Saachi Asks ‘If There’s a Sign’ On New Single

After releasing the soul/funk offering “Stop” earlier this year, Mumbai singer-songwriter Saachi wrote for Web 3.0 music project Swaraj Collective and was also part of Gatecrash’s Amplify program for indie artists. Now, on the eve of her maiden performance at Bacardi NH7 Weekender in Pune this weekend, Saachi is out with a new single, the pop/jazz track “If There’s a Sign.” She says, “I have spent so much time with talented artists who reminded me why I do this and inspired me to give more of myself into my songs. That has translated to a lot of my writing now.” 

Saachi began penning the new song this past June and informs us that she was, at the time, feeling a sense of fatigue in life. The artist says, “When you transition from college life to moving out and living on your own, paying bills, taking responsibility — the first part of the fatigue came from that.” She adds, “The second and more important half however came from this sense of exhaustion I feel about the times we live in. It feels like we’re perpetually receiving bad news.” The singer recalls watching American comedian Bo Burnham’s special Bo Burnham: Inside and “feeling heavy.” Saachi says, “During these times I often rant to my friends and ask, ‘What’s the point of any of this?’ or ‘Where’s the sign that this all means something and I should keep going?’ That’s where ‘If There’s a Sign’ was born I think.” 

Like on “Stop,” Saachi wore the producer’s hat for “If There’s a Sign” too. The musician admits that at times she’s restricted by being unable to explain what she wants a song to sound like. “I felt very alone. But I think having done that then, gave me the right tools to achieve what I wanted with ‘If There’s a Sign.’” However, Saachi is quick to point out that she is nowhere near the producer she wants to be and is still learning the ropes. The artist tapped her longtime producer Mumbai-based Ayan De to help with co-producing the track. “Ayan always teaches me something new every time we work together. I feel a step closer to what I’m trying to achieve with every song,” she says.  

“If There’s a Sign” includes smooth samples, horns, a rapid yet head-bopping groove as well as Saachi’s polished vocals. The vocalist also tapped Mumbai musicians such as Brent Tauro (from erstwhile pop-rock band Strike Three) to lay down some tasty keyboard parts and Sarthak Karkare aka Maqta (of alt-rockers Unohu and rock outfit St. Cyril) added funky guitar lines to the song. “This sense of community is what the song is all about.” 

With her set at Weekender just around the corner, Saachi informs us that she’ll be performing material that she’s been releasing since 2018 as well as some unreleased tracks too. “I’m just so thrilled to be performing my music with the fantastic band. The only way I’d put it is – an existential rollercoaster.” 

With more music in the pipeline as well as an album in the works, Saachi is also plotting more live shows and festival slots. She says, “NH7 would mark the beginning of my festival career and I intend to keep that going.” 

Stream “If There’s a Sign” on Spotify below and on other platforms.