August 23, 2025
Inside the art of songwriting: How Sijya transforms ideas into unforgettable songs
New Delhi-born composer and producer, Sijya, is preparing to release her second EP, _Leather & Brass_, following her debut, _Young Hate_. With guidance from producers Matthew Herbert and Hugh Jones, Sijya has refined a meticulous and personal songwriting method that balances experimental sound design with expressive rhythm and carefully crafted lyrics.
Her approach reveals a detailed progression through six key stages, transforming fleeting ideas into fully realized compositions.
Her approach reveals a detailed progression through six key stages, transforming fleeting ideas into fully realized compositions.
Sijya
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Key Takeaways
Sijya, a New Delhi-born composer and producer, details her methodical approach to songwriting that combines experimental sound design with expressive rhythm and carefully crafted lyrics.
- Sijya begins her songwriting process with crafting an instrumental foundation, focusing on sounds from digital synthesizers and drum programming.
- She integrates vocals by recording improvisations and selecting phrases that resonate with her lyric journal entries to define the song's theme.
- The final stage involves refining the full track to balance its original energy and polish, a process she reserves for tracks she plans to release.
Crafting the instrumental foundation
Sijya begins each song by searching for compelling sounds within digital synthesizers, often starting with presets she tweaks extensively to highlight elements that inspire her. She adjusts the tonal qualities using equalizers when needed to enhance the atmosphere. Once she discovers a satisfying chord progression or melodic fragment, she constructs a simple pattern to develop further.
Next, she focuses on selecting or creating the ideal drum sounds, especially the kick drum, which sets the emotional tone.
Recently adopting Ableton’s drum rack for drum programming, Sijya emphasizes making grooves that complement the synth layers without overpowering them. She discards many drum loops during this period, striving instead for expressive, rhythmic movement that enhances the track’s mood.
From there, Sijya expands promising loops into rough arrangements by adding basslines, additional synths, and percussion elements. This stage allows the song’s structure to emerge as she refines the instrumental sections to a cohesive whole.
Next, she focuses on selecting or creating the ideal drum sounds, especially the kick drum, which sets the emotional tone.
Recently adopting Ableton’s drum rack for drum programming, Sijya emphasizes making grooves that complement the synth layers without overpowering them. She discards many drum loops during this period, striving instead for expressive, rhythmic movement that enhances the track’s mood.
From there, Sijya expands promising loops into rough arrangements by adding basslines, additional synths, and percussion elements. This stage allows the song’s structure to emerge as she refines the instrumental sections to a cohesive whole.
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Integrating vocals and polishing lyrics
Once the arrangement takes shape, Sijya records vocal improvisations, often using spontaneous gibberish to capture raw emotions and melodies. She reviews these recordings and extracts phrases that resonate, removing parts that feel awkward or too conventional.
Parallel to this, she draws from a dedicated lyric journal app, where she collects spontaneous lines inspired by daily experiences, conversations, or reflections. By matching lyrical ideas with her vocal melodies, Sijya defines the song’s thematic direction.
The final phase of her process is the most demanding: polishing the full track. This involves balancing refinement with preserving the original energy, a task she finds challenging and time-consuming. She often reserves this step for tracks she plans to release, ensuring each song evolves from a rough idea to a polished piece ready for listeners.
Sijya’s new single "Tabla" is now available, with the Leather & Brass EP set for release on September 12 through One Little Independent Records.
Parallel to this, she draws from a dedicated lyric journal app, where she collects spontaneous lines inspired by daily experiences, conversations, or reflections. By matching lyrical ideas with her vocal melodies, Sijya defines the song’s thematic direction.
The final phase of her process is the most demanding: polishing the full track. This involves balancing refinement with preserving the original energy, a task she finds challenging and time-consuming. She often reserves this step for tracks she plans to release, ensuring each song evolves from a rough idea to a polished piece ready for listeners.
Sijya’s new single "Tabla" is now available, with the Leather & Brass EP set for release on September 12 through One Little Independent Records.
I only want to crash
"I had been circling around music for a long time and making album art as a graphic designer, but ‘Young Hate’ was my first attempt of ‘doing’ any music at all," she said. "Now, with this second EP, I feel like I have become a musician. I am now doing this with intention. This EP feels like the beginning of me trying to find a sound.”