16-Year-Old Indian-Origin Boy Making Musical Waves In Switzerland

Up above in the world so high, in Zurich, Switzerland, to be precise, an Indian-origin boy Aakash Sethi is making sure that the lockdown period would go down in his memory as the time when he first wowed the world with his music creation and production skills.

His mother, Aradhna, says, “It’s a passion that gets him up at all hours of the day, motivates him to just be on the job almost 24X7! He loves it. And even times his sleep pattern according to what raspiness or freshness he needs in his voice. Daily life situations, a fireplace, a rustling leaf — they all seem to inspire him to open his notes app and instantly write his ‘lyric of the moment’. Obviously, as his mother, I am super proud of him”.

 

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Abschlussprojekt 🙂

A post shared by Aakash (@dontcrybo0) on May 23, 2020 at 3:09am PDT

And yet, he could well be mistaken for a regular Swiss teen.

After completing his nine years of obligatory schooling in the Swiss education system in June 2020, Aakash has cleared his entrance exam and been admitted into grade 10 at the local high school to pursue education according to his line of interest and competence: Computer Sciences and Information Technology.

Alongside his school activities and academics, he continues to attend Piano lessons and Karate, which lends a fine balance between studies, sport and the arts.

Studio recordings with and for other artists continue to fill his weekends with his passion for music.

Here’s a little chat with the rising star of an already accomplished family *:

You might be perhaps a bit too young to be able to answer this question in precise words, or, perhaps, with even precise awareness of it, but we have to ask this: Why did you get into making music?

AS: Out of all the creative things I have done, music kept drawing me back. I have always been very interested in the voice. It is capable of doing so many different things so I wanted to test that. I have also been playing the piano for nearly a decade. That definitely gave me a solid start.

Although I haven’t been producing for too long, I quickly realized how interesting and complex it is. It really grabbed me and never let go.

What inspires and motivates you?

AS: Lyrically, I’d say experiences, people and experiences with people. I love writing heartfelt lyrics that can make you feel something. Conceptually it’s different artists and producers from all around the world. People like Post Malone, Troye Sivan, Miley Cyrus and my friends/family are the ones who keep me motivated. Their styles and opinions intrigue me.

You are just 16. So, most probably, you would have begun understanding ‘guiding inspirations’ merely a couple of years ago. In the light of that, would you say you have any definite role models as yet?

AS: I have lots of role models. Moreover, it’s the different qualities in people that I look up to. The first few people that I think of are Meo, Sebastian, Eyelar and Valentin. Over time I have learnt an unfathomable number of things from these people. Eyelar has always had an answer for any question regarding the Industry. Meo inspired a new way of songwriting, Sebastian’s creative envisioning regarding photography and videography always amazes me and Valentin has always been able to answer my questions and give me tips on anything that has to do with music production.

With technology becoming infinitely more accessible today than, say, during your parents’ time, the competition too has become immense. In that sea of talent, what makes you stand out as an artist?

AS: Although I haven’t found my ideal sound yet I’d say there are two things. Definitely my age and the fact that I do everything myself. I’m only 16 so I still have a lot to learn… but the fact that I am doing absolutely everything from writing to singing and producing is pretty crazy. Especially to an outsider!

I’d also say my lyrics. I have a knack for constructing complex, thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics with a dark undertone.

What are your music-related plans for the future?

AS: My plans include writing with people that I want to write with and bettering my voice as well as my productions. I’m really looking forward to social life in regards to music because I definitely want to collaborate more. Whether it’s with producers, writers or other artists. It doesn’t matter.

What is your whole process of creating music like? What is the thought process, what are the steps of execution etc?

AS: Normally I start off with a short lyric, or a metaphor that I like. I construct a concept if it isn’t already clear. Then I make a simple beat which consists of maybe a piano and a set of drums at most. I come up with some demo lyrics and records those. Then I work on the production. I add layers and use effects to give the result some movement. At this point, I finish the lyrics and create a structure. I record the lead vocals first, then I come up with up to four harmonies and record those. I don’t think about a music video at all. I focus on the concept and the message of the song.

Had it not been for COVID lockdown – would you have made as many songs as you have?

AS: (Chuckles) Probably not. COVID-19 removed school hours from my life so I had tons of time on my hands. I wasn’t just going to sit around and let go of that opportunity! I wrote around fifty songs during the pandemic, which by the way is still ongoing so keep your masks on! I even got to know some people through social media. I got the chance to partake in Zoom release parties and join songwriting courses. All these things really kept me going!

* Aakash’s mother, Aradhna Sethi, an elected member of the Council of Social Welfare (township), is an author and a marketing and communications coach. She runs a monthly online magazine for the Indian diaspora in Switzerland called, Namaste Switzerland. Aakash’s father, Anil Sethi, is a published management author and teaches entrepreneurship at the renowned ETH. He is an advisor for startups, keynote speaker, serial entrepreneur and advisor to the United Nation’s Initiative, Defeat NCD Partnership. The family also includes Aakash’s teenage sister.

from League of India