INTERVIEW: Prianca RA And ‘One Time In Lebanon’
Interview by: Alexie Jung
British-Indian singer Prianca RA released her second track of the year ‘One Time in Lebanon’ on July 31st. Raised in a multicultural background, the artist perfectly blends Bollywood-inspired melodies with a soulful twist. What we love about Prianca is her mission towards bringing more awareness around mental health and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health through music.
Her new song gives a new aspect of the singer as it is inspired by movies Prianca has watched and books she has read about challenging patriarchy and traditions. In ‘One Time in Lebanon’, Prianca imagined a world set in Lebanon where a girl named Habiba wants to break away from conventions and create her own path.
We got the chance to speak with Prianca on her music, goals and inspirations.
– Hi Prianca, it’s a pleasure to have you! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, thank you for having me. I’m Prianca RA, I’m a British-Indian singer/songwriter and in a nutshell my music aims to bring more awareness around mental health and the struggles people can experience on a daily basis.
– Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Well I’ve always loved singing ever since I can remember. It was only until I was diagnosed with depression that I started writing songs about it and I thought what I’m writing about can benefit others who may be going through the same thing. What drives me is that anyone out there could be moved by my lyrics and have a different outlook – if I can build a career out of that then that’s a bonus!
– You’ve just released “One Time in Lebanon”, can you take us through the creative process behind the song?
Writing One Time in Lebanon took longer than SPACECRAFT BURNOUT, for example, because the lyrics didn’t just flow onto the page I had to really think about it. I knew the song was going to be about empowerment and challenging conventions, especially marriage, but I couldn’t write it from a first person perspective. So I created a character Habiba – an independent and self-reassured woman who doesn’t fall for promises from eligible bachelors who promise to look after her because she can look after herself.
– You’re passionate about bringing more awareness around mental health and you’re not shy to sing about your own experience with PTSD for example. Was it easy for you to expose yourself?
Not at all, even I was scared of it and couldn’t process it for a long time. It wasn’t until I start writing about it, lyrics flew onto the page and I realised PTSD for me felt like being on a spacecraft and I teleported to outer space. It was the hardest time of my life because I was in self-destruct mode when I was living in the past but I brought myself out of it and I really want to shine light on PTSD with the spacecraft metaphor to help other survivors.
– Any other issue(s) you’re passionate about?
Black Lives Matter, feminism, LGBTQ+, Free Palestine, Liberation of Ukraine, equality for all.
– What do you feel should be improved within the music industry?
A fairer distribution so that songwriters and singers get more of a cut as well as more control over their art. I think the industry needs to make guidance on spotting scams more accessible and free (eg. spotting scams from fake record labels, fake A&R reps, agencies, fake playlists)
– Who are your main musical influences?
XXXTENTACION, Halsey and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – a really random mix but they influence me the most!
– Last but not least, can you tell us what’s coming next for you? Do you have new songs planned for the rest of the year?
2022 is the year for singles so I’m planning on releasing a few more singles to see out the end of 2022 and hopefully some live performances in 2023!
