Shevya Releases Calming New Single ‘Chaand’

San Diego-bred and New York City-based singer-songwriter Shevya Awasthi – who goes by her first name – has been learning Hindustani Classical music since she was a 10-year-old. From being part of an acapella group to then meeting like-minded musicians and experimenting with songwriting, Shevya has since released two singles, “Aao Na” (2021) and “Nasha” (2022). Now, the artist is out with a brand-new offering, the soothing “Chaand.”

Shevya wrote “Chaand” during the pandemic while living in an apartment with three girls that she didn’t know at all. She says, “I had a hard time becoming friends with them, as all of them were very close and I was the new girl in the house. Trying to befriend my housemates reminded me of when I was younger, and would be the only Indian amongst my classmates.” The singer adds, “I was scared to approach the pretty girls with blonde hair and blue eyes, as I always felt inferior or undesirable around them. My struggle with self-image and making friends inspired me to write about these feelings.” Sonically, the track is a delicate jazz ballad and includes stunning vocal textures from Shevya. “Through the metaphor of being the lonely moon in a sky full of stars, ‘Chaand’ describes the emotions of desperately wanting to fit in with others. However, as written in the song, how could I ever be a star, when I am the moon?”

Next, Shevya plans on releasing two more singles with the help of her producers Varun Jhunjhunwalla and Shankara Srikantan. “Both are chill groovy songs also written in Hindi,” she says. The singer-songwriter is even plotting to put out her debut EP next year.

Stream “Chaand” on Spotify below: