Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Seema Farswani

Seema Farswani - Sketches On The Walls

“Sketches on the Walls” is a metaphor for the human journey — how the black-and-white sketches of our past become the colored canvas of who we are today. It reflects how the shadows we carry — memories, criticism, and judgments — often shape our identity until we learn to see ourselves in full color.

The song also traces my transition across continents — from Dubai to Chicago and later to Berklee, Boston — and the strangers along the way who unknowingly sparked the creative flame that shaped who I’ve become. It also questions how society often values people by their labels rather than their art, while true creativity transcends boundaries.

Rooted in my love for languages, this time the Hindi bridge — “Tootey sapney, bikhrey armaan, aashaein, manzilen chhod aaye hum kahan” — (“Broken dreams, scattered desires, hopes and destinations left behind — where have we come to now”) — captured the emotion of rediscovery and resilience.- gazing out at the city scape view of Boston from my hotel room reminiscing the Lake Michigan and Chicago city view from my classroom window during my design days back then where I spent hours drafting floor plans being inspired by that view, this time I completed my single gazing at the city scape in Boston!

The composition and lyrics were written by me, with Rish (Level Music, Mumbai) contributing the chords, harmonies, and backing vocals, truly pumping up the vibe of the song and blending the English–Hindi fusion seamlessly. Grateful to my BTS team for their creative support in bringing this vision to life.

Rish is an ex Berklee alum, a distinguished singer song writer known for his speciality in Hiindi- English fusion. When I penned the Hindi Bridge I reached out to Rish to help me blend in the fusion which he put a brilliant and a wild spin to more I ever imagined.

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Interview with Seema Farswani

(º)> What inspired the message behind “Sketches on the Walls”?

“Just as sketches evolve into vibrant canvases, we too shape the canvas of our lives in bold colors, despite how others may judge us.”

Sketches on the Walls celebrates my journey as both a designer and a singer-songwriter. It reflects my path from growing up in the Middle East to my university days in Chicago — and coming full circle to my recent days on campus at Berklee, Boston. Life was a complete contrast — from traveling in cars to navigating the streets on foot, from familiar surroundings to a new culture, and from passive observation to being inspired by strangers and mentors who helped shape and transform my path. The title also refers to the black-and-white sketches that once adorned the walls of my room as a design student — silent reflections of creativity and growth. The song is a bold metaphor: every sketch, every moment, every choice becomes a reflection of growth, resilience, and self-expression.

(º)> How has your background in interior design shaped your songwriting and sound?

“Design and songwriting share a journey — from concepts and drafts to textures, layers, and depth that bring emotion to life.”

Both fields are really similar. In design, I move from bubble diagrams to concepts, sketches, and drafts — and finally to working with colors, textures, and layers, bringing a space to life visually. Songwriting mirrors this journey: identifying the concept, crafting melodies and harmonies, and layering sounds and textures to create depth and emotion that people can feel and resonate with. Design taught me to balance structure with feeling — a principle I carry into every composition.

(º)> Which cultures or places have left the strongest mark on your musical style and storytelling?

I’ve always been a travel junkie — inspired by my love for exploring new places, I pick up languages, phrases, and rhythms along the way. From growing up in the Middle East, studying in the U.S., to living in Singapore, every culture added its own texture to my identity. With the eye of a designer, I see patterns and connections in these experiences, and now I feel people can relate to these elements through my music. Each place brought its own rhythm — from desert winds and Arabic scales to the blues and rock of Chicago — shaping my multilingual, genre-blending sound.

“Life as an expat taught me to embrace different cultures and languages, and that openness flows into the fusion of blues, pop-rock, and world music I create.”

(º)> How do you balance singing in multiple languages while keeping your sound cohesive and true to your identity?

“Each language is like a color on my palette — the melody and emotion come first.”

I see each language as a color on my palette. Whether I’m singing in English, Hindi, Spanish, Arabic, or French, I approach each with emotional intent rather than translation. The melody and message come first — the language simply becomes a vessel for expression. That helps me stay authentic while keeping every song sonically unified.

(º)> What inspired your fusion of blues, pop-rock, and world music influences?

This question really resonates with me because it reflects my true identity. Travel and my love for languages and cultures define my style as an artist, and I naturally carry that into my music. Growing up in the Middle East, to living in Chicago, Connecticut, and Singapore, and connecting with colleagues and friends from diverse backgrounds shaped my perspective. Listening to different genres of music across these experiences also inspired me.

(º)> How do you turn your personal experiences into empowering musical expressions or anthems?

I write from emotion first — often from moments of doubt or rediscovery. Songwriting becomes a form of design therapy for me. I believe that when we’re honest about our vulnerabilities, others find strength in that reflection. That’s what turns a personal story into an empowering anthem.

(º)> Which instruments or production elements define your signature sound?

Warm guitar tones, layered vocal harmonies, and subtle world percussions often define my soundscape. I love blending traditional textures with contemporary production to create an emotive, immersive feel. Working with Rish on Sketches on the Walls challenged me on many creative levels — he pushed me to explore deeper layers of emotion and sound. I truly believe every collaboration helps me grow and discover new dimensions in my artistry.

“Every sketch, every note, every collaboration reflects growth, resilience, and the bold colors we choose to paint our lives with.”

(º)> How do you see your visual storytelling intersecting with your music, especially during live performances?

My live performances are extensions of my design language — I think in color, form, and atmosphere. Each stage setup, light tone, or projection reflects the emotional arc of the song. I want listeners not just to hear the music, but to see and feel its story.

(º)> How have collaborations — like with Dem-C or Rish — influenced your creative journey and artistic growth?

“Working with Dem-C and Rish pushed me to explore new creative depths I never imagined.”

Collaborations have taught me humility and creative openness. Working with Dem-C was electrifying — his impromptu improvisation on stage brought his own groove and energy, creating moments I could never have planned. Rish, challenged me with intricate layers of harmonies and layers and lent his soaring background vocals, adding texture and depth that evolved Sketches on the Walls in ways I thought was really wild! Every collaboration feels like a new chapter of discovery, inspiring me to push boundaries and grow further as an artist.

(º)> What’s next for you after “Sketches on the Walls”? Any new directions or explorations on the horizon?

Sketches on the Walls is part of my second album currently in the works, with many new releases yet to come! Each project feels like a rediscovery — connecting my past to the present and showing how far I’ve evolved on this journey. It’s always fascinating working with incredible artists behind the scenes; every collaboration pushes me to explore, reflect, and refine my musical identity.

(•)> That's all Folks! Check out Seema Farsawani on the Pigeon Spins Playlist