Meet Alisha Popat | Indie folk fusion artist & philanthropist

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

Hi Alisha, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
This is such a great question because I have asked this question myself so many times throughout my career. I am asking myself that question even now. I liken the music industry sometimes to a toxic relationship – I know that sounds intense but I feel it’s sometimes apt. At times, you feel showered with love, praise, and purpose. You feel in your bones that you are walking the right track, and that following your dreams is the only course to take. Other times, when things get hard and stagnant, and they do and will- it feels like it’s a never-ending battle to fight the algorithms and get your music out to the right people. When gigs are scarce and opportunities you believed would give you that break, don’t- you end up feeling despondent and honestly sometimes delusional. The older you get, especially as a woman wanting to have a family, it’s hard to keep going knowing how unpredictable your financial status is, and how much time you will need to dedicate to your family first. One thinks, is this worth it? or am I just building castles in the sky? I have come to understand that leading with my heart and gut is always the right option and if I am happy and can still find ways to make it work, I can’t just give up! I have this feeling in my bones that THIS is what I was always meant to do, this is also my way of giving back to the community and this will eventually lead me to a place where I can do what I love, earn well, and be there for my family too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an indie folk fusion artist, which means I make indie folk music with a little spice of home, Kenya. I love to mix sounds that remind me of home in my music. I am a storyteller and my music is known to be raw, emotional, and nostalgic. I started in the YouTube world over 10 years ago, taking already existing covers and making ‘Africanized versions’ of them in collaboration with other YouTubers around the world. I wanted to put Kenya on the map and also find ways to give back to people in need. I was so privileged to work with artists like Lindsey Stirling, Peter Hollens, Alex Boye, and many more. A cover of ‘We Found Love’ with Lindsey set me on course when it went viral. It was such an exciting time. After that, I went on to perform at the 2010 Fifa World Cup opening with fellow artists, I was featured on CNN African Voices as a change maker in the industry and I was gigging a lot!

However, I got donned the title of the cover queen in East Africa, and I was desperate to start putting out my music and leave that title far behind in the rearview mirror. I wouldn’t have called myself a good writer many years ago, it was a real challenge for me and I had a real imposter syndrome calling myself a singer/songwriter but not being able to write my own material.

After co-writing with a lot of incredibly talented writers and becoming more vulnerable, I started writing music that I am incredibly proud of today. I moved to Berlin 4 years ago in 2020, it was an extremely hard and lonely time for me but also a time for self-reflection. I was part of The Voice Of Germany 2021 and had to learn a decent level of German to take part (now this was a REAL challenge lol) this was such a great experience for me for so many reasons but mostly as it was my springboard into the industry here. I am mostly excited and so proud of myself for being able to make the music I am making currently, for putting myself truly out there, and for persistently following my dream. The biggest lessons I have learnt along the way are; never compare yourself to another artist, you are unique and bring something totally different to the table, no two works of art are ever the same. I have learned that collaboration is key, I have learned that persistence is imperative to getting where you want to be and that nothing comes easy in life,

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?
Oh hey! Berlin in spring/summer is a ball! Let me show you around…

Monday- rest day. Settle in, bottle of wine by the Spree in Jannowitzbrücke

Tuesday- Tour of the city, go see all the monuments, memorials and then join a special dancing tour around the city 🙂 Followed by the best Thai at papaya in Charlottenberg.

Wednesday – See if their is a sofar session to go to in Berlin or any other live music venues like the Hat Club for Jazz, DNA open mics or an indie concert at Prachwerk.

Thursday- It’s time to have an aperol in mitte, followed by dinner at Transit and a bottle of wine from Muret La Barba

Friday- Go have a lunch in the sun at the best beer garten in Tiergarten Cafe am Neun See then a long stroll in the park. Perhaps spoil ourselves with dinner at Ryotei 863 Berlin (I would have made a booking weeks ago 🙂 Find one of many lovely bars for cocktails

Saturday- Party Day! Go shopping for cool outfits at a flea market or 2nd hand vintage shops to either head out to Heideglühen for the ultimate day party that goes on and on… or be brave an feel totally free with a night at KitKat (Saturday is not as intense, so it’s a good day to go, don’t smile in line, wear something with leather or a unique costume) and maybe if the night takes us there, we would try our Berghain. All roads then lead to a good doner before sunrise.

Sunday- Suffer hard in the morning and rest! followed by mauer park for street music, flea markets and open air karaoke
Welcome to Berlin

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I couldn’t agree with this more, I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my family. They have all in different ways been my support system and cheerleaders. They have always told me that I should follow my passion and dream big. Yes, my parents also told me to get a degree in anything else as a backup plan lol but they have never waivered their belief in me, and for that, I am endlessly thankful. My father won’t miss a show if he can help it and he is the first person other than my husband who gets to listen to new material. My mum is a little more critical which is actually incredibly helpful. She will never give me a sugar-coated picture and that brings me down to earth. When my mother tells me, she believes I can make it- then I KNOW I can make it. My brother has never not been supportive, ever. He tells me how much he loves my strength and ability to be resilient and I should never give up. My husband is my backbone 🙂 He plays my music full blast in the car, he is my PR person, my confidant, and most importantly that shoulder to cry on when the industry gets too much. My aunt has opened huge doors and opportunities, my cousin sister is my creative champion and one of my other cousins literally opened the door to my music career. I love them all and I dedicate this to all of them- you know who you are.

Website: https://www.alishapopat.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alishapopat/?hl=en

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/alishapopatmusic

Other: Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/5N3jHlJY21ToHGszPs9NCn?si=5J3QxEwdQROs2upG1Dcx5Q

Image Credits
I have all the rights to the images