Simran Sultana is done playing it safe.
Simran Sultana is tired of pretending everything’s fine.
Not that her music ever sounded defeated, far from it.
But somewhere beneath the glossy production and those irresistible dancefloor hooks, there’s been a conversation she’s been avoiding having with herself.
Her new single ‘HOT, FEMME WITH LOTS OF $$$’ might sound like pure celebration, and it is, but it’s also the sound of an artist finally letting herself feel the full weight of what she’s been through.
The track is a glorious mess of influences, amapiano rhythmn rubbing shoulders with Latin grooves, Arabian melodies curling around early 2000s R&B, all held together by a rolling electronic pulse.
It’s playful, it’s sexy, and it’s unapologetically hers.
Co produced with Jess Heeney, the single signals the start of a much bigger creative chapter.
Sultana got real with us about the heartbreak she’s been dancing around, the friends who keep her sane and why her 20s have been messier and more beautiful than she ever expected.
HAPPY: What’d you get up to today?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I had a session this morning, toplining for another diva’s release.
It was the first time sessioning together and of course it turned into a therapy session which I love.
I came back home and hung out with my cat, poor thing just had a surgery but he’s doing so well. Me and my partner ended the night by ordering in Oporto (my favourite) and watching a horror film.
HAPPY: Tell us a little about where you’re from, and what you love about it!
SIMRAN SULTANA: I’m from Sydney, and grew up in Sans Souci. I absolutely love this area, my friends are walking distance from my parents place now, which was a godsend during covid times.
I was having my socially distanced coffee and going on walks with them along the beach. I also love that the area is multicultural and buzzing in the night. Full of families and friends catching up and drinking coffee at 10pm at night.
I am a hardcore coffee enthusiast, so I can appreciate one at all times of the day. It feels like home and a hub, everyone is familiar with eachother and community feels alive.
HAPPY: Your production blends Arabian melodies with R&B, Latin, and Pop influences. How did your cultural background shape your sonic identity?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I don’t think it was a conscious action. I’ve always been compelled by strong vocals; Beyoncé was a huge inspiration for me in her vocal practise.
When I tie that into my upbringing with watching a lot of Bollywood films and the South East Asian/Arabic scales and production, the sound speaks for itself. My production and writing practise is just taking all the things I love from all the genres and making something that I love.
From strong melodic riffs from the Dhoom Soundtrack (iykyk), to heavy rock guitar solos, latin grooves, and the Classic Euro Summer electronic dance energy, my music is like a little makeup compact I take around with me, filled with my favourite sounds.
HAPPY: You’ve drawn inspiration from artists like Raye, Amaarae, and FLO, what specifically about their artistry resonates with you?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I love how their music feels, and how their sound is hard to define but so easy to identify. I am a sucker old school R&B/Soul but it’s exciting for me to see artists redefine and re-imagine it within different sonic worlds.
Raye’s lyricism for me is also an inspiration, I think it speaks for itself and I love how each define unique experiences of womanhood in our world today.
HAPPY: Your work explores friendship, romance, and self-worth in your 20s. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing this project?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I think I realised some of the things I’ve been through had been actually super heartbreaking. Theres bees a lot of crying and writing which I found cathartic.
It also reminded me on how amazing my friends are, the more stories I hear about other peoples friendships seem crazy to me.
Friends being jealous, putting eachother down not being included, entitlement, etc. I thankfully cannot relate.
Even with a friendship breakup I’ve had, like any relationship it’s been really heartwarming to realise that my true friends set the standard so high that I can easily walk away from disrespect and mistreatment.
Starting my first long-term relationship was also an eye-opener. I always knew who I was, but not as someone in a relationship.
I thought it would have to change, but I’ve learnt that when you’re with the right person, they’re with you for who you are, just as you are. The music to come really explores the really deep stuff that lies underneath the appreciation and gratefulness.
I’ve always tried to remain positive and determined for better, but that comes from a place in where I was cared for at all, the times where I was mistreated, disrespected in really bad head spaces, difficult childhoods and disconnection with family members.
I think I’m learning (still) to give pain space to be perceived, explored and actually dealt with, rather than just trying to productive with it.
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HAPPY: This is your first release since your debut single from this new chapter. How does this track set the tone for what’s coming next?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I think it’s my sound in a more definitive form, especially within genre. I love blending and blending until I can’t define any of my tracks in one particular box, ironically, I feel like that puts me in my own”box”.
I believe I am also playing a lot more, I’m more confident in my own production and it’s taking me to new sonic worlds. I have songs that start as low-fi DnB and end up in techhouse. It’s been really fun.
HAPPY: You co-produced this track with Jess Heeney. How did that collaboration shape the final sound?
SIMRAN SULTANA: Jess Heeney really did all the work on this. We work so well together and I think we have very similar tastes. I think Jess really likes my production takes (you’d have to ask her), even when I asked to make the beat in the last chorus an EDM bop!
We are both maximalists and love trying different things, so production ideas flow quite easily and it’s quite fun being creative together.
Her mind is also unstoppable; I love watching her work; her melodies and ideas are dazzling.
HAPPY: What’s one thing about your artistry that you feel people stil haven’t fully discovered yet?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I believe I’m yet to be vulnerable in music, but I do think that’s going to change quite soon. Music has always been a vice during hard times, and instead of sulking in it, I found myself writing positive messages instead, but I think that’s also hindered by expression.
Funny enough even in my therapy sessions, I can be given a lot of praise for keeping a positive outlook while overcoming a pretty difficult upbringing, but I have been called out on not recognising or acknowledging my pain.
I’m working on a body of work which will encompass that growth, that will hopefully be reaching your ears next year. But in true Sim fashion I’ve been crying writing the lyrics but the production will hopefully still make you dance.
HAPPY: If you could have listeners take away just one feeling after hearing this single, what would it be?
SIMRAN SULTANA: I’d want people to feel assertive and in charge of their own power. Maybe have a little giggle. This song isn’t too serious, it’s about having fun.
I envisioned being on a dancefloor, feeling yourself and just letting go. Feeling good about yourself, entirely on your own terms. Being in charge of your sexual energy, and not compromising on whatever your heart desires.
I also want to preface by saying that I like boys, but I love women, and it’s really a song for the girls, the queers and femme people to bop to.
HAPPY: Lastly, what makes you happy?
SIMRAN SULTANA: Overall, my friends. Your chosen family. I have so much love and respect for them, they hold my mirror and my crown up, and every day I feel so grateful and lucky to have such strong-minded, beautiful souls by my side.
The world can be a scary place some times, with social media as well, it can be quite confrontational, but it’s a peaceful thought knowing that the people you surround yourself with is a direct antidote to the harm and danger that’s still prevalent in our world. Be kind, inclusive, share positivity and build community.
It’s not a lot, but it can make a difference in many small amounts.
