Behind Closed Doors
Throwing on a headset, I settle in to experience “Let’s Talk About It,” a track off the 2023 album “Behind Closed Doors” by House of Asha (House of Asha). On her website, Asha Menon describes her music as embracing “a lot of influence from dream pop, folk, and a cappella music with a hint of alt-rock.” Her rich vocals (reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson, Anita Baker, and Sade) create a beautiful foundation to layer the issues this Desi singer/songwriter tackles in her work.
As the album title suggests, the contents cover events, thoughts, and feelings that aren’t often broached with transparency in most Desi communities, such as leaving difficult relationships (romantic and filial) and being open about mental health struggles. Speaking with me at a quiet, San Jose boba shop recently, she discussed her journey, collaborations, and what she hopes for her future.
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Let’s Talk About It
While today, she describes herself as “an extrovert who embraces many types of music, and loves attending and performing at events,” committing to the journey of a musician and a creative was far from linear for Menon. After enrolling at UC Santa Cruz as a technology and information management major, she was approached to help with a then-fledgling Indian a capella group on campus (now called Taza Tal UCSC Taza Tal A Capella (@officialtazatal) • Instagram photos and videos), where the artist says, “I got to know myself better as a vocalist, performer, and leader, and discovered for the first time how much I enjoyed putting energy toward music and collaborating with others.”
A less lonely journey
From this origin story, she conceived House of Asha. “As someone who has felt displaced in my own body, the name House of Asha was essentially a return to home, my first home that carries me through every joy and life lesson.” But she quickly added that she’s grateful to her collaborators, who have given this House so much warmth and support over the years, especially her brother who was her first performance partner.
Creating music with others, Menon says, is not only “less lonely” but makes for a more memorable journey and experience for the audience. With an intention set to share her voice and thoughts, Asha spent three years writing her debut album “Behind Closed Doors” and worked with local producer Dust Breaks and director, Sameer Mahawar, to bring the project to life audibly and visually. Each of the eight tracks delves into several observations and issues ranging from relationships and tackling one’s demons, to being there for others.
Living My Truth
When we talked about how she thought dropping this album impacted her, Asha said there was a BA (Before Album drop) Asha and an AA (After Album drop) Asha. The latter she states is about “fully living my truth” and understanding her ‘whys’. Her mindset shifted and she understood that “the biggest win is in ‘the doing,’ in taking action—past that point, it’s about mentally accepting all potential outcomes and letting go of some control instead of being stifled by fear.”
The first track “Stride” begins with ominous, accented notes and the bass drops within a couple of measures. Asha delivers searing lyrics on struggling marriages such as: She knew from the way/ The promise was breaking/ She would pay. And: I ain’t turning for goodbyes. The staccato delivery and syncopation of some lines match the resolve of someone walking away from danger and pain.
Stride
The video to “Talk About It” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3bB2ggj-OQ) is beautifully filmed and choreographed and tells the story of someone trying to help an individual battling a mental health crisis. The lyrics exhort, reassure, and ask the person to consider that there may be hope.
I wish you only knew
In a few more steps are stunning views
I enjoyed all of these songs and appreciated the stories Asha told within each. She acknowledges her songwriting style as very message-oriented and focused on “showing people as they are, captured in a very specific moment.” Some of these moments are uncomfortable, but that is exactly her point.
What I found most refreshing about this album is that, unlike some artist’s first efforts, each song is unique, from beats to melody to lyrics, yet there is a cohesiveness that runs through this project.
House of Hope
On the House of Asha website, there’s a page for collaborators. Clicking through, one notes the obvious respect Asha holds for each of the individuals with whom she’s worked/works, they are on her tracks and she is on theirs. To her, collaboration means “allowing oneself to lean on and learn from other people” – a joyful reciprocity, rather than competition. She championed this philosophy when she sang on the project “Kiss & Tell Volume One”, on the tracks “Nasha” and “Corrupted” on JAK’s album Story of the Crow, and on the album Fossil by Dust Breaks on the track “Dive”.
Becoming contemplative as I asked her to clarify how that applies to her life and work, she stated that “by sharing my songs, life lessons, and taking on this untraditional path, I’m hoping to show people of any age that there are other options beyond the beaten path and that it’s okay to question and want to dig deeper into the whys.” Another population she wants to reach is young Indian/Asian women “to let them know there are things you can do beyond what your culture tells you you can do.” She follows up by jokingly adding, “I’m just out here trying to spread good vibes and hope, and as the name Asha translates to—House of Hope, really!”
Kiss & Tell – Collaborations
As we wrapped up, I asked about the future and she shared that an album consisting entirely of collaborations is in the works. I was curious as to why all nine songs are endeavors with other artists, and she talked about how this project will bring together a community of musicians in the Bay Area; rock, emo-punk, theater, and more, exploring and creating something new. “I look forward to further genre-hopping, learning from my friends, and being the cohesive element,” she said.
I, for one, can’t wait to hear what transpires. I suggest you go grab a comfy chair in the House of Asha, put on your headphones, and see how mind-expanding it is.
