A bit of a late post from me… 💌
I think I needed a little time to process the overwhelming amount of love I’ve received over the last couple of weeks.
I think it’s safe for me to say that the Khula Aakash Tour to Kathmandu was a grand success.
But not because of the applause, the adoration, the comeback, the two beautiful sold-out rooms, or those little pockets of silence where I could hear you singing back every word…of every song.
But because of the soul-healing connection I felt with you all. 🌿
A thread I’ve been longing to restitch between us for quite some time now. A connection I’ve missed more than I think I even realized.
And as I slowly made my way out of my little hermit cave 🦀… you all showed up.
So beautifully. So wholeheartedly. With so much love.
And somewhere in those two evenings, I felt a part of myself finding its way home again.
I don't think I have the words to fully describe the gratitude I feel.
For YOU.
Because of YOU, I get to continue pursuing what I believe I was always meant to pursue. This strange, beautiful, sometimes lonely, but deeply fulfilling journey of being an artist.
Thank you for giving my music a place to live beyond me. For growing alongside it. For carrying these songs with you through all these years. And for reminding me that the most beautiful part of making music has always been the connection it creates between us.
With all my love and gratitude, always.
Astha.
🪁🌿💌
#khulaaakashtour
Photo courtesy: Sandip Maha (@newa.photo), Dipesh Ranjit, Zyan Ranjit
15 beautiful days spent in KTM. 🪁💌
Days 1–5
Jet-lagged and catching up with family, somewhere between blurry states of mind. And coffee and masala chiya. Lots and lots of masala chiya…. and somedays a game of pickle ball.
Nutopia Craft, Tea and Coffee shop
Day 6 - 12 | Band Rehearsals
From the very first intro of Gotta Be Love, to the tight rendition of Muskuraye, to the subtle notes of Ma Ek Sapana and Khaali sending goosebumps all over my body.
There I was, inside the music, surrounded by four incredible musicians, constantly supporting me through every harmony, every note, every chord progression, every beat.
Flowing between sections, while being tightly bound by a click and backing tracks. Giving me the freedom to get lost in the music, to wander, to breathe, to follow wherever a moment wanted to take me, and somehow always find my way back to the structure I had once created in the recordings myself.
It's a strange and beautiful feeling, hearing something that once existed only in your head come alive through other people's hands, hearts and interpretations.
I think this is why I love songs so much.
Finding flow within structure.
The freedom to wander within something carefully constructed. To lose yourself without losing your way. To be human. #goosebumps
Arron Singh, Amrit Dangol, Bhushan Man Amatya, Astha Tamang-Maskey, Niraj Tamang. Photo Courtesy: @newa.foto
Bhushan Man Amatya
From hearing Bhushan dai play on the recordings of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, to being there in the flesh, playing alongside him.
Noticing the intricacies of his musicianship. Listening to the way he controls the dynamics of every snare hit, every delicate brushstroke across the snare, every kick. The subtlety, the intention, the restraint.
Wow. What an experience.
I think I spent every rehearsal trying not to gush over everyone's musicianship. But somehow, that's exactly what I found myself doing. Every. Single.Time.
What an honour it was to be in those sessions. Somewhere between cups of black tea, little musings, laughter, and music, I found myself getting to know everyone beyond their instruments, on a human level.
And perhaps that was just as beautiful as the music we were playing together.
🦢
#anabsolutehonour
Bhushan Man Amatya, Photo Courtesy: @newa.foto
Niraj Tamang
Niraj doesn't know that I've been referring to him as Goose to everyone close to me for quite some time now. It started a few years ago, when I couldn't stop gushing about finally finding my dream producer. My golden goose, I liked to call him. Haha.
The irony of it all? 🦆 has somehow become his favourite emoji. Every time he uses it, I have a little chuckle to myself. If only he knew. Hahaha.
For three months, Niraj worked tirelessly behind the scenes, organizing, arranging, and producing everything for the band. Every so often, I'd receive pictures of his meticulously organized Ableton sessions. Every little detail accounted for, every section beautifully mapped out.
Overkill? Absolutely.
But so beautifully, unmistakably Niraj. 🥹
You really have to get to know him to appreciate this particular quirk of his.
And somewhere beneath all that meticulousness is someone who cares so deeply about the music, who finds joy in the tiniest details, and who pours so much of himself into making something beautiful.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I hadn't just found my dream producer. I'd found a kindred musical spirit. Someone who loves and understands the little intricacies of music just as much as I do. :)
🦆
#goose
Amrit Dangol
There's something about Amrit and the way he navigates around his instrument…
Never have I EVER experienced so many goosebumps listening to someone play the bass. 🥹
And yet, there I was, night after night, experiencing this incredible rush of joy and wonder every time those low frequencies found their way into my body.
You see, I've always had a particular love affair with the lower frequencies in music. There's something so deeply grounding about them. The warmth, the weight, the way they seem to settle somewhere in your chest before you even register what you're hearing.
And Amrit… goodness gracious.
