Hear Aditya Kambhampati Meditate on Stillness on ‘Waisa Hi Tha’

Written when singer-songwriter Aditya Kambhampati says he had “kind of befriended this strangeness of time” in early 2020, his new single “Waisa Hi Tha” is anchored to a curious guitar riff that helps build atmospheric rock.

As is often the case with the best riffs, Kambhampati says this one came to him when he least expected it. “The acoustic riff was born out of a sheer accident. I think I was trying to tune the guitar and just play around trying hammer-ons on the strings, that’s when I played the riff as it is in the song today, just out of nowhere it came out ready in the moment,” he says.

The yearning Hindi vocals – with lyrics written by Aditya Karhadkar – create a gloom but also uplift as the track progresses, giving off a hint of Kambhampati’s psychedelic rock influences from Pink Floyd and The Doors. There’s a similar eeriness that’s deftly executed on his previous single this year, “Laalten.” He adds, “I’ve been hooked on to a lot of other artists such as [alternative bands] Hooverphonic, Manchester Orchestra and Black Pumas whose sound and tonality is very fresh.”

Kambhampati says he’s working on a music video for “Waisa Hi Tha,” while also etching out a new sonic direction for future material. “I’m trying to get out of the mould of very philosophical ideas to relatable ideas. [I] want to try my hands on more edgy and peppy stuff, but of course with my sensibilities and style,” the singer-songwriter adds.

Listen to “Waisa Hi Tha” below. Stream on more platforms here.