Sid Sriram is an Indian Carnatic musician raised in America. His music career has global and international roots. For those like myself who might be unfamiliar with Carnatic music, it is a subgenre of classical Indian music that evolved from Hindu text and tradition. It is commonly regionally associated with South India. Sid Sriram was born in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. His family moved to California when he was one and his Carnatic music teacher mother raised him on the music. Sid eventually found interest in and became a songwriter for both Carnatic music and R&B. This past Friday he released Sidharth, a 13 song album featuring a special song entitled, “Quiet Storm”. 

I was doing my daily deep dive into new music when I happened to come across this song. I must’ve heard 15 songs before it, many of which I quite enjoyed, but immediately this song stood out from the rest. From the first moments, Sid begins singing accompanied by synthesized keys. After a few lines and about 15 seconds of song play I realized why my ears perked up so much. The melodies, production, and vocal layering, all SCREAMED Bon Iver, one of my most favorite musical acts ever. I immediately recognized some either wildly coincidental stylistic similarities or tasteful and faithful inspiration from a fellow Bon Iver fan. After my initial captivation, I found that the song scratched every itch I look for in this type of music. It had glitchy moments that personify emotions, absolutely stellar melodies, a heavenly choir, and well-penned songwriting. One of the memorable moments from my first listen took place about halfway through the track. There was a certain voice I could recognize 10 miles away. In the foreground of the mix for only a moment, was a falsetto belonging to none other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. I immediately went to the internet to confirm my suspicions and see what other contributions he may have made to the track. He was listed as both a songwriter and producer and it was like watching the last fragment of a thousand piece puzzle perfectly slide into place. It filled me with genuine joy. I was both thrilled and surprised. It enhanced my listening experience several times over only because I love Bon Iver that much. It's experiences like this that truly define why I love digging into new music. You just find gems that would otherwise have never crossed your plate. 

Justin Vernon’s contributions aside, this song is truly phenomenal and Sid Sriram makes a nearly 6 minute song feel both blissful and well paced. To describe this song as anything other than a religious experience, or spiritual at the very least, would be both a disservice to the song and remarkably inaccurate. Given the song’s structure and pace, it lives in the power of its hymn. With the support of a lucious and celestial choir, mixed with keys that feel like they inhabit an illustrious organ, and uniquely tailored drum sounds, Sid takes us to church. He describes the storms brewing around him in a way that acknowledges their strength and brutality while also assuring himself that he is strong enough to weather the storm. It's a song of celebrating where you came from, and how that journey has led you to persevere through every piece of turmoil and debris that is thrown your way. The song is cathartic, uplifting, and feels like rejoice personified. Every inch of “Quiet Storm” is well crafted. With the help of Alex Epton and Ryan Olson’s production, SLGV Carnatic Choir’s vocal contributions, as well as Josh Berg’s engineering, Sid Sriram created not a song but an experience. 

I’ve heard a few cuts from Sidharth and if you find this track to your liking, you will find that much of Sidharth shares in its traits. For me, “Quiet Storm” has everything that a great song should have. It meets every desire I could ask for with its inventive songwriting and structure, holistic sonic vision, and of course, Bon Iver. “Quiet Storm” embodies the joy and freedom found in letting go. This is among my favorite songs that I’ve heard recently and I can’t wait to listen to more of Sidharth. “Quiet Storm” and Sidharth are available everywhere.

Author: Jordan

Jordan Wisniewski is a passionate writer and Hip-Hop artist from North Carolina, US.