What happens when a relationship sours? What happens when heartbreak turns all the good memories into negative scenarios where all you want to do is get away from the person causing you grief? What happens when you feel you are at a dead end and there is nowhere to proceed from?
It is these feelings of sadness and heartbreak that Siddhant Goenka highlights in his new single ‘Alvida’. He has peened as well as sung this soulful Hindi number. He gave the music with Pratham Sheth, and it released on June 13.
At its core, the song captures the sadness and loneliness one feels when going through a heartbreak. Its lyrics embody the feelings of a person who has been betrayed and is itching to get out of the relationship by goading their partner into letting them move on in life.
Despite its heavy message, the song has a catchy tune. “This dynamic pop-rock track is here to sweep you off your feet with its electric guitars, distinctive distorted alaap post-chorus, and a rollercoaster of emotions. ‘Alvida’ is a powerful reflection on all relationships that have seen better days and eventually faded away. With a verse-chorus structure, the song moves from verses filled with hope to a chorus brimming with anguish and anger. The emotional depth is palpable, making this track both – intense and uplifting,” explains Goenka.
An indie artist, songwriter, composer, and vocalist, hailing from Kolkata, Goenka’s learnings about music were shaped by the diverse influences of his parents. His father introduced him to ghazals, with Jagjit Singh becoming a daily musical companion, while his mother introduced him to classics like Hemant Kumar’s ‘Jaane Woh Kaise’ and Mohammad Rafi’s ‘Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe’.
His elder brother introduced him to iconic bands like Scorpions, The Eagles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and Metallica. He would accompany his mother to live shows featuring Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam too.
When he was in the sixth grade, Goenka performed K.K.’s ‘Yaaro Dosti’ in front of his entire school. Emboldened by this experience, he later participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Little Champs, encountering Abhijeet as a judge. His college years brought further recognition as he confidently sang the unplugged version of ‘Gulabi Aankhen’, which led to him becoming the lead singer in the college band.
He has released four tracks till now – ‘Kacchi Raahon Pe’,’Jazbaat’,’Pari’ and ‘Farishtey’ – all of which are available on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. Collectively, his music has garnered over 1,000,000 views and streams across these platforms. He began publishing his work in August 2023, and has quickly amassed over 20,000 YouTube subscribers and over 40,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Additionally, his music has been featured in over 2,000 Spotify playlists, including an editorial playlist called Naya Indiestaan. One of his songs ‘Farishtey’ also received airplay across 37 cities on 93.5 Red FM.
Since their first release together, ‘Kacchi Raahon Pe’, which came out in August 2023, Goenka and Sheth have become a team to watch out for. Goenka explains, “Ours is a partnership of collaboration. We keep pushing each other to explore new creative heights. I pen the lyrics and craft the melodies, while Pratham helps turn these ideas into polished gems. Together, we experiment with diverse sounds and elements, bringing a fresh twist to every song.”
To this, Sheth adds, “Siddhant’s creative journey always starts with voice notes, capturing melodies and lyrics as they come to him. ‘Alvida’ flows naturally without a bridge, feeling complete in its verse-chorus structure. The verses carry a hopeful tone, transitioning into a chorus that is raw with emotion. One of the standout moments in ‘Alvida’ is the alaap paired with a solo guitar. This spontaneous addition wasn’t planned but emerged naturally in the studio, embodying Siddhant’s belief in the unplanned magic of music creation. This emotional spontaneity is what gives ‘Alvida’ its unique charm.”
The music video accompanying this song has been created entirely using AI tools. In keeping with the passionate theme of the song, the video features a figure wearing a leather jacket, strumming a guitar against the backdrop of the world on fire. As the song progresses, the backdrops become even more eerie and dark sending a strong message. However, the singer is keen that people interpret these visuals in whatever way they deem fit.
“I believe in letting the audience create their own narrative, making the experience deeply personal. This abstract approach invites viewers to connect with the music on their own terms, adding a unique layer to the song’s emotional impact,” he shares with candour.
Goenka enjoys pushing boundaries and experimenting with his music. He sees the creative process as an endless journey of discovery, which allows him to constantly explore new ways to tell stories through his songs. “I have lots more music on the horizon, and I promise to keep surprising my audience with fresh and innovative creations. Stay tuned and enjoy the ride,” he says, signing off.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.