Neha Sin
The Bluesfest locals series will introduce you to the talented music makers from the Ottawa area performing at this year’s RBC Bluesfest. Come on out early to Bluesfest and discover some great new local music!
Neha Sin
Friday, July 14
6:30 pm
Barney Danson Theatre
Bio
Neha Sin is a local Ottawa musician with a warm, honey-folk sound. With five years of professional performance experience in various venues, bars and coffee shops, she has created a name and presence for herself in Ottawa’s musical scene including being featured in Ottawa’s CityFest 2020 and 2022 and now the upcoming Ottawa Bluesfest 2023 as well as collaborating with CBC in their “Project Give 2020”. Neha Sin released her Debut EP, Signs of Pink ‘til Morning in November of 2018 and her following single, “Dont Look for me Now” in November 2021. Her sound is influenced by the pared down, hazy acoustics of Bob Dylan, Phoebe Bridgers, and Passenger. She finds lyrical inspiration in the contemporary folk verses of The Lumineers, Lizzy McAlpine, and Leonard Cohen.
In her work, the attention Neha Sin pays to experience is unbiased – the smallest of scenes and the grandest of emotions are depicted with the same tender respect. She is a modern folk storyteller, combining silky reverb with tales of nature and mixed-bag love affairs. Her verse focuses on the transitional. How do twenty-somethings move nowadays? Where are they going, who are they leaving, and what do they yearn towards? Neha Sin exists in the liminal space of morning light as she suggests both questions and answers. She floats between places and spaces and chords. Neha Sin sings with all the tender, nostalgic cling of warm honey.
The Talent
Neha Sin – Vocals, guitar
Lewis Begbie – Drums
Q&A
Who was the first person you told you were performing at Bluesfest this year?
The first person I told about Bluesfest was actually my best friend Marissa! She’s been living out east for a little while and back in March she came to visit for about a week. The day I went to pick her up from the airport I got the email about Bluesfest which was so heartwarming to share with her! My EP was actually named based on a poem she once wrote me so this was perfect to continue sharing my big music moments with her like this!
Please describe your sound.
I like to describe my sound as “Honey Folk”. I came up with this a while ago when I didn’t necessarily feel like folk was a good descriptor for me. I had little inspirations of folk but also singer songwriter and soft pop. There was so much mixed in there but I wanted people to understand what I meant when I described my genre and the term honey folk felt so true! It’s soft and sweet and comforting like honey all while holding the importance of folk.
How did you get started on your musical journey?
I’ve been singing forever but to actually talk about my musical journey, I would say it started when I moved to Ottawa in 2015 to go to University! By 2016/2017 I started getting involved in the open mic scene and I just loved being on stage. It definitely inspired me to want to start sharing my own music!
What’s your connection to Ottawa and the local music scene?
My connection to Ottawa musically is truly so close to my heart. Everything started in this city for me, my first open mics that weren’t a part of school, my first show, my first EP release party, just so many things that have shaped who I am. Now to talk about my first big music festival in this city brings me so much joy I could cry!
Will you be playing any new music at Bluesfest and/or releasing/released new music ahead of your performance?
I am working on having some new music ready for my performance! Although I won’t be releasing anything before the show I will be bringing some exciting news to announce at my show about my music!
What artists are you hoping to catch during this year’s Bluesfest?
I’ve had my eye on a couple of performers that I’ve been so excited to hopefully catch!!! Ideally I really wanted to see Shania Twain but I don’t think that one’s gonna work out. Aside from that I would love to catch Orville Peck, Charlotte Cardin, Fleet Foxes and Mumford and Sons! Although those are just a handful of who I’d like to catch, the line up this year just seems so exciting!
Any performances people could catch ahead of Bluesfest?
As much as I wish so, I just moved to a new place in May and my job really ramps up in the summer time, between those I haven’t had a chance to book a show before then! I am taking this as a chance to make sure my Bluesfest performance is truly as special as it can be!