The way he moves between notes, the spaces he leaves between them, the way he knows exactly when to hold back and when to let the bass speak.
And perhaps that's what I loved most. Nothing ever felt forced. Every note had intention, every little movement had feeling.
I found myself smiling at the most unexpected moments, sometimes in the middle of singing, simply because of something he'd just played.
I don't know if you ever noticed, Amrit, but your bass lines made me ridiculously happy. Haha.
What a beautiful thing, to make someone feel music that deeply.
🪿
#boosegumps
Amrit Dangol. Photo Courtesy: @newa.foto
Arron Singh
The youngest in our tribe… and the person I found myself looking towards every time I lost my place in a song…haha.
Arron quickly became my on-stage confidante.
Sometimes, the music sounded SO beautiful that my ADHD brain would completely forget that I'd already sung the bridge a section ago. And there I'd be, looking over at Arron, desperately searching for some reassurance, a visual cue on the click, ANYTHING to remind me where on earth we were in the song. xD
He always knew. Haha.
And then there's his guitar solo in the band rendition of the song Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.
There's a bridge in the song where I get to step away from the microphone and just listen to Arron play. And goodness, what a treat that was.
I remember watching him play, completely mesmerized, alongside the audience, by the sheer amount of soul dripping from every single guitar note.
There's something really special about a musician who knows how to make a guitar sing.
And Arron, really makes his guitar Sing-hhhhhh. [get it? ;)]
🐣
#souloooo
Arron Singh. Photo courtesy: @newa.foto
Ian Sahas Amatya
Somewhere along the way, I made myself a little best friend in the studio, without whom sessions started to feel rather incomplete.
From having his ears practically glued to my studio monitors, listening ever so intently, to finding myself missing his company during morning sessions when he had school. Haha.
And if that wasn't enough to melt my heart, Ian waited for me after my show at Moksh, just so we could have dinner together.
Now, if that doesn't make us best friends, I don't know what does! Hahaha.
Some friendships really do sneak up on you in the sweetest little ways.
🥚
#besties
Ian Sahas Amatya. Photo Courtesy: @newa.foto
Binaya Man Amatya and The Project Studio Team
Working tirelessly behind the scenes was Binaya Man Amatya, the man behind the mixing console, making us sound so darn good on both nights. And of course, the entire Project Studio team, who poured their blood, sweat, and tears into bringing these shows to life.
Somewhere in between ongoing Nepal tour dates with Bipul Chhetri, the team somehow found the time, capacity, and energy to manage just about every aspect of our two nights at Moksh and Trisara.
From looking after the band and crew to making sure the audience and I had a smooth experience, there were a thousand little moving pieces, most of which you'd never even know existed unless something went wrong. Haha.
But Binaya wasn't just our live sound engineer on those two nights.
For three months leading up to the shows, he'd been my partner in crime, helping me orchestrate the whole thing as I had made the rather strange and bold decision to take on these Kathmandu shows without an event promoter.
Thankfully, the wonderful teams at AN Holdings and Trisara came on board to help bring our second show to life, too.
And goodness, what an undertaking it all turned out to be. xD
There were countless decisions to make, unexpected challenges to navigate, and a whole world of work happening behind the scenes that never quite makes it into the photographs or videos.
But through it all, the Project Studio team helped me turn what initially felt like a rather ambitious idea into two beautiful evenings of music.
So much of what made those nights possible happened long before any of us stepped onto that stage.
And for that, I am deeply, deeply grateful. 🙏
And perhaps, someday, if I'm lucky enough, I'll find myself a family like the one at Project Studio. What a beautiful thing to be a part of. Even if it was just for 2 nights. 🫶
In Between Rehearsals
Somewhere between long rehearsal days, running on jet lag, and trying to remember what day of the week it was, I somehow found myself wandering into rooms full of wonderful creative minds, making music I hadn't even planned on making. Haha.
On Day 6, I'd found my way to R&B singer-songwriter Vek and the amazing team at Class X Presentation recording live sessions at The Plaza. And somewhere between the jet lag, a few late-evening takes, and a spontaneous collaboration with producer POZOD and Vek, Spell On Me came to life.
Produced, recorded, mixed, mastered, and released. All within a matter of hours, on the very same day. xD
There's something rather magical about walking into a room with fellow musicians, with no expectations, and walking out with a finished song.
A little reminder of how wonderfully spontaneous making music can be.
Day 7 | THL MUSIC 🎙️
On Day 7, I found myself sitting down with the wonderful team at THL Music for a conversation that wandered far beyond the music itself.
From the history and evolution of Nepali music to questions of privilege, opportunity, and the realities of navigating this industry as an independent artist, we explored some rather thought-provoking territory.
I’ve always appreciated conversations that invite us to look a little deeper, question our own perspectives, and reflect on the world we create music in.
A lovely little detour amidst the whirlwind of rehearsals. 💌
Day 8 | Sano Podcast 🎤
On Day 8, I found myself sitting across from the beautiful souls at Sano Podcast, completely unaware of just how much I needed the conversation that was about to unfold.
