Rising Stars: Meet Rïa Mehta of Brooklyn, NY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rïa Mehta.

Hi Rïa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up across Sri Lanka, India, London, and Dubai, my connection to music was shaped early by a blend of cultures, sounds, and experiences. That global perspective naturally evolved into a passion for electronic music, where I began experimenting behind the decks and developing a sound that felt both personal and reflective of my roots.

Over time, what started as playlist curation turned into a deeper commitment to the craft. I honed my style—melodic techno with elements of ethnic and deep house—and began playing in underground scenes across cities like Brooklyn, Berlin and Goa. Those early sets helped me refine not just my sound, but my ability to connect with audiences and tell a story through music.

As my sound evolved, so did my opportunities. I began performing on larger stages, from The Brooklyn Mirage to international festivals like ADE, Elements, and Beats4Love, sharing lineups with artists I had long admired. In parallel, I focused on production, with tracks like Sacré – Sunrise Mix reaching #1 on Beatport and gaining support from artists such as BLOND:ISH, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Gorgon City. Subsequent releases and my debut album Metamorphosis further defined my sound and expanded my reach within the electronic music community, garnering support from heavy hitters like Benny Benassi.

Right now, I’m building on that momentum with a series of remixes from Metamorphosis dropping in the coming weeks, which reimagine the album through different lenses and collaborators. It’s the next step in evolving the project and continuing to push my sound forward.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s been a big part of shaping who I am as an artist. I started without any real contacts in the industry – no agent, no manager – so from the beginning I’ve been doing everything on my own, from bookings to production to building relationships. It wasn’t always easy, especially navigating a space that can feel very network-driven.

At the same time, I made a conscious decision early on not to change my sound just to fit trends. That probably meant slower growth at times, but it also helped me build something that feels authentic. Every step has been very intentional.

Looking back, those challenges were actually important. They forced me to be resourceful, to really understand every part of the process, and to stay grounded in my identity as an artist. Now, as things grow, I feel like I have a much stronger foundation because of it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a DJ and producer, and my sound sits at the intersection of melodic techno and ethnic deep house. It’s very much shaped by my background – growing up across different cultures – and I try to bring that into everything I create, whether it’s through rhythm, or the overall emotion of a set.

I’d say I’m known for creating a more immersive, energetic melodic journey rather than just playing tracks. Whether I’m performing live or producing, it’s always about storytelling and connection – something that feels both introspective and energetic at the same time.

What I’m most proud of is building this project independently. I started without industry connections, without a team, and learned every part of the process myself. Releasing music that’s resonated globally – like *Sacré – Sunrise Mix* hitting #1 on Beatport – and putting out my debut album *Metamorphosis* were big milestones, especially because they stayed true to my sound.

What sets me apart is that I’ve never tried to fit into a trend. My sound has evolved, but it’s always been grounded in my influences and identity. That’s allowed me to build something that feels authentic, and I think audiences can feel that when they experience my music.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was definitely a bit of a jack of all trades growing up. I’ve always been very independent and a little rebellious in the sense that I liked figuring things out my own way rather than following a set path. I was constantly exploring different creative outlets – everything from photography to film school to hair and makeup – anything that allowed me to express myself and try something new.

I’ve also always been deeply drawn to travel. I’ve been fortunate to visit over 70 countries across all seven continents, and that sense of exploration has been a huge part of who I am. Experiencing different cultures, sounds, and perspectives has shaped both my worldview and my creativity in a big way. My goal is to see more than half the world in my lifetime, and I’m definitely not slowing down anytime soon.

Looking back, that curiosity – whether through creative pursuits or travel – is what’s always driven me. And ultimately, it’s what led me to music, which felt like the most natural way to bring all of those influences together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riamehta.komi.io
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/riamehta
• Other: all links above on my komi.io page!