As the new year begins and artists everywhere reset their goals, Sriyam is stepping into her next chapter with clarity, confidence, and momentum. At just 19 years old, the Austin, Texas–based singer-songwriter represents a new wave of pop artists who prioritize emotional honesty and intentional growth over shortcuts. Rooted in storytelling and driven by community, Sriyam’s journey reflects a rare balance of patience and ambition. In this interview, she opens up about her creative beginnings, the lessons learned from early industry attention, and why building something meaningful matters more to her than rushing the process.
What is your stage name?
“Sriyam”
“Like “tree-yum” but with an S.”
Where are you from?
“Austin, Texas!”
What made you want to pursue a career in music?
“My dad was a journalist when we lived in Nepal, and when we moved to America he preserved that habit of writing in me by asking me to write a new story just about every single day. Eventually those stories turned into poems, and those poems turned themselves into songs. I realized how much I loved creating a physical tangible piece from something as intangible as a feeling. I kept writing songs and posting them online, with lots of big dreams, and I ended up getting a little bit of attention on TikTok for it this past summer. This only propelled my love for music and drive to be a name in the industry further, because I was connected with professionals who do what I want to do—create entirely new worlds with their bare hands through the art of songwriting, musicianship, production, etc.”
Can you share some highlights of your music career so far?
“The most critical point of my music career so far was definitely the bit of attention I gained on TikTok through the song ‘Humbling.’ I never considered myself to be a musician or real artist before then, but that song showed me that I might possess something that people care about. I was flown out to Los Angeles to go record in a nice studio by a record label, and I took my parents with me. I didn’t end up signing any contracts, but that whole process of blowing up and the experiences that came with it were so incredibly eye-opening.”
How would you describe your style and sound as an artist?
“Like you’re reading a diary, or you’re in my own head with me. The sound I’m trying to create lingers between raw, honest, and genuine—and anthemic rock-style songs. The seriousness of the songwriting varies, but it still remains intimate. I want my songs to sound like you’re sitting on my bedroom floor with me, watching me go through every single emotion that led up to writing the song.”
In what ways do you believe your music resonates with your audience?
“I think my music is very raw, honest, and intimate, but in a style where there’s a lot packed into one little verse. I love tight songwriting. I think there’s so much you can pack into a sentence, and it’s deeply fun to be intentional about the specific words used to fully convey my message.”
How do you approach collaboration with other musicians or producers?
“I love collaborating with my bandmates. We all understand the music at a deep level, and all I have to do is take one verse of a song to them and we can sit and write the entire song or play a full arrangement exactly how I envisioned it—first try after hearing it. I love collaborating with people who are on the same or similar wavelengths. We just feed off each other, and the music becomes better.”
Can you share any experiences working with a team in the past, or are you truly independent?
“I am truly independent. I considered signing record deals in the past—after the rise of ‘Humbling’ it was hard to say no to major label Zoom invites in my emails—but realizing that this wasn’t my time to sign any contracts yet was really helpful. I wanted to build an actual community and sound first, and then even better opportunities should come forward.”
Have you had any significant achievements or moments you’re particularly proud of?
“I’m incredibly proud of some of the live venues I’ve played this year. I love playing live stages and only want to do more. I played an opening set at Mohawk in Austin, Texas, with my band—which is a pretty cool venue—and I also played a very small backyard benefit show, which might not have been my biggest, but it was really meaningful.”
What motivates you to continue pushing yourself as an artist?
“Focusing on working hard and keeping my eyes not necessarily on the prize, but on the path to the prize, has been such a sustainable way of motivation for me—because there is always a path.”
Have you faced any challenges in your career, and how did you overcome them?
“The dilemma of signing versus not signing a record deal was a difficult decision to handle, especially early in my career. I’ve also dealt with a lot of comparison, but realizing that it’s more important to be confident in your work and believe in yourself has helped me so much.”
How do you engage with your fan base on social media, and what role does it play in your strategy?
“My fan base is the most important part of my career as a musician. They showed me that I have something for the world, and I’m forever indebted to that. I love interacting with them in my comments and through livestreams. I also like to post different types of songs to see what they like and iterate my content based on that. It’s helped me grow a lot.”
What is the next single you plan to release?
“I’m planning on releasing a song called ‘Chapstick’ on Valentine’s Day.”
Links
🎵 Music:
https://ffm.bio/r8d1mvj?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio
📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sriyammusic?igsh=OThsdHZiaDJmZmZi
