Fresh off a landmark year that saw her music featured in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel and her acclaimed live version of The Fall turning heads across India’s indie scene, Komorebi returns with her most vulnerable and cinematic work to date. ‘No Deal’ is a spiritual exorcism disguised as an alt-pop anthem. Fusing trip-hop textures with soaring electronics, R&B nuance, and a visceral sense of storytelling, the track marks a bold new chapter for the Canadian-Indian artist.

The project of singer-songwriter and producer Tarana Marwah, Komorebi has long been celebrated for blurring genre lines and breaking barriers. On ‘No Deal’, that ethos crystallises into a song about growing up in the aftermath of abandonment, processing childhood pain, and reclaiming one’s voice in the process. It’s a track that trembles with honesty, anchored by one of her most striking choruses to date.

So with the new single available now, we sat down with Komorebi to talk about her creative process and what it means to stay authentic in an ever-shifting industry.

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Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in music?

My parents noticed an early interest, so I trained in western classical music at Tom Lee academy (Van) between ages 7-9. I grew up wanting to be a film scorer, always fascinated by string sections I’d hear when the credits rolled in movies. Later I studied jazz standards and participated in ensembles at Global Music Institute in New Delhi, simultaneously singing with college acapella choir groups. I always loved music. There was no plan per se to be an indie artist, that happened by accident.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both past and present?

So many! Currently I really like Mitski, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish.

In the past I’ve been inspired by Radiohead, Bjork, Massive Attack, Imogen Heap, Zero7 and Portishead.

Are there any specific artists or bands that have had a significant impact on your music style or approach?

Ive always admired the ‘Radiohead’ approach to music – each album is its own thing. Their chord and instrument choices are beautiful. They aren’t afraid to be sad in their writing, forcing their listeners to confront uncomfortable feelings. I think that’s brave.

I am also extremely inspired by the visual worlds created by Gaga, Grimes and Bjork. I love to create immersive worlds where my listeners can lose themselves for a moment and follow their characters I play on a journey. It’s essentially just story telling, but with more colour, layers.

Could you share any memorable moments or experiences that have shaped your musical journey so far?

My set at Lollapalooza India was a culmination of one of the most beautiful time periods in my career – right at the end of my album campaign “The Fall”. We had just finished up an India tour, after releasing two singles and the album. I opened for Anoushka Shankar, Keane and Sting that hot summer day, and had the opportunity to share the stage with some of my best friends – who just happen to be fantastic musicians. It was good music and good people.

How do you express your personal experiences and identity through your music?

I do a lot of story telling with my lyric writing. Every song I’ve ever written is about my life and personal experiences, I think. It’s truly incredible that you can capture such strange, specific events in your life, put them into a song, and have so many people around the world resonate with them so deeply. We’re all having the same experience, with minor changes.

I also take a lot from my love for cartoons, anime, fashion comic books and film by creating a ‘Komorebi’ universe and populating it with the characters  I play in my music videos.

Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?

The dated perception that I haven’t cultivated success based off of my own merit, talent and capabilities. This comes up every now and then. I used to challenge it in arguments and now I simply laugh it off, the idea that a mystery man is pulling the strings behind the scenes. Hilarious!

We can ask for help when needed, there is no harm in that, and artists don’t rise in isolation. Jumping to conclusions based on gender bias and the negativity surrounding success stories is where the problem lies.

Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?

I sing a lot about family, growth, love. I love the act of loving. I love people! Im happy to find I’ve reached a place where I love myself just as readily.
Lately I’ve written songs that have helped me process personal experiences I’ve had on my decade long journey as an artist, and confront truth. Humans are complicated and complex, we are always trying to understand ourselves by digging deeper, sometimes there’s no better way to do that than by writing songs.

Can you talk about your creative process and how you go about writing and producing your music?

I like to track my vocals alone at night, when there is peace and quiet in my house. The same goes for producing my songs, I’m a night owl.

The lyric writing happens on my notepad and diary sporadically through the day. I feel inspiration, pen down ideas quickly and then save them in the archive for later.

Beyond that – collaboration is my favourite way of working on multimedia projects and releases. I’ve had the joy of working with so many talented creatives from India.

How do you hope your music will resonate with your audience, especially with other aspiring female musicians?

It would be amazing to make my audience feel something. That may not always be the norm, but it’s my way of understanding where I stand in the world. By articulating as well as I can, what the world makes me feel.

For the girls, I would love for them to feel as if they can do everything on their own. Not that they must, but to remind them they are capable of it.

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Watch the video for Komorebi’s new single ‘No Deal’ below.