahul Jain to name a few.
2. What prompted you to become a singer?
I grew up listening to the greats, both Indian and global artists. I was inspired by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Lata Mangeshkar, and Shreya Ghoshal.
3. Did you always want to work in this space?
Yes, I always knew I wanted to work in music. It is truly a passion that I grew up with. I started singing at the age of 7 and began with singing lessons soon after. When I moved to Bombay in 2008, my professional musical journey began when I started working on my first music album—I was 11 at the time. Through the process, music became one of the most defining aspects of my life and I realised I wanted to take it with me everywhere I went as a grow older as well. I am extremely fortunate to have a very supportive family, they have encouraged me every step of the way. For me, singing is one of the most therapeutic experiences.
4. What was your first milestone?
A major milestone was working with Tiger Shroff on Casanova acoustic which was an incredible experience. I had worked with Avitesh Shrivastav on our song Yaadein in the past, and we work on a lot of music together. He was also the music director and composer for Casanova and reached out to me to work on a demo, as they wanted to create a male/female acoustic version of the song—and the rest is history!
5. Do you have any advice for someone who wants to enter the industry?
Consistency is key—stay true to who you are and keep your goals clear. I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that if you really want to pursue music you need to believe in yourself. Self-belief is everything.
6. Are there any courses you recommend?
I would recommend the Berklee School of Music ‘Vocal Summit and Stage Performance’ summer workshops. Other than that, I would definitely say that if you’re serious about pursuing this as a career, consider getting a vocal coach.
7. What are some ways to connect and network with people to generate work opportunities?
Ever since I started pursuing music full-time in Mumbai, Instagram has been a brilliant platform to network and meet different artists. Instagram feeds are somewhat like a portfolio of work which makes it easier to connect with people. It’s always lovely to meet different artists and collaborate. I’ve met a lot of my music friends and colleagues through Instagram.
8. What is your take on the gender pay gap between male and female artists?
I am a firm believer in equality and believe both men and women should be paid and treated equally.
9. What is your advice to someone who feels they’re being under-compensated for their work?
I would say patience is part of the process, especially if you think you could grow as an artist by taking on certain projects. However, it is equally important to know your worth and know when to have the conversation.
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