We recently connected with Rashmi Singh and have shared our conversation below.
Rashmi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As the recipient of the Queens Council on the Arts New Works and Puffin Foundation Grant, I had the opportunity to interview, write, and perform songs about three local heroines and their unique journeys to call Woodside, New York City, their home.
The Queens of Queens, Women of Woodside project was a huge success, bringing the community together to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of these incredible women. We created a performance space in collaboration with the Director of the local, nationally landmarked Moore-Jackson Community Garden, which now hosts regular performances in music, theater, dance, and poetry. This increased visibility and community involvement in the garden was an unexpected yet rewarding result of the project.
One of the highlights of the performance was how a local restauranteur, who had been struggling to draw customers, offered half-price margaritas after the show. His offer filled his restaurant that night, and he became an integral part of our community. It was a beautiful intersection of art, community, commerce, and local leadership.
This experience had a profound impact on me. Before the pandemic, I regularly performed at iconic NYC music venues like Rockwood Music Hall, but Queens of Queens made me rethink how I can create art at a local level, and the power of connecting directly with the community. Beyond the community involvement, the process of bringing an idea to life in collaboration with others was deeply empowering.
In addition to this, I’m a Queens and New York Public Library Featured Musician. Storytelling and performing at the library has been a rewarding experience, as the audiences are diverse and I love interacting with them. I take great pride in being a local artist in a global city. I’m also a member of the Astoria Music Collective, a group of supportive artists who regularly perform and partner with local venues to create paid performance opportunities. During the pandemic, the collective hosted socially-distanced outdoor performances, and I contributed songs to the social justice movements in the past few years, one of which was featured on NY1.
As a volunteer Garden Steward at Moore-Jackson Community Garden, I’ve filmed videos, conducted interviews, and contributed to social media efforts to raise awareness about the garden. It’s a wonderful example of how I’ve used my art to serve and elevate the community.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m a New York City-based multi-hyphenate content creator and performer, working across a variety of genres and mediums—film, song, theater, and poetry. As the child of immigrants living in a global city, my work centers around storytelling that bridges worlds and cultures. I explore the connections between languages, music, people, and places, weaving narratives that show how universal our human experiences truly are.
I believe in creating work that reflects both the pain and joy of life, highlighting our shared humanity. My creative process is about breaking down boundaries and celebrating the beauty of what makes us alike, rather than different. Above all, I aim to have fun with my work, creating something that resonates emotionally and connects people in meaningful ways.
My goal is to continue working across different mediums and to expand the reach of my artistic creations. I want audiences to feel empowered, connected, and transformed after experiencing my work, to feel joy and a deeper sense of grounding. Through my art, I strive to bring together the kaleidoscope of global experiences into a single lens, emphasizing the magnificence of our shared humanity.
www.EverythingRashmi.com
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the narrative that many artists, particularly in the history of art, tell themselves: that to be truly successful, you need to live a tragic life—struggling, poor, misunderstood, and often only recognized after you’re gone. Being surrounded by other artists, I started to internalize this story. It felt like the only path to recognition and success was through pain and hardship.
But I had to unlearn that mindset because it doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t believe art has to be tied to suffering or martyrdom. Everyone struggles in life, not just artists. The larger culture often glorifies pain and struggle, but I want to be free of that. I want to create from a place of joy and confidence, not from a sense of scarcity or martyrdom.
Now, I focus on feeling good about my work, celebrating the process, and understanding that I can be successful without the narrative of tragedy. That shift has been liberating, and it’s allowed me to embrace a healthier and more positive relationship with my art.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building an audience on social media really comes down to finding what works for you. There’s a lot of pressure to follow trends and post constantly, but in the end, it’s about balancing your time, your mental health, and staying present in your real life. My advice is to stay authentic—share from a place of truth, not just because something is trending. Post what you love, what excites you, and what you care about. When you do that, your audience will feel your passion, and the connection will come naturally.
For example, my Facebook following, which is my largest platform, was built over many years and grew organically. I didn’t rush it, and it grew alongside my personal journey. I’m completely new to TikTok, so I’m in the same boat as many people reading this, experimenting with what works. The key is to try different things and see what resonates with your audience, but always follow the advice I’ve shared above: stay true to yourself.
It’s important to remember that you don’t need to post all the time. 2-3 times a week, or even less, is totally fine. Don’t get caught up in the pressure to go viral. Focus on what brings you joy and resonates with you, and it’ll help you stay grounded. Prioritize your mental health, take breaks when needed, and remember to have fun with it.
In the end, it’s about following your own rhythm—don’t chase trends or numbers. The real connection comes when you’re being authentic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.EverythingRashmi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingrashmi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everythingrashmi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everythingrashmi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/everythingrashmi
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/everythingrashmi
- Other: Exciting news! My new song SUN drops on January 10th and will be available on all major streaming platforms. It’s the perfect track to start the new year—a reminder that, no matter what, the sun always rises. Get ready to shine with me!
All music platforms: https://linktr.ee/everythingrashmi
Image Credits
Photos by Jebbel Arce and Leonardo Mascaro