Multi-disciplinary artist and activist, Kiss Nuka from Mumbai, India releases her latest single Fight in collaboration with Lebanon-based humanitarian organisation The Great Oven and UK-based music tech platform SongBits.
Fightis an emotive singer-songwriter piece written by Kiss Nuka over a decade ago to help her cope with the repercussions of her growing awareness of the injustices she observed in the world. The song she primarily wrote to herself to help find her own voice, hopes to inspire the listener to find their own, and to fight for their beliefs.
Keeping the focus on her voice and lyrics, Kiss Nuka produces and composes a track that features keys by her long-time friend, musician and producer Utkarsh Dhotekar, a sparse bassline by Abhinav Bora, and has been mixed and mastered by her brother Shikhar Yuvraj Manchanda at his studios 'The Beast India Company'.
In the past, Kiss Nuka has experimented with new music based technology by collaborating with media giant Dolby. Continuing in that direction, Kiss Nuka is offering fans and collectors shares or 'bits' of Fight, via SongBits, a music tech platform launched by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Russell Sheffield (Trident Studios). Buyers will receive a share of Fight's revenue every time it is streamed. Bits can be held, gifted or sold at a later date. The royalties earned will be shared between the fans who purchase the Bits, Kiss Nuka, and The Great Oven. Kiss Nuka also was part of the SongBits delegation at SXSW in Austin, Texas earlier this month for the promotions of Fight.
The Great Oven is an international organization that builds giant, beautifully decorated ovens and sends them to places in need – from refugee camps and war-torn communities to countries in crisis. Currently based in Lebanon and expanding to Colombia in 2023, they believe in the power of food, art and music to nourish, inspireand transform lives.
Kiss Nuka met James Thompson, the founder of The Great Oven when she was invited to showcase her works at their fundraising festival called The Banquet in August last year, at The Konvent de Cal Rosal (a late 19th-century nun’s convent and textile colony that was converted into a contemporary art centre) in the Catalonia mountains, outside of Barcelona. This was also where she met Russel Sheffield and learned about SongBits.
Moved by the work of the NGO, she offered Fight to raise awareness and funds for The Great Oven. Collaborating with the artists in residence at The Konvent, she created a visual piece to promote the cause. Directed and shot by London-based Cinematographer Pep Bosch, the project was planned and shot within a week.
The cover image for the artwork has been shot by French photographer Aruallan on the set of Fight. Aruallan (Laura) was one of the artists showcasing her work at The Banquet.
Speaking on the new single and the association with SongBits and The Great Oven, KissNuka says, “I understand now why I never found the right time to release Fight in all these years. It was meant for this moment. I am inspired by the work of The Great Oven, and Songbits has helped me contribute towards the cause by ensuring I have full control of my song and am able to share and connect with my listeners in a way that I never have before."