We’re thrilled to have the exclusive opportunity to speak with the groundbreaking artist hachajah about his debut EP, No Place Like, which drops tomorrow. This highly anticipated release merges Sri Lankan influences with contemporary pop through hachajah’s innovative a cappella style.
In our conversation, we’ll discuss the stories and themes of each track, including the electric allure of “Closer,” the nostalgic reflection in “Colombo Sky,” and the heartfelt tribute of “Mother.” We’ll explore how hachajah’s personal experiences growing up in Sri Lanka and his vision for a hopeful future have shaped his music. Additionally, we’ll discuss the creative process behind the EP, the impact of his cultural heritage on his work, and what makes No Place Like a truly groundbreaking release.
Join us as we uncover the inspiration and artistry behind hachajah’s extraordinary new EP.
Your stage name, hachajah, is quite unique. Can you share the story or meaning behind it?
It certainly is unique. You can say that it’s a word from a universal language that is spoken by all at some point, but never understood. What language? Baby talk.
hachajah was one of the first words formed by the chattier of my twin daughters when they were about 7 months old. Grinning from ear-to-ear, her cute and tuneful voice was all excited to say the word. If we repeated it back to her, she would burst out laughing. It was one of those memories that will likely never fade. I like to believe she was referring to me, when she said it. So I claimed it as my artist name.
How did you discover your unique vocal style and artistic identity?
Back in Sri Lanka, I was part of an all-male a cappella group called the Revelations. Through their extensive stage performances, I discovered my own vocal style and artistic identity. In addition, I had the chance to explore my range and discover my ability to sing a variety of voice parts. This led me to start creating and recording a cappella music on my own, which in turn led to creating original work.
Moving from Sri Lanka to Boston must have come with its own set of challenges. How has this transition impacted your music and your approach to creating and performing?
I think sometimes it’s difficult to appreciate the beauty and value of something when it’s too close to you. At a distance, you have time and focus to appreciate it in a more thoughtful way. Moving to Boston allowed me to really appreciate the experiences and exposure I had growing up in Sri Lanka. The amazing and diverse people I met in Boston allowed me to really understand the uniqueness of Sri Lankan people and my own uniqueness in the grand scheme of things. That helped my creative process in a big way.
In what ways do you see your music bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding between different audiences? How important is this aspect of your work to you?
All of the songs in ‘No Place Like’ have a narrative that is set in South Asian culture with arrangements that are pop heavy (with the fusion of South Asian beats in “Colombo Sky”). My hope is that this mashup will help global audiences appreciate South Asian culture and its musical elements without having to move too far out of their comfort zone. At the same time, I hope this music inspires Sri Lankans to expand their musical style to cater to a wider global audience.
No Place Like seems to be deeply personal. Can you share a bit about what inspired you to create this EP and how it reflects your personal journey?
‘No Place Like’ is definitely personal and comprises thoughts and experiences that I’ve been translating into lyrics and music for a long time. It marks the start of something I consider to be a God-given purpose that I have been meaning to fulfil for a while. However, what ultimately kicked off the release of this EP was the birth of my twins. As I thought about their musical development, I realized that I would not be able to guide them well enough without really converging on my own musical identity. That really pushed me to get this phase of my journey started.
Without giving away too much, can you provide a glimpse into one of the tracks that you feel particularly connected to or proud of? What makes this track stand out for you, and what can listeners expect from it?
I’m particularly connected to “Colombo Sky,” mainly because of its underlying message of hope for a brighter future. It also blends South Asian beats and sounds with pop elements, and I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out. To me, what makes this track stand out are the transitions between musical sections. Listeners can expect to immerse themselves in an east-west musical fusion that balances appeal to both worlds.
Can you share any details about the themes or stories behind the EP’s tracks? What are some key elements or motifs that listeners should listen for when the EP drops?
“Closer” captures the essence of youthful lust, where every touch and glance feels electric. “Colombo Sky” weaves through cherished memories of a native experience in the city that one loves, and “Mother” is a poignant tribute to maternal sacrifice and unconditional love.
An interesting fact is that there are several motifs that recur across these songs. This was unintentional and a bi-product of my subliminal preferences. However, I will refrain from revealing them and encourage listeners to look for them as they listen through the EP.
Can you share a memorable moment from the recording process of No Place Like?
Rob Dietz, in consultation with Shams Ahmed, came up with a fabulous new arrangement for “Colombo Sky” based on the original arrangement that I shared with them. One of the parts was a single-note drone that ran for the first few bars after the intro and then reappeared in the last few bars of the song. I liked it. But my wife, upon listening to it, was a little hesitant in her appreciation of the long drone. As a compromise, I came up with a “thum-thum-thum” triplet repetition of the same note, which has this bell effect that ultimately became one of my favourite parts of the song.
As you prepare for the release of No Place Like, what are your hopes and expectations for this EP? Are there any upcoming performances or events that fans should be on the lookout for?
‘No Place Like’ is deeply personal. However, at the same time, all the themes in this EP have the potential to resonate with many other people across a variety of different communities. My hope is that the music reaches and touches those who need it the most.
‘No Place Like’ would be a fully digital release, so there would not be any live performances. However, I am working on a couple of singles that will follow the release of this EP, so stay tuned for those!
Stay tuned and make sure to follow hachajah for the release of his debut EP No Place Like dropping tomorrow, August 9th!