Somewhere between revisiting old memories, reflecting on the many versions of myself I've had to become, and exploring the delicate dance between our shadows and our light, I felt something in me soften.
We spoke about what it means to become whole. About learning to embrace not just the parts of ourselves we're proud of, but also the parts we've hidden away, the ones we've struggled to understand, and the ones we're still learning to love.
And perhaps, how becoming whole isn't about becoming someone new but finding the courage to welcome every little piece of ourselves back home.
There's something incredibly healing about being listened to. Not just heard, but truly listened to. With curiosity, tenderness, and the kind of care that makes you feel safe enough to let your guard down.
I walked away wishing we'd had more time but carrying something I hadn't quite expected to find that day.
A little piece of my artist soul, gently healed. 💌
Day 8 | Tea Talk: A Pause in Time with @begumbeli Jenn 🍵
By Day 8, I was beginning to realize just how little time I'd given myself to simply slow down and be.
Thanks to a kind invitation from Ramuna Pun, I finally found my way to Calm Tangalwood for a morning of tea and conversation with Jenn.
And what a lovely little change of pace it was.
Over cups of tea, we wandered into conversations about womanhood, self-love, and the little rituals that bring us back to ourselves.
About the many expectations we carry as women, the different versions of ourselves we grow into, and the tenderness it takes to embrace them all.
A little reminder that there's beauty in softness, strength in slowing down, and something deeply nourishing about the spaces we create for ourselves.
Thank you, Ramuna, for bringing us together, and Jenn, for such a lovely little pause in time.
A little more tea, a little more tenderness, and perhaps a little less rushing through life. 🍵
A Sit-Down with ECS Living & WOW Magazine
My conversations with the lovely teams at ECS Living and WOW Magazine brought a different kind of reflection.
There's something rather surreal about being asked to look back at your own life and make sense of the many chapters that brought you here.
The younger version of me who simply wanted to write songs, the dreams I carried, the detours I never anticipated, and the ways my relationship with music has changed as I've grown older.
Sometimes, it takes someone else's curiosity to make you pause and recognize just how far you've travelled, not just as an artist, but as a person.
And perhaps what I appreciate most about these conversations is the opportunity to revisit those little pieces of myself I don't often stop to think about. To see how much has changed, how much has stayed the same, and how much of that younger girl still lives somewhere within me.
Thank you to the wonderful teams at ECS Living and WOW Magazine for making room for my stories, and for allowing me to share a little more of the person behind the music. 💌
SHOW DAYS | October 9 & 11 🪁🌿
And just like that, the days we'd spent months preparing for had finally arrived.
It's funny how something that takes so much time, energy, and heart to put together can pass by in what feels like the blink of an eye.
One minute, you're buried in spreadsheets, rehearsals, phone calls, and a seemingly endless list of things that need your attention. And the next, you're standing backstage, hearing the familiar hum of an audience settling into a room, waiting for the lights to dim.
And suddenly, there's nothing left to organize, nothing left to plan.
Just the music.
Moksh on October 9. Trisara on October 11.
Two nights that seemed to carry a little bit of everything. Nervous excitement, laughter, unexpected little moments, a few happy tears, and the beautiful unpredictability of live music.
I wish I could bottle up some of those moments and keep them forever. The little exchanges between bandmates, the laughter backstage, the quiet moments before stepping into the lights, and the collective sigh of relief when it was all over. Haha.
And then, just as quickly as it had all come together, we were packing up our instruments, saying our goodbyes, and finding our way back to our respective corners of the world.
There's always something a little bittersweet about that part.
For months, our lives had revolved around this one shared purpose. And for two evenings, all those separate little worlds came together to create something that existed only in that moment.
Then, we let it go.
Perhaps that's one of the most beautiful things about live music. Its fleeting nature. The fact that no matter how carefully we prepare, we can never quite recreate the same evening twice.
And maybe we're not supposed to.
Some things are simply meant to be lived, felt, and carried with us.
So, here's to all the little moments in between, the people who made them possible, and the memories I'll be tucking away for a long, long time.
What a beautiful little chapter this has been.
Little Pieces of Love, Carried Home 💐💌
And then there were the flowers, the handwritten letters, the beautiful jewellery, the books, and all the thoughtful little gifts. 🥹💌
And oh, those letters…
The stories you shared, the little pieces of your lives you trusted me with. Some had me in tears for days.
To think that songs I created in a quiet little corner of my world could find their way into yours and mean so much.
Your words came home with me, tucked away somewhere close to my heart. I know they'll find their way into songs I haven't written yet, and into the quiet moments when I need reminding of why I chose this life.
I love you all so much. And I hope, in some small way, my music continues to love you back. 🥹💐💌
Here's to a seed growing into a wildflower, a spark growing into a wildfire.
Until we meet again 🌿
Courtesy: Rajiv Prajapati, Himalayan Times