Rushil Aswal, a dynamic 25-year-old singer songwriter and producer from New Delhi is an artist whose music transcends conventional boundaries. Since 2022 when he started releasing his music, he has been driven by a relentless thirst for experimentation blending genres to craft sounds that resonate globally. His dedication to the craft is evident in his hit song ‘Kehne Laga’ which reached #1 trending spot in India. In a conversation with us, he talks to us about his journey so far.
1) Tell us a bit about you. How did you begin your journey as a singer/songwriter?
My name is Rushil Aswal. I’m a singer-songwriter, director, actor, visual artist, and producer from Delhi. I’ve been making music for about seven to eight years now.
Funnily enough, I wrote my very first song, “Kehne Laga,” when I was around 17 or 18. That was really the first time I felt the need to write something down—almost like journaling. Interestingly, about eight years later, a remake of that same song ended up gaining a lot of attention, which felt like a full-circle moment for me.
But really, I started taking songwriting seriously when I realized that everyone in the world goes through something—some challenge or struggle—and often what makes it harder is feeling like you’re the only one going through it. I wanted to write songs that I could relate to, in hopes that others might relate as well and feel a little less alone. That’s how I started making music more intentionally.
These days, I just love making music about anything and everything. Right now, for example, I’m working on a very romantic album. And that’s pretty much it!
2) Which bands/artists were your first love? Who is your biggest influence?
Well, I actually didn’t grow up listening to the classic greats like Queen or Elvis Presley. I was more of a mainstream listener—so in the early years, I was mostly into Bollywood music. Then in my teenage years, I developed a love for Justin Bieber. He was probably the first artist I really became a fan of, though back then I was oddly a bit shy to admit it!
I also remember liking a girl in eighth grade who loved One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer, so I ended up listening to them just to have something to talk about. Over time, I really got into those artists as well.
The music I’ve always listened to has been pretty mainstream—so big names like Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran have been constants for me. At one point, I really became a bit obsessed with Ed Sheeran because he’s someone I related to a lot. He wasn’t the stereotypical pop star in terms of looks, but he got where he is purely through talent, and that resonated with me.
If I had to name my top three influences, I’d say Justin Bieber for how he sings and uses his voice, Ed Sheeran for his songwriting, and Harry Styles for his performance style. Those three have definitely shaped a lot of my musical journey.
3) Tell us a bit about your chart-topping single ‘Kehne Laga.’
Of course. So, like I mentioned earlier, I actually wrote “Kehne Laga” when I was about 17 or 18 years old. Back then, the intention behind the song was quite different. I was going through a period where I felt really hurt by a few things and was frustrated with the world. At that time, the song was kind of an outlet for that frustration—it was almost like saying, “Hey, I don’t know if the world deserves me,” you know, just venting those feelings.
Fast forward to last year, in 2024, when I moved to Bangalore for work. I remember having a particularly low day and realizing that I didn’t have anyone nearby to turn to at that exact moment. My friends were all back in Delhi or abroad. That’s when it hit me that this is just part of adulting—sometimes you have to be okay with being on your own.
So the meaning of “Kehne Laga” evolved from just frustration to a kind of acceptance. It became about acknowledging that growing up can be complicated and sometimes lonely, but that’s okay. The only way forward is not to give up and to be all right with being alone at times.
4) What is your music-making and recording process like?
You know, there’s really no single defined process for me. Every song I’ve written or released so far has had its own unique journey. But if I were to outline a general approach, I’d say the first thing I focus on is the composition. I really care about the musical composition because I feel that music goes beyond just lyrics. If I can make someone who doesn’t even understand Hindi groove to my songs, then I feel like I’ve truly succeeded as a musician.
So, I start with the composition, then I write the lyrics based on the energy and vibe of the composition. Once I’ve got that foundation, I decide on the mood I want. Then I reach out to the producers I want to collaborate with. Right now, I’ve been working with three amazing producers: Shreshth, Arvasu Sharma, and Akhil Isaac—all incredibly talented people. I actually produced “Kehne Laga” myself, but for other tracks, I bring them in. After that, I head to the studio I usually record at Falsetto Studio in Rohini, Delhi (shout out to them!). And that’s pretty much how a song comes together for me.
5) Why do you make music? What drives you as a musician and what are your songs about?
One of the biggest reasons I make music is that it’s a form of journaling for me. I’ve realized that traditional therapy doesn’t really work for me—partly because, as a bit of a people pleaser, I sometimes find myself not being fully honest. But when I write a song or talk to a friend, that’s where I feel least judged and most honest. Since writing a song is the most accessible outlet for me, I tend to choose that most of the time.
Another reason is that songwriting is not just creatively fulfilling; it’s also something that’s accessible and, frankly, it’s how I make a living. So it’s both a need and a love.
What drives me as a musician is simple: I want to be the best I can be and create music that genuinely makes people feel something. It’s not just about having a song that does well on the charts; it’s about creating something that can touch someone’s life or make them feel less alone.
As for what my songs are about—well, they cover a lot of ground. I started off writing about mental health and the idea that it’s okay to have struggles. Right now, I’m working on a romantic EP called “Pyaar, Tukdon Mein…,” where I explore and explain how it feels to be in love, step by step. So I’m just having the time of my life making the music I want to make with people I love working with. It’s not that deep, but it’s a lot of fun.
6) Which Indian bands or artists do you admire? And why?
Taba Chake, Prateek Kuhad, Anuv Jain, and then of course a bit of Bollywood and Punjabi (Karan Aujla being #1 rn)
