A Chat with Vaanya Diva (05.06.25)
Vaanya Diva steps into the spotlight with her debut single ‘Time to Trade Up’. The track celebrates strength, freedom, and female empowerment. Showcasing her artistic maturity with this release, she preserves the sound of contemporary dance-pop. We speak with Vaanya Diva about her solo single and more below.
OSR: You’ve been known for your vocals for years, but this is your first release as a producer. What sparked the decision to take full creative control with ‘Time To Trade Up’?
Diva: To be honest, it was the impact of COVID that sparked a change in me. When we were asked to relinquish our freedoms – staying indoors and avoiding social interactions – I felt a shift within. Even though I hadn’t taken the stage in a while, the inability to do so suddenly made me restless. It’s that part of me that bristles at restrictions, and I came to the realisation that the essence of performance was absent from my life. I craved it, understanding that life is too fleeting to just sit around waiting for opportunities to arise.
I began to seek out musicians who shared my passion, eager to collaborate on new tracks. I recognised that the music I had made was from quite a while ago, and I needed fresh material to hit the road again. Since I never learned to play an instrument, I was hoping to find a guitarist or a pianist to work with. However, most of the musicians I encountered were focused on their own paths and, understandably, weren’t inclined to join me on my journey – figuratively speaking, of course.
That’s when I realised that if I wanted to take charge of my music, I needed to learn an instrument and create for myself. So, I signed up for piano lessons. I recalled my earlier attempts with the guitar, which hadn’t panned out. I found a fantastic teacher named Matt and shared my goal of producing my own music, emphasising that I needed to grasp the fundamentals of chords and progressions. Meanwhile, I immersed myself in countless YouTube tutorials on Logic Pro. Though my piano skills didn’t develop as gracefully as I hoped, I began to cultivate my unique sound. And as they say, the rest is history.
OSR: The track has such a powerful backstory. Can you share what it was like translating your sister’s experience into music without losing the emotional authenticity?
Diva: This is a timeless tale: one person meets another, one of them wants power over the other. The second person faces a choice: either they submit, struggle against the pressure but feel powerless, or they refuse to comply and sever the connection. I have experienced this myself. However, witnessing it unfold with someone close to you feels even more painful, as you find yourself powerless in the face of it. Writing about this experience became my way of acknowledging the moment had passed, and progress was taking shape, reminding us all why we deserve more.
OSR: Creating the song entirely with just your voice, your ears, and a laptop is no small feat. What was the most rewarding and the most challenging part of that process?
Diva: The most difficult aspect of this journey was the isolation I felt. Without anyone to turn to for guidance, I had to navigate every challenge on my own. I can’t emphasise enough how much I relied on YouTube for education. When I first submitted my two tracks for mixing and received them back, my reaction was one of shock. I couldn’t believe how far off the mark I had been. It was eye-opening to realise I hadn’t understood the quality of what I was submitting. I truly believe that having a mentor throughout this process could have made each step so much smoother. The greatest reward was in achieving my goal.
OSR: There’s a strong 90s dance and UK garage influence in the sound. Were there specific artists or moments from that era that shaped your sonic direction?
Diva: When I’m asked this, it can be tough to pinpoint a single answer because I’ve always enjoyed a diverse array of genres. I have a particular fondness for soulful house and UK garage, as those are the sounds that resonate with me when I hit the club. Yet, the CDs (yes, CDs) in my car span an eclectic mix from Kenny G to Marvin Gaye, Jill Scott, Jamiroquai, The Cinematic Orchestra, all the way to Mos Def. If I had to choose the tracks that I adore most and wish I had created, they’d be ‘Back to You’ by Ron Carroll and ‘Show Me Love’ by Robin S. These two songs are truly timeless; they capture both deep emotion and a pulsating beat that ignites a fire within.
OSR: You’ve spoken about reclaiming your voice after years of writing for others. How has that shift impacted your relationship with music itself?
Diva: I’ve fallen in love with music like never before. When you write for others, you often lose the opportunity to discover your own sound. Sure, it’s your voice and your lyrics, but I often wondered, would this be the vocal style I would have chosen if I had a blank canvas? I didn’t initially know what my sound was or what I truly wanted to create. Each track emerged from my emotions at that moment, which is why you’ll notice that each one is distinct from the others. Every piece reflects a different feeling, capturing the essence of where I was at that time.
OSR: “Empowerment starts within” is a powerful message. How has that mantra shown up in other parts of your life beyond music?
Diva: Growing up with very little taught me the value of hard work; we had to earn everything we had, and that began with my first paper round at the age of 10. There was no luxury of waiting for opportunities to come our way. If we wanted to improve our situation, we had to seize every chance that arose, or we would remain in the same place. Having a strong mother instilled in me the belief that self-confidence is one of the most essential tools I can possess. She taught me that I alone determine how far I can go in life, whether in my career, my relationships, friendships, or everyday interactions. It’s crucial for me to be clear about who I am so that I don’t waste time trying to conform to what others expect of me. Embracing my true self allows me to navigate life authentically and purposefully.
OSR: Do you remember the exact moment when you felt like the song was “finished”? What did that feel like as a producer for the first time?
Diva: I knew the project was complete when I found myself in the studio, blasting the track at full volume, singing at the top of my lungs, and dancing as if no one were watching. I had always promised myself that I would create music that resonated with me personally, rather than trying to cater to someone else’s tastes. The pride I felt in that moment was unparalleled. I had hoped I would reach this point, but it wasn’t until I actually experienced it that I realised I had made it.
OSR: How do you hope ‘Time To Trade Up’ resonates with listeners, especially those going through similar struggles as the one your sister overcame?
Diva: I really hope that listeners who are going through similar challenges find their voice, sometimes it’s in the most unlikely of places, where you hear that internal voice that says, ‘you know what? I’m better than this’.
OSR: From ‘Free’ to ‘Time To Trade Up’, your sound has evolved significantly. Where do you see your music heading next?
Diva: Literally anywhere the vibe takes me, watch this space.
OSR: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice before stepping into this chapter as a solo artist, what would it be?
Diva: Invest in a quality chair, because you’ll likely find yourself spending hours in the same spot, meticulously working on just one element of the track. I mean, it can easily turn into a marathon session! Your comfort during those long hours is essential.
Many thanks to Vaanya Diva for speaking with us. Find out more about Vaanya Diva on her Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Spotify.
