INDIE SPOT
London Based Swedish Singer-Songwriter Yajna Talks About, The Love for Her Craft, Upcoming Projects and More.
How did you come by your stage name?
Yajna is my real name, and it’s from India and in Hinduism meaning worship, devotion, sacrifice. My parents were Hippies back in the days, and they named me Yajna after they discovered my name in some ways I can’t really tell because it was like a miracle. I find my name very unique and the meaning of my name goes so well with what I am doing!
When did you discover your love for your craft and what made you realize you wanted to pursue a career in it?
I grew up in a family of musicians, my mother is a composer, she was working as an organ player in the church, and my dad was a guitarist. As far as I can remember, as a child, I’ve always dreamt of being an artist and making music.
I started to sing in the church choir at a young age and was performing solo for the first time in the church at the age of 7. I wrote my first song when I was 10, and I had my younger sister as a backing vocalist, I still remember that song so well!
Music has always been a great power in my life, and I started a gospel choir with my mom when I was 15. But for many years I didn’t have the courage to take the step to become an artist. After my divorce three years ago, I finally decided to give music my all.
I realized that music was my way to happiness and my way to express myself and I felt it was meant to be. I have a message to the world with my music and it’s all about self-love, empowerment, and acceptance of who you are. I want to inspire others to follow their dreams!
“Think it. Believe it. Receive it. -Law of attraction.”
To what or whom do you accredit your sense of style?
I get inspired by strong female artists such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Madonna and Alicia Keys. They go by their own rules and style and are icons in both music and fashion. And also my mother inspires me because she always does things her own way, and she is a cool and very loving mom.
On your upcoming project, how did you come up with the concept?
It was after a very traumatic divorce that it all happened. I got divorced three years ago and it was a very chaotic time in my life. I got into a deep depression a while after my divorce, I couldn’t sleep or eat for half a year, and I was in a very bad state of mind. I had forgotten all about myself and had no self-love.
I lost my will to live and was almost dying at a point. Thanks to the love for my children and thanks to music, I’m alive today! I was seeking professional help to get well too, and when I came back to life again, I told myself to never let anyone or anything bring me down again, I felt that I was reborn and was given a new chance in life.
I looked in the mirror and said to myself, you are the Rising Phoenix, you have risen from ashes into the fire, and I started to feel free and stronger than ever before. I was now reborn into my alter ego, the Rising Phoenix.
The story of the Phoenix is similar to my life and it has become my life project. Music started to come to me, and it became a movement with a record label, entertainment company making music videos and films and a lot more. I’m bringing the message of self-love, hope, and empowerment. I’m living my dream life!
What are some of your greatest challenges, and what is your greatest attribute when it comes to your work ethic?
My greatest challenge and my greatest love in life are to be the best mother I can for my children and to protect them as their mother but at the same time give them the freedom everyone needs. It’s always both a blessing and a challenge being a parent.
What I challenged a lot before was the feeling of being different and I tried to just fit in, but now I allow myself to be just me, and I’m proud of myself and I give myself love and respect.
And also being a single mother of two with a house, a job, living far away from big cities in the middle of nowhere, it’s a challenge just to be able to record my music, and a big challenge is to make sure my children and I have all we need for our everyday life.
I feel like a big challenge in the life of an artist is that you meet a lot of different feelings towards your art and some might of course not support you or your work, it’s just to remind that your mission is not to satisfy people, your mission is to reach out to the ones that will take your work into their hearts and you will reach out to the ones that need your message.
Another challenge for me is that I’m also a vegan and that hasn’t always been just easy, so many out there question your choice instead of asking you how to live your best life as a vegan. It’s a way of doing what I can for the animals and for this planet. I find myself often being different or being out of the box, challenging myself all the time, trying my best in life to make a difference and to make an impact that benefits this planet and the reason why we are here on this earth.
My greatest attribute I must say is my always positive mindset, I’m a fighter and I don’t know how to give up! I always keep pushing myself and I always try to see things from a positive perspective.
I have so much energy and I’m very curious about life, life is a blessing and a gift, I try to make every day as beautiful as it can be! And also I’m a person that is forgiving and very loving, which gives me a lot of energy and a lot of great vibes.
My music and my work are inspired by everyday life and my experiences, being curious about life gives me so much inspiration! Iäm also very driven and goal-oriented, I never stop pushing myself, cause I know all the hard work I put in will pay off. Everything happens for a reason.
Are you the best at what you do in your opinion?
I would say that I do everything with passion and love, and I’m just being me, and yes I am absolutely the best at being me! I think that everything happens for a reason.
I’m making my music for the reason of helping and inspiring others, and that I am very good at! I feel like I have my own genre, and I named it atmospheric/cinematic soul/RnB, so on that one I would say I am the best at what I do! You gotta give yourself love!
What are your plans for the near future?
I’m soon releasing the last part of the Trilogy of the Rising Phoenix, called “Rising Phoenix”, and also a dancefloor remix, and that’s part of my EP. I’m soon launching a jewelry line together with Giantto, I am about to write a book about my life, and I soon have a documentary about my life out as well.
I’m also planning on launching a clothing line for all superheroes out there! My debut album I’m planning to release this spring, and it’s called “The Rising Phoenix”. I will be shooting some music videos for my singles, and I have a very nice surprise for one of the videos, so join the movement of joy and power!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank, any shout outs?
I would, first of all, like to thank my children, they are my everything, without them, I would not be here today! And also my beloved mother and my beloved father for always being there for me and loving and supporting me, my siblings for all the love and support and my closest friends for loving me for who I am.
And a big thanks to all my fans out there, you are a blessing and for you, I keep on being creative! My team for sharing my vision, Theiproducer, Jimmy Burney, MAP studio and Duncan Thornley, Jatin Vats, Quite Great PR, Music Promo Today and SAADVY. Amen, bless you all.
How can fans find you?
I would love for my fans to visit my social @
What suggestions do you have for other artists like yourself?
Always be true to yourself and do what you love. Do everything with love and passion. Never stop dreaming and nothing is too big or too crazy to make come true.
Hard work pays off, patience is the key. Find people to work with that shares your vision and that you can trust. Always keep pushing yourself, the sky is just the beginning, stay limitless.
Network! Sharing is caring, as soon as you start sharing, things will come to you.
Think it. Believe it. Receive it. Law of attraction.
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