Raw Femme premieres ‘Ocean Blue’ by Nagavalli, the second single from new album ‘Numinosum’, slated to drop on February 10, 2023.
East and West co-mingle harmoniously in the incomparable sound of Nagavalli. The Indian-American, Austin-based musician, with a sound often described as “Eastern Soul,” blends pop, rock, trance with east-Indian overtones and melodies. Nagavalli’s repertoire ranges from her original songs in English to east-Indian contemporary and spiritual songs, creating sounds both unique, yet familiar at the same time.
“Numinosum” features Valli’s signature soulful sound which includes east-Indian melodies blending with pop, rock and other modern genres that have influenced her music. Many of the songs convey deep emotions and experiences, such as a yearning for profound human connection, optimism during times of grief, and freeing oneself from the burdens of labels and judgment. The record is dedicated to the father figures in Valli’s life, and the album is set to be released just after the anniversary of her father’s passing.
“The record is, in a way, a microcosm of my lived experience between the east and west at so many different levels and how these influences come together in my own songwriting and performing,” said Nagavalli. “There are several original songs in English, a well-known invocation to Devi Durga (Aigiri Nandini), the divine feminine, an Eliza Gilkyson cover (Midnight Oil) that is very close to my heart and then some really popular covers from India and Pakistan (Damadam Mast Qalandar, Tere Bin Nahin Lagda).”
‘Ocean Blue’ is a ballad filled with raw emotion. The calming intro of acoustic and electric guitar immediately propels the listener to a warm, meditative tranquility. Nagavalli’s quietly-sung yet, powerful voice, provides a comforting calm, as the beautiful lyrics evoke intense emotions of being in love.
“You’re a part of me, everywhere I go, you’re the peaceful breeze that I long to breathe. You’re a light in the dark, lit a fire in me, burning through my soul, I can barely breathe without you.“
In addition to composing and performing her own music, Nagavalli is deeply rooted in the Austin music scene, where she advocates for other musicians and uplifts artists from various genres through collaborative efforts and community outreach.
Through her volunteer efforts in the Austin music community, Nagavalli merges her passion with purpose. Currently, she is the Board Chair of EQ Austin, a non-profit organization that aims to stimulate cultural representation and foster economic prosperity in the music and creative sectors. Additionally, Nagavalli serves as the Vice Chair of the Austin Music Commission, an advisory council that assists in implementing programs to meet the needs of the industry and review matters that may.
Enjoy our premiere of ‘Ocean Blue’ ahead of the full album release slated Friday, February 10th, with an official album release show at the Stateside theater at the Paramount in Austin on Saturday, February 11th at 8:00 PM PT. Purchase tickets here.