Following in the footsteps of a loved one or continuing on in a family business seems like a daunting task and sometimes the shoes can be big to fill…especially in the entertainment business, may be world-renowned. For one Bhavana Reddy, the journey of stepping out of her parents’ shadow begins February 8th with her debut EP release Tangled in Emotions.
Being the daughter of world-renowned exponents of the South Indian dance form of Kuchipudi (Drs. Raja and Radha Reddy) couldn’t have been easy. From a young age, Bhavana’s parents trained her in the art of classical Indian dance. Throughout her childhood, she would perform with her family in events such as the Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi and Shreyasi International Dance Festival. She had the chance to perform in front of a number of diplomats and politicians including Presidents of India, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, Members of Parliament, as well as legends such as Pt. Ravi Shankar & George Harrison’s wife Olivia Harrison.
It wouldn’t be until college that Bhavana would realize that she had a true passion for music and left for the musicians institute in Los Angeles. Now you get to experience that passion in her debut release.
Having such a multicultural background really expresses itself throughout Bhavana’s EP with a mix of traditional Indian sound (think AR Rahman) with a pinch of Lucius meeting up with the fluid pop vocals of a Nelly Furtado causing a fusion unlike anything the world has heard up until now.
Tangled in Emotions opens up like a storybook with the lead track entitled “She.” The song covers a biographical story of a young girl ready to take on the world after a difficult childhood. With a heavy multicultural inspired orchestral background and heavy percussion, it wouldn’t be too hard to mistake this to be a title track from an Oscar nominated film. As with most cinematic songs of a storybook nature, you tend to see the inspiration of the song unfold right before you. While listening to “She,” it’s almost like you can feel those rocks that the girl had stumbled upon. You can also feel that courage that rose from her aura as she promised herself never to fall in her hardest times. The song itself is one that will inspire the masses when the world hears it.
As with the remainder of the Tangled in Emotions EP, it’s all quite emotionally driven. My personal favorite has to be the final track, “Stuck in a Valley.” For this track, it’s easy to get sucked into the melody with a heavy rock influence. It’s the best example of the multicultural fusion that Bhavana is capable of. With her story telling ability, there is a little message that I’m catching in every one of her songs just like some of my favorite stories as a child. I don’t want to give away the hidden secrets, but as a music lover the messages are as clear as day throughout the entire album. Plus, there are two other tracks you’ll have to check out for yourself!
This EP is a cinematic experience. With today’s top artists, the art of storytelling through song is lost in a hodgepodge of beats and melodies. With Bhavana, I see someone who stays true to her roots. Although she lives in the United States now, a little bit of India stays with her in the music.
For those in the Los Angeles area, you can catch her throughout the year as she prepares for a dance/music tour of India later this year.
In 2014, Bhavana Reddy is stepping into her own spotlight.
Tangled in Emotions is available on iTunes.
Bhavana Reddy on the web: www.bhavanareddy.com | Facebook | Twitter
