The magic of astha abides, grows
“Music is always a way I document my experiences,” said Astha Tamang-Maskey during her come-back show at Moksh on O c t o b e r 9 , “and by performing it, they become shared experiences”.
Spanning nearly two decades of songwriting, the music of Tamang-Maskey has adorned and accompanied every significant phase of life for a particular generation of Nepalis who grew up in the 2010’s. As she uttered these words, they found a special parallel to her sentiment, in their own way.
- The Himalayan Times
THE RISING WOMEN OF NEPALI MUSIC
Astha Tamang Maskey is a Kathmandu-born Nepali singer-songwriter, guitarist and sound engineer known for her intimate acoustic sound, blending pop, folk, soul, R&B and alternative influences. Her albums include “Sabai Thikai Huncha” (2009), “Ma Ek Sapana” (2012), “Muse” (2020) and “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” (2024). Her songs “Jhuto Satya” and “Harek Saas Sita” received Hits FM nominations, while “Chodera Najau” earned five Hits FM nominations and won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2019. She also won Radio Kantipur’s Best Pop Female Vocalist award in 2010 and Best Singer (Pop Female) in 2022.
For a musician, the exploration and expression of emotion can be as important as a song’s lyrics and melody. Astha Tamang Maskey is one of those musicians whose songs feel less like a performance and more like an invitation into a private space. Her music carries emotion with a quiet honesty, allowing listeners to find pieces of their own experiences within it. For Astha, that sense of connection is rooted in vulnerability: the willingness to look inward, question what she feels and allow those feelings to take shape through music.
- WOW Magazine
Astha Tamang-Maskey | Sano Podcast| EP. 08
In an intimate and heartfelt conversation with Sano Podcast, singer-songwriter Astha Tamang-Maskey reflects on her musical journey, personal growth, and the experiences that have shaped her both as an artist and as an individual. From her early beginnings in music to navigating the challenges of an independent career, Astha opens up about her creative process, the stories behind her songs, and her evolving relationship with songwriting and self-expression. The conversation explores themes of vulnerability, identity, resilience, and the importance of meaningful human connections, offering a personal glimpse into the artist beyond the music.
- Sano Podcast
THL MUSIC | Musical Journey & Returning to Roots | EP. 89
In a candid and thought-provoking conversation with THL Music, singer-songwriter Astha Tamang-Maskey reflects on her journey as an independent artist while engaging in challenging discussions surrounding privilege, opportunity, and the realities of navigating the music industry. The conversation also delves into the history and evolution of Nepali music, exploring its changing landscape, cultural influences, and the experiences of artists across generations. Through honest dialogue and differing perspectives, Astha examines the complexities of artistic identity, creative freedom, and the relationship between personal circumstances and opportunity, offering a nuanced reflection on the past, present, and future of Nepali music.
THE FREEDOM OF KNOWING WHAT YOU WANT
Astha Tamang-Maskey exists in the spaces between things: between languages, between continents, between the woman onstage with her guitar and the woman in her garden watching hummingbirds. Her mother, Susan Maskey, is a writer and lyricist, and young Astha found herself drawn to her notebooks, putting melodies to poems, learning early that words could become music. By 14, she was writing her own songs, placing everything she was feeling into music without calculation or doubt about whether it was good enough. "
I just loved making things. I think I've spent a lot of my adult creative life trying to find my way back to that freedom," she says. Across four studio albums and a career spanning singing, songwriting, sound engineering and the business side of music, there is an artist who has learned something essential: authenticity is not a phase you go through. It is the ground you stand on.
- ECS living
Where do songs come from?
Astha Tamang-Maskey is a singer-songwriter raised in a deeply musical family. As the daughter of two Nepali musicians, she shares how legacy, culture, and curiosity shaped her artistic path.
In this episode, Astha talks about her album and visual projects, the importance of play in creativity, and how she reconnects with her creative source. She also reflects on live performance, balancing health with artistry, and the personal growth behind her evolving sound. An intimate conversation about staying grounded, creative, and true to oneself.
Astha launches fifth album
against a nostalgic backdrop
The name Astha Tamang - Maskey holds a special place in the chronicles of modern Nepali music. At a time when independent solo musicians were a rare phenomenon, 19-year-old Tamang-Maskey rose to prominence with her debut album, Sabai Thikai Huncha in 2009. Over the next few years, she quietly became an instrumental figure in the evolution of modern Nepali music as a whole. Tamang-Maskey recently returned to the public eye to celebrate her fifth album release, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.
The event took place on August 31 at the QFX Cinemas in Chhaya Center, a novel audiovisual experience that was as much about the old as it was about the new. Speaking in the midst of close family, friends, and collaborators, her voice brimmed with gratitude and nostalgia as she walked the audience down the memory lane, presenting an acoustic set of her most cherished classics, in their purest form.
