Meet Kruttika | Singer/songwriter, music producer and fine artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kruttika and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kruttika, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
There is no specific thing that tells me if I should keep going or give up. Everyone has a different story and different factor involved in shaping their path. For me personally, giving up is not an option at all. I cannot afford to look back, or give up my current journey and try something else. For me it’s all or nothing. The way I see it is, if you have a plan B and Plan C for your life, you will never end up putting enough effort in Plan A. That’s just my thoughts.. I gave up everything I knew in Mumbai, and moved halfway around the globe to LA to be a musician. This is what I know, and music is who I am. There really is no giving up for me. Giving my dream of music will be like giving up on life and denying my truest identity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a musician. A singer/songwriter, producer and fine artist. I recently released my first EP of five songs and two singles. This was my debut project that I wrote, produced and mixed on my own. I have never considered myself a producer, but I wanted to challenge myself with this project and see if I could make the songs sound exactly like I envisioned them. I guess I just trusted my instincts. I don’t know if this is something that sets me apart from other artists, but I am also partially sighted. I lost forty percent eyesight in both eyes when I was thirteen, and have navigated life with a disability all by myself. I feel proud for taking the leap of faith to move to a whole new country to pursue my dreams, and start from scratch with no “Godfather” in the industry and no connections at all. I don’t know many people with disabilities that have done that. Professionally, everything I have achieved has been by the grace of God and the support of my family. I also happened to find some wonderful friends and mentors at music school, who helped me grow and set me off on the right path. It hasn’t been easy. Sometimes you rely on a teacher to show you the right way, but they end up taking advantage of you, or you meet people in the industry who don’t really take women musicians seriously. It’s a brutal business. But I was able to overcome these with some great advice and guidance from my mentor Alexx, and my mom and sister. These three women have been my strength and guiding light. I figured I just got to have thick skin, believe in myself and keep powering through and never apologize for not being able to do a job because of my visual impairment. Another important lesson I’ve learned is to never take things personally and know that at the end of the day, everyone is just looking out for themselves first. My story is about perseverance in the face of adversity. There are no excuses when it comes to achieving your dreams. Use the resources you have at hand and go from there. Everything else falls into place. Trust God, and be grateful to the people who have your back. Never forget where you came from or sacrifice your identity to fit what goes in society.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to the beach. Its where I love going, to connect with nature and meditate. Also swimming in the ocean and getting a beer after, with some fish, is what I call the perfect day. Another place I love is Griffith observatory. I love looking out into space and wondering about stars and planets and extraterrestrials. Puts into perspective human problems . I love eating seafood, so I’d probably head to Bubba Gump’s for a shrimp basket, or this quaint little place in Venice that serves wonderful oysters. Cannot remember the name of the place, but it’s great. I would take a trip to Universal Studios. Not to forget the museums and galleries. I would end the weeks trip with a live music event around the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a lot of people to thank for making me the person and artist I am today. First of all, my parents and sister. They have been constant supporters and cheerleaders in my life. My close family members in LA, Mumbai and London who never forget to share my music and cheer me on. My mentors at music school, Alexx Daye, Phil Ramacon and Carl Byron. And last but not the least, my darling eleven year old Godchild Maya, who cites me as her musical inspiration. Her faith in me and admiration for the life I have chosen for myself gives me the strength to keep going and never want to give up.

Website: https://www.kruttikamusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kruttikamusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kruttikamusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu60A61vd3J1rnzn20MRdjQ

Other: https://kruttika.bandcamp.com/