Check Out Sejal ($EJ) Kargal’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sejal ($EJ) Kargal

Hi Sejal ($EJ), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with music when my parents encouraged me to play violin at the age of six. As the only musical person in my family and rarely having seen any South Indian-American representation in the music industry, I never thought pursuing a career in music was realistic.

Despite these doubts, I learned Carnatic vocal technique with a guru in India during my childhood which was a way I could get in touch with and express my culture. Throughout high school and college, I participated in various symphony groups and even performed with the San Francisco Civic Symphony post-grad. However, my true passion was singing and song-writing.

During the pandemic in 2020, I taught myself basic music production and decided it was time to share my music with the world. I wanted to be the change I never saw growing up. Publicly sharing my art was empowering, and soon I began performing live with a band in San Francisco and Los Angeles with collectives like Breaking Sound and Major Stage which support independent artists. My journey has been a mix of self-discovery, community, and breaking barriers, all fueled by my love for music.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Competing in the music industry is tough, especially when algorithms and industry biases often favor established names and considering the wild west of today’s social media in the mix. Creating fusion music that blends South Asian elements with various genres is a unique challenge. My background as a Carnatic-trained singer adds a distinct element to my music, but it’s also difficult to gain recognition and be seen. Balancing my music career with other responsibilities and constantly facing these barriers has been hard as an independent first-generation artist doing everything on my own. However, my passion for creating and sharing my art keeps me going, and I’m determined to break through and make a difference – every day is a new learning experience and I am grateful I get to share my genuine art with the world.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in blending my South Asian culture with various music genres, creating a unique sound. My work spans indie rock, pop, R&B, experimental, and hyperpop, and I incorporate South Asian musical elements into my songs. What sets me apart is this fusion of cultural influences with diverse genres, allowing me to create something truly unique and authentic which is representative of my identity and experiences as a first-generation Indian-American. I’m most proud of how far I’ve come on my own, building a community around my music and sharing my genuine self through this journey. My songs feature themes centered around identity, growing pains, and mental health topics.

What are your plans for the future?
Currently, I’m working on an album that will feature more upbeat experimental fusion tracks. I will be releasing the first ever Hindi fusion hyperpop song globally on June 21th. I’m looking forward to performing more later this year and sharing more South Asian fusion music with the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://spotify.link/ZD4Mc3gzYDb
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sejalkargal
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCpNjsbE7dJiBWPGljDh_qXA?si=ZEP6Y8SCg0u8ffmO
• Other: https://linktr.ee/sejalkargal

Image Credits
Victoria Kurkina