Nyima Records

To begin, could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey into music – what first drew you to it, and how did you meet Vinod to build Femme Music together?
I have been playing the guitar since I was 7, so music was always a part of my life. Somewhere down the line in college I got into music production and then did a diploma in audio engineering. During my time in college Vin and I starting working together. He was and still is my artist manager. We were introduced to one other through Rana Ghosh. Vin was looking to develop a female artist from India and approached me. We have known each other for almost 6 years now and the idea for the label formulated early this year. It has been something Vin has wanted to do for a very long time and I am glad he trusts me to take on this venture with him. Our relationship has grown over time and we both see eye to eye with our vision in the indie music scene.

What were the specific gaps you were observing in the Indian music ecosystem that made you feel a dedicated platform for women artists – and eventually Femme Music/Nyima Records – was necessary?
The Riot Grrrl movement showed us how powerful music can be in creating space for women’s voices, especially in male-dominated industries. That DIY, feminist energy inspired us to build Femme Music as a platform for Indian female artists singing in English, to take control of their narrative, build community, and be heard on their own terms. We also want to break the barriers or gatekeeping that pertains in this industry.

Nyima Records sits under the larger Femme Music umbrella; how do you describe its identity and focus within that ecosystem, and what kinds of stories or sounds did you want it to be known for from the outset?
Nyima Records is a sub-label of Femme Music and it focuses on genres of Indie/pop/singer-songwriter. Each of our sub-label are divided based on genre and our goal is to be able to showcase talent in all spectrum. We began our journey with Nyima Records but one can expect more soon. There is a large market in India for indie music and some amazing talent surrounding it.

What is the meaning behind the name 'Nyima', and how did that idea translate into the earliest concrete steps of setting up the label – from vision to team, infrastructure, and finding your first artists?
Nyima is a Tibetan name that means sun. It carries different interpretations across cultures, but at Femme, the sun is something we deeply connect with. Our logo reflects that, and so does our music. There’s a warmth, a sense of calm, and a meditative clarity in what we create qualities we’ve always associated with sunlight. That’s why Nyima felt like the perfect name for this project.

When you look back at the launch phase, what were the toughest challenges – whether logistical, financial, or cultural – and how did you work through them?
Logistics were probably the hardest part, mainly because it’s tough to expect everyone to be as organised as you are. Responses come late, and reaching out to sponsors, companies, or collaborators can feel like a huge task especially since most people don’t really pay attention unless you have the “numbers.” That’s just the world we live in. Over time, though, you learn to navigate it better. You keep your head down, stay focused, and try not to take things too personally.

What kind of artists are you looking at for Nyima and what kind of narrative do you want to push through this?
We’re always looking for artists who have raw, genuine talent. With Nyima, the focus is primarily on singers, so we love hearing the natural, unfiltered voices of the artists we work with. There’s so much potential in this country and artists just need support and a bit of a push. Our goal is to give them that. This is a long-term commitment for us, and we’re willing to take that risk to help them grow.

Nyima Vol. 1 brings together multiple singer-songwriters from across India; how did this compilation take shape, from curating the lineup to defining the sonic and conceptual arc of the record?
We chose artists whose voices we genuinely loved and who we felt had real potential. Since Nyima focuses on a specific genre, we already knew their music would fit together naturally and I think it really did. Beyond that, we just let the music speak for itself. Someone once described it as a 3 am album, and I think that captures it perfectly.

Are there any moments or tracks from Nyima Vol. 1 that, for you, capture the essence of what Nyima Records is trying to do – either in terms of sound or the story behind the song?
Not particularly. Every artist brings their own sound and their own story, and that’s really the beauty of it. Each of them has something different to share, and we’re just happy to be able to offer a platform for that. When you listen to the music, it all feels worth it.

Looking ahead, how do you see Nyima Records growing – in terms of future volumes, EPs or album deals, collaborations, and maybe even sublabels or other initiatives within Femme Music?
Yes, we aim to have more volumes, and we aim to do more EPs with some artists as well. And we do have other sub-labels in place for the near future.

On a more personal note, what kind of change would you like Nyima and Femme Music to have sparked in India’s music landscape when you look back a few years from now?
I’d love to see gatekeeping disappear from this industry. We’re all here because we love music, and success has never been a solo journey. There’s so much potential, especially among women and they all deserve their own spotlight. I genuinely believe every artist has their own audience; people love music, and it’s only a matter of time. India is going to be the next big thing.

Words Hansika Lohani 
Date 3-12-2025