FEATURE: Modern R&B Artist Simha Shares New EP ‘After So Long’; Unveils Stunning Short Film For Title Track

San Francisco modern R&B artist Simha has shared his new EP After So Long. An exploration of his upbringing both in culture and musicality, the six-track offering combines his ear for western and eastern influences. As a Queer South-Asian musician, Simha offers a unique perspective and transposes it into a jazz-leaning hybrid of pop and R&B.

One particular track from the EP showcases his creative abilities: “After So Long”.

Originally meant to be a song, Simha and his collaborator Jae decided to let the piece stay as a poem. Throughout their ebb and flow of trading words and phrases, Simha and Jae found that the poem was emulating a mutual feeling that they had about life: growth is inevitable and getting acquainted with ourselves is part of the constant tension and release.

Finding some solace in the rhythmic recitation of the poem, Simha and his parents took the initiative to deliver the flow from English and Hindi to symbolize their connection with each other, bridging together generations in a cinematic way. With the depth of intention in their voices, the build of the composition, and the environment shifts, Simha and his parents deliver something raw and unnerving, yet beautiful.

About the EP and its inspiration, Simha shares:

“The alternate title of the EP is “बरसों बाद”, which translates to “years later”. I moved to LA in 2018 and the following three and a half years were learning, unlearning, and recreating what I wanted to do in music. I wanted to create art, but I was unsure to what extent and how to reach a seemingly unattainable goal. After years of experiences, writing, and repeating the cycle, I realized that the biggest mental block that I had was me not learning about myself.

So through my inner journey of mental health growth and spiritual growth, I birthed this project, which symbolizes me becoming reacquainted with myself – which never really ends – an experience I was able to capture in the interlude track of the EP. Although this project is truly personal, I do believe that it is not at all exclusive to me alone. Every single person I know has had this experience and continues to have this experience, which somehow makes the resolution bittersweet.

I chose to end the EP with my song “Frequency Bias”, which is about indecisiveness, rather than ending it with “Gravity”, which is about acceptance. I did this because I don’t think it ever ends at acceptance, because even after we’ve accepted who we are and all the things we’ve gone through, we have to continue to make the choice of growth.”

Watch the stunning short film music video for “After So Long” here, and listen to the full EP just past while you read through the latest Q&A with Simha.

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Interview with Simha:

What does the EP mean to you?

My EP is really a milestone for me. I’ve been working toward building and discovering my sound for so long and this release feels exactly that – a release. The culmination of many experiences reaching to a point where I felt like I needed to keep a record of my story led me to create ‘After So Long’. Being able to support and create art about subjects like anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, and self acceptance give me strength to move forward through my growth. 

What inspired the shift to keep “After So Long” as a poem? 

As I was working with Jae on the piece, we kept reading it back to each other over and over again. I think there was a moment between the two of us where we realised that the spoken word is just as powerful as music. The type of delivery changes the impact of the expression and the story. After I recorded it and created the background music for it, It was definitely evident that this was how the piece was meant to be presented.

What were your parents’ reactions to the piece? What did they say when you approached them with the idea?

Well it was actually a very casual conversation and they seemed to be interested, but there was never a time when they said no. There was apprehension and some nervousness, but as soon as they got in front of the mic, they were ready to deliver and feel the poem. When I heard about how they interpreted it, I was really excited for them to hear the final version with their voice on the track. 

When I played the piece for them, they were definitely encountered by some of their own insecurities, but they were also really happy with the music and how the track came together with the video.

What is something you hope listeners get out of listening to the EP? 

I really really hope that anyone who hears the EP is able to relate to the tension and release, especially the artists. This EP came out of my own frustration with me being overwhelmed and scared to just DO IT. All I wanted to do was perform and create my own music but the only thing that was in my way was myself. I am SO proud of how it turned out and so so grateful for all the folks that helped me along the way. I can’t wait to get some more music out!