A Chat with Subway Bhaktis (25.06.24)
A couple of weeks ago, the Australia-based artist Subway Bhaktis made their way to our ears and honestly, I am so pleased. With the single ‘A Cup Of Tea‘, singer-songwriter Rachel Zinman brought us a beautifully wrapped sonic mixture of youthful innocence and sophisticated maturity. Today, we speak with Zinman about Subway Bhaktis’ single ‘A Cup Of Tea’, what music means to her, upcoming plans and mythological roommates.
OSR: What made you decide to pursue a career in music? Is it something you have always been interested in?
Zinman: I grew up with a father who was a symphony conductor, so I was surrounded by music and learned instruments as a child, but my passion was dance. I never considered myself a musician. But then I fell in love with a musician, and we started writing songs together. Eventually, I learned how to play the guitar, and that was it. I couldn’t stop writing my own songs.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Zinman: Music for me is very visual. I see it as a dance. It’s also very heart-based. I hear music, and I get totally immersed; there are no words. It’s all feeling.
OSR: You recently released your single ‘A Cup of Tea’. You mention that this song is rather special and personal for you. Could you explain why and what led up to ‘A Cup of Tea’?
Zinman: When I wrote ‘A Cup of Tea’, it was at the end of my marriage. My husband and band partner had left me. We had just produced our final album, Rasa Lila. I literally left for India with the freshly pressed CDs in my suitcase. While there, I met someone. I knew I’d fallen for him, but I was still recovering from the breakup. I felt those tender feelings of promise and at the same time had a lot to process. The theme of the song was: I think I love you, maybe you love me… but let’s take it slow and have a cup of tea instead.
OSR: You collaborated with instrumentalist Jacob Zinman-Jeanes on this, and I see he’s your son. Firstly, what are the pros and cons of collaborations, and secondly, what was it like working with your son?
Zinman: I think collaborating is tricky because you want to respect the other person’s ideas but stay true to your own vision. The pros are two people can bring more creativity to the table, especially when they know each other well.
I’ve always admired my son’s creative musical abilities. When I was pregnant with him, I wrote a piano piece, and sometimes I hear the echoes of that piece in the style and tone of his music. I never expected we would collaborate on the song. But there were hiccups in the production. I sent the basic guitar and vocals to him on a whim and asked, “What would you do with this piece?” He sent some sketches, and I absolutely loved them.
OSR: I read that you have Type 1 Diabetes. How has that affected your life and your music?
Zinman: It’s amazing how much music calms the nervous system. When I sing, my blood sugar reduces. I think it has a lot to do with the vagus nerve and how vagal tone increases through singing. On a purely felt level, when I make music, I get some respite from the condition.
OSR: Also, how do you deal with challenges that you face with Type 1 Diabetes?
Zinman: Living with Type 1 is a total balancing act. You have to think like a pancreas. Who knows how to do that? Not even doctors know. Too much insulin isn’t good, and too little insulin isn’t good either, so for me, having a yoga practice, a balanced whole-food diet, a supportive partner, and creative outlets like music and writing help me manage.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
OSR: Performing live can be a transformative experience. What are your experiences of performing live, and have they impacted your life and music at all?
Zinman: The medium for my live performances has always been in yoga studios, singing in community, working with Sanskrit chants and devotional songs set to modern tunes. When you perform like that, with everyone singing along, it takes the pressure off. I feel freer to be myself and just enjoy the collective experience.
OSR: You have a great interest in yoga. What is one mantra you live your life by?
Zinman: My whole life has been devoted to the practice and understanding of the meaning of yoga. Yoga isn’t just a form of exercise; the word yoga means oneness, wholeness. Yoga is the nature of every human being. We are that oneness, wholeness. I try to remember that when I get caught up. Perfection, happiness isn’t a goal to be reached; it is the nature of one’s true self. That sustains me always.
OSR: Which mythological creature would be the worst roommate?
Zinman: A dragon!!!! Lots of singed clothes.
OSR: What is the cheesiest pick-up line you have ever heard or used?
Zinman: OMG, I’ve never ever been picked up or been fed a line… I’m usually the one picking someone up, haha.
OSR: What advice do you have for up-and-coming musicians?
Zinman: No matter what, make music, follow your intuition, be creative, find amazing people to work with, and don’t let anything stop you from sharing your voice.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future?
Zinman: I have four more songs I’d love to bring to life for an EP. They’re all in the same vein as ‘A Cup of Tea’ and have held great meaning for me over the last 13 years. Hopefully, with the success of this current release, I can bring these other heart songs to the world.
Many thanks to Rachel Zinman for speaking with us. For more from Subway Bhaktis, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
