Following the release of her latest single, ‘Soul Behind The Face’, LOCK had the pleasure of speaking with US pop artist Kripa to find out more about her latest single and future plans.
Hi Kripa and welcome to LOCK, for our readers, could you please let us know a little about yourself?
Hello! My name is Kripa, and I’m a new music artist releasing uplifting pop music with a lot of heart. I practised medicine for years before taking a leap and going for music too! It has inspired the music I have been releasing too.
Your latest release, “Soul Behind The Face” is such a beautiful title. Can you share the inspiration or story behind the song?
This song is about seeing people for what is beneath the surface, and tapping into what really matters. Because wisdom can come from places you might not expect.
You’ve described the track as being about “seeing people for who they truly are.” Was there a personal experience that sparked that message?
I think my experiences in my prior career have really shaped my interest in crafting messages like this in the music I release. You see real struggle in the human condition when practising medicine. These are people from all walks of life. You see the struggle, the strength, the resilience, and the kindness people possess, and that’s a beautiful thing.
The song feels both uplifting and reflective. How did you strike that balance between emotional depth and playful energy in the production?
There are a lot of aspects to my persona, and while I have a serious introspective side, I’m also a really fun and energetic side to me that maybe my peers know the most. I try to bring that fun energy into the songs. Each song is also a reflection of what makes me me, in a way!
What do you hope listeners feel or take away when they hear “Soul Behind The Face” for the first time?
I hope listeners can really feel the passion and honesty through the lyrics and playful melody. The song’s sound is a bit different than the other releases, which I hope stands out, but also impacts the listener with curiosity and joy when hearing the lyrics.
You worked with Bruce Lowe, someone with legendary credits. What was it like collaborating with someone of that calibre?
Collaborating with Bruce has been such an incredible experience, I am so grateful for. If not for social media, that connection never would have happened! There was a synergy when we met, because he also shares my vision of utilising music to heal, and has a charity, Music Has Healing Power, which I have now joined – this organisation brings music activities to children’s hospitals. Given my professional background and goals in music, it just made sense to create this album together. His knowledge in music and creative ability truly was the catalyst in helping to move this project forward, and I have learned so much from him – not only about the industry but how to create music as well. He is also incredibly humble and down to earth, which has made working with him even more enjoyable.
Your music consistently weaves themes of empathy, connection, and light. Why are those values so central to your artistry?
This all ties back to my background in medicine and patient care, and seeing the sadness, struggle, but also positivity, and resilience of so many people dealing with difficult situations. It really has been why I want to release music with these themes. I am singing for a purpose, which has been my goal in this new artistic pursuit, while also having fun and relatability along the way.
Many of your songs seem to carry a spiritual or emotional core. How do you maintain authenticity while still creating something accessible and universal?
I think this again ties back to my authentic personality. I guess there are many dimensions to who I am, for me, I have my more serious, spiritual, and introspective side, but most people who know me might see that fun, playful, dynamic side to who I am. I love connecting with others, old-fashioned fun, and learning from everyone around me. In the music I’m releasing, I really am trying to weave those aspects of my authentic self in a relatable way.
“Soul Behind The Face” comes from your debut album. What can you tell us about the larger story or emotional journey of that record?
This album is meant to take a listener on a journey of all aspects of love. This is not just in a romantic sense. But it’s about loving yourself through ups and downs of life, as well as compassion, empathy, and love for others. In that journey there is an interweaving of love of friends, some romanticism, that ends in collectiveness and a feeling of victory. And of course, the goal is to have fun listening to the tracks and enjoying the songs through this story!
You’ve lived and worked in both scientific and creative spaces. How do you find balance between intellect and intuition in your music-making?
I think I’d say I am an equally left and right-brain person – so I’m really technical and methodical in how I approach things, but also extremely creative and artistic. I am really passionate about precision in my vocal delivery, but I think that this gets combined with passionate and emotional delivery to help tell the story of the lyrics. So it really is a big balancing act. At times, it can slow me down when I am picking a vocal apart and want to redo it too many times, but I’m learning in this process that when it’s time to just let some things go and let the music sing!
If your fans could walk away from your music with one message or feeling, what would it be?
It would be a dream and honor if fans walked away feeling like they went through a little emotional journey of rising up through the storytelling in the song lyrics, and felt something in their heart and soul that’s really positive, through the emotion conveyed in the songs while also feeling playful and happy.
Are there any dream collaborations or future creative directions you’re hoping to explore next?
Too many to count! Here’s one for now – I am a huge fan of Raye, but I have so many amazing creators and musicians I’ve connected with through social media, who I’d love to collaborate with too! I truly hope for collaborations that can continue to weave in the themes of my music and purpose in doing all of this.
How do you personally define success at this stage of your artistic journey?
I am genuinely trying to enjoy the process as I go through this for now, rather than get caught up in the outcomes. When I re-entered the music world 2 years ago, I simply wanted to connect with other artists via social media. I never imagined I’d be doing what I’m doing now, and releasing an album produced by a Grammy Winning producer! I guess anything is possible when you pursue things that are aligned with your purpose. If I can touch and impact even a few people in a positive way through the songs being released, I think that is all I could ask for. I welcome anything more that comes my way too. Sky Ain’t the Limit! 🙂