The New York-based Indo-American artist discusses his devotional rock album Indigo and why Gen Z’s shift far from alcohol culture might change celebration experiences
ShiShi reside in show. Image: Adam Schneberg
In spring 2022, New York-based artist ShiShi, aka Aasheesh Paliwal, started crafting what would end up being Indigoan album that defies simple classification. Part rock odyssey, part devotional offering, the record represents an enthusiastic effort by the Indo-American musician-producer to smuggle ancient Vedic knowledge into mainstream awareness.
ShiShi, who discovered success with his 2017 single “Aarti” and has actually invested over a years as a DJ, started this job with clear objectives. “My vision was to Trojan-horse the knowledge of the Vedas and spiritual understanding from India into something available to the mainstream, something that didn’t come off as overtly ‘brand-new age,'” he describes. The outcome is an album rooted in Hindu approach that moves from vulnerability to transcendence, its art work represented by the indigo color of knowledge.
The technical technique behind Indigo exposes ShiShi’s dedication to producing music that runs on several levels. Every track is tuned to 432 Hz, a frequency connected with recovery and the heart chakra in specific customs. “I simply changed the tuning in Ableton from 440 Hz to 432 Hz,” he keeps in mind. “The outcome is that the music sounds a little flat compared to the requirement, however it’s invisible to many listeners.”
The album unfolds as what ShiShi refers to as a “hero’s journey,” starting with the susceptible self-questioning of “Loser” (which referrals his training in China) and broadening into direct spiritual discussion with tracks like “Kali,” including Los Angeles singer-songwriter Shilpa, and the death-embracing kirtan-motivated meditation “When It’s My Time,” very first launched in 2023. He states, “As the album unfolds, the music shows a broadening state of awareness. By the time we reach ‘Kali,’ it’s like having a direct discussion with the goddess.” Sonically, there’s an apparently classic rock impact with a little bit of electronic music obtained from his structure as a DJ. It’s possibly a nod to keep at least something familiar from his 2022 dancefloor-driven album Chrysalis and the 2025 collective album BAHÉ with singer-songwriter Aditya Rao.
ShiShi’s decade-long meditation practice, which started with a life-altering Vipassana retreat at the age of 26, has actually basically modified his innovative procedure as an artist. “It feels less like I’m making the music and more like I’m a channel or channel pulling it in from a larger area,” he shows. “In Vedic custom, you might call that Brahman— the huge self– or Atman“
Standard Indian instruments–bansuri sitar tablaand harmonium– circulation through the record, bring what ShiShi calls “spiritual associations for countless years.” While his earlier work more overtly showcased his Indian identity through Bollywood-dance music blends, Indigo takes a subtler, rock-driven method. “Now, I do not feel the requirement to make that an obvious declaration. What matters to me is sharing the knowledge of the Vedas.”
He sees himself as part of a more comprehensive motion of artists producing what he calls”modern-day devotional”music– a reflection of “humankind’s increasing awareness.”This optimism about the future of meditative and spiritual music is linked to patterns he’s observed gradually. ShiShi states, “The market is greatly developed around offering alcohol, however Gen Z does not consume as much, and individuals desire much deeper, more significant experiences, not simply escapism.” He indicates current advancements like Live Nation’s very first alcohol-free occasion as precursors of modification. His supreme objective? Bringing this combination of music and meditation to mainstream celebration phases. “I ‘d like to bring this to celebrations like Coachella, since it can alter how individuals experience music.”
The increase of mindful celebrations around the world and the growing cravings for spiritual material in music recommends ShiShi’s timing may be best. He states, “As more individuals get up and look for spiritual understanding and fact, more of the market will react. I think it’s heading to the most significant phases.”
In the middle of that, bringing this music to India would represent an extensive homecoming. “India is the motherland of a lot of the spiritual knowledge that motivates me, and it’s likewise my heritage. It would be a full-circle minute,” he states. Strategies are currently in movement– he exposes the group is “in discuss creating a little trip there next year.”