Indian-Australian Singer-Songwriter Caisha Sprout Is A Blues-y, Roots-y, Soul-sy Doozy

Hypnotic, velvety, and bold, Indian-Australian Caisha Sprout’s voice will make your heart heave and your soul stir. Listen to her croon, and you will feel everything, everywhere, all at once.

Singer-Songwriter Caisha Sprout is a bluesy, rootsy, soul-sy doozy. Based in Naarm/Melbourne, Caisha was raised on a diet of Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone, and when she sings, even inflation would put that thang down, flip it, and reverse it.

Settle into Settled On My Eyes (below) and let it settle on your soul. And then, when you’re done, read Brown Boy Magazine’s really, really, beautiful conversation with Caisha on childhood, community, and the courage to create for her younger self.

Caisha Sprout is performing at The Night Cat in Fitzroy, Naarm/Melbourne, on 5 April 2023. You can buy tickets to her show here. If you’re in Naarm/Melbourne, you must go. We won’t accept any excuses—unless you have a doctor’s certificate (please forward it to @brownboyau. Only kidding. Not really. Ok. We are…not kidding.)

Superglue her to your soul. And never let her go.

Brown Boy Magazine: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your musical journey?

Caisha Sprout: I have always loved music. From the age of 4, I told my parents that it was what I wanted to do, and I never really wavered. There were obviously challenges along the way, and a lot of self-doubt, but ultimately music keeps me grounded and always draws me back in. I wrote my first full song at the age of 14, and I remember it just fell out of me in like 20-30 minutes. At that moment, I realized that I could take my emotions, and put them into a song, and that changed the game for me.

After years of saying I was going to put something out, I actually did it in 2020 with my song “Self Love.” It was probably the poppiest song I have ever written, but it was a message I wanted to share. The night I wrote “Self Love”, I decided it was the one that would start my journey in releasing music.

Then, we were in the deep depths of lockdown, and I decided it was the time to record and release an album. “When I Get Older” was all recorded remotely, and I worked with producers and session players overseas to bring it all together and released it in March of 2022. I began playing with my band in 2022 when things started to open again, and we played at some incredible venues across Melbourne. It’s been so special to get to play my music alongside other people. I don’t think recordings can ever capture the essence of live music, so I am very grateful to be able to play live shows.

BB: It’s lovely to hear how your sound has developed from your first single, ‘Self Love,’ to your latest album. And your sound is super-duper unique for a South Asian artist (at least in Australia). Who are some of your biggest musical influences that have shaped your unique sound? And has it been challenging carving out a space in this somewhat alternative scene for a South Asian artist?

CS: Oh, thank you so much! It’s funny that you say it is quite an alternative scene because I have to agree, it’s been a real challenge trying to carve out a space in this genre.

Recently someone asked me what kind of music I make, and I answered “blues/roots and soul!” and they said, “what’s that…” So yeah, it’s definitely not something front of mind in the Aussie music scene! I can’t say it’s something that you see a lot of South Asians creating either, but it really speaks to my soul, and I love it so much.

I remember feeling a bit lost growing up because no one I knew really loved or created the music I loved, but in 2015 I went to Bluesfest, and it was super eye-opening for me to get to see so many incredible artists that I connected with so deeply. It was super inspiring.

My love for this genre began through my family and the East Indian community. I grew up on a lot of Elvis, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, and Louis Armstrong, as well as a lot of other crooners and country artists. My family used to go to these dances when I was little where they would have these live bands playing predominantly country/soul/jazz hits. It is a really random pocket of the Indian community.

I don’t think a lot of people realize the impact this genre had on the East Indian community, but it certainly shaped the kind of music I grew to fall in love with. The weekends were always filled with music blaring through the house, so I had no choice but to listen, and I still listen to a lot of those artists today.

BB: On all your socials, you mention your Indian heritage (which is awesome!). Has it influenced your songwriting and sound? And why is it important for you to represent your cultural heritage through your music?

CS: For sure! As I mentioned earlier, it was the foundation of my art today. I love being Indian, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Our communities are colourful and show so much love and care. I am super grateful for my family and community of family and friends.

I think as I get older, it’s becoming a bigger part of who I am, and I feel like in my younger years, where I felt like it was something I had to dull down, that was just a learning curve in understanding the power and comfort of culture. I want other younger people growing up to be proud of who they are and their lineage.

We’ve got such a beautifully diverse culture; I think it is very important to celebrate it.

BB: What advice would you give to other South Asian Australian artists who aspire to make music?

CS: What I realized a couple of years ago is that if you can look at yourself through the eyes of your younger self, remember why they began creating, and create for them, not for all the outside pressures.

The best art is the art that is straight from your soul.

Hard work and perseverance are the keys to all of this; it is not an easy journey by any means, but if you love it, it’s always worth it.

BB: Who are you listening to right now? Any South Asian artists you’re obsessed with?

CS: I’ve been listening to a bit of a mix of stuff right now, been getting into a fair bit of Olivia Dean’s catalogue, Kaleo’s new album, Matt Corby, Meg Mac, and Bob Dylan.

But South Asian-wise, I can’t go past Joy Crookes; she really makes some funky stuff, and she’s representing us so well. Locally, though, I have been loving R.L. King’s track “Love Is,” and I supported Parvyn last year with my band; her stuff is SUPER cool!  

BB: What song or artist is your all-time guilty pleasure?

CS: I don’t really think we should ever feel guilty for listening to music, and I’m not embarrassed to say this, but recently I’ve been getting really into “Lovebug” by The Jonas Brothers.

BB: If you could listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

CS: Hozier’s self-titled album (the extended edition).

Brown Boy Magazine (@brownboyau) celebrates worship-worthy tastemakers and changemakers in the South Asian Australian diaspora (without taking itself too seriously).