As the set opened with It’s Gotta Be Love, the years rolled back and the audience found themselves living their yesteryears, beloved memories evoked through the magic of the strings. Each note shaped by Tamang-Maskey’s voice felt tinged with an added significance, a noticeable depth of feeling; each song brought back memories of a different time. Harek Saas Sita brought on a sweet nostalgia that spoke of a different time than Sabai Thikai Huncha. The opening notes of Khaali brought to mind its iconic music video, each avant garde change in pace evoking vivid visualisations of its allegorical drama.
- The Himalayan Times
Stylistic Freedom of Music
The unique sound of singer-songwriter Astha Tamang-Maskey cast its magic over every Nepali who was growing up around the decade of 2010s.
She released her first album Sabai Thikai Hunchha at the age of 19 in 2009. Having moved out to Canada at the age of 12, it represented a desire to connect with her Nepali roots. A deep connection to the art form driven by a rich musical childhood developed a unique musical identity that struck a chord with the Nepali audience. Driven by a passion for continuous evolution, she graced the Nepali audience with music that was beyond its time. Her latest album Muse, released mid-January, continues to embody these values.
It all started right at home, with an environment where “there wasn’t a single day when music was not playing in our home”. From her mother’s ghazal collections and Nepali classic records to her father’s passion for western classics like The Beatles, it was a fertile musical environment.
At the same time, she also forged a deep connection to the acoustic guitar. “Picnics and bonfires, my parents happily slow dancing, uncles strumming away and showing me different guitar chords” — Tamang-Maskey credits memories such as these as the reason why the instrument sits at the heart of all her songs.
- The Himalayan Times
Astha Tamang-Maskey Releases the First Single from Her Upcoming Album
Toronto-based Nepali singer, Astha Tamang-Maskey released the title track of her upcoming album, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ from her official YouTube channel on Saturday.
Produced by Kobid Bazra from Bajra Creation Records, the album track, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ comprises the lyrics of Susan Maskey, Astha’s mother. Susan Maskey was also a lyricist in Astha’s last two albums: ‘Sabai Thikai Huncha’ and ‘Ma Ek Sapana’.
On a press statement released, Astha said, “I believe that true music comes from the source and I'm simply a messenger. The last couple of years have been transformational. I've discovered pieces of myself and healed in ways I never thought I would. I hope this new song brings all of you as much joy as it brings me.”
Astha Tamang-Maskey is an indie alternative pop singer/songwriter and a rising sound engineer. With 2 studio albums released, she is currently working on her third full-length Nepali album, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’
- myRepublica—The New York Times Partner
Astha Tamang-Maskey’s New Muse
Two of the first three singles—More and Muse—of Astha Tamang-Maskey’s latest EP have been released, and the third is slated to release on August 31. These songs are a testament to her growth as an artist. She has embraced the electronic wave while still retaining her signature touch. Her earlier two albums are more singer-songwriter oriented and her new single retains that emotive flair.
However, her new singles also show that her music has matured considerably over the years as she has become a more versatile artist. Her latest release is an EP under the name Muse.
- Kathmandu Post
Astha: more
Toronto-based, Kathmandu-born Astha’s soulful new single “More” marries warm pop sensibilities with thoughtful, emotion-laden lyrics. “The verses represent the struggles of a relationship; of feeling frustrated, lonely and misunderstood,” she explains to CH, “While the brighter choruses represent the calm after the storm, where your love for the person helps you put all differences aside.” From start to finish, it’s a success. The track will appear on Astha’s forthcoming EP, Muse.
- Cool Hunting
The Artist Explains: Astha - 'Ride' Ft. Manny Rite (Video)
Toronto based singer-songwriter Astha speaks to WTHB about the concept behind her music video and single 'Ride' ft. Manny Rite. Beautiful in its ambient, electronic pop simplicity, 'Ride' features Toronto based rapper Manny Rite and and was produced by The Author.
- WTHB
Ma Ek Sapana
Ma Ek Sapana' excels in three areas that have come to define the quintessential Astha Tamang-Maskey sound: a versatile voice, atmosphere and sonic experimentation. Although the sound is a logical progression from her previous full-length album 'Sabai Thikai Huncha' and the more recent, experimental '11:11', this album is a unique, balanced, more mature oeuvre that invites listeners to connect, emotionally, to its words, music and ideas.
- Neustadt.fr
Redefining
Sabai Thikai Huncha is more than just a Nepali pop album; for a change it's a pop album by a Nepali, one that sets a new bar for the music industry in Nepal.
- Pg.46, Y! Magazine