Photo by Jason Campbell

Shonali's musical roots developed in Nashville, Tennessee. She began making music on an 8-track recorder with her childhood best friend Michelle Dubois and soon, under the name Ultrababyfat, they became indie rock darlings, opening up for acts like Pavement and PJ Harvey while she was in law school. With nine full length albums under her belt, including three by her current band, Tigers and Monkeys, as well as her 2011 full-length solo-debut 100 Oaks Revival, Shonali is over the moon about sharing her highly anticipated upcoming second solo release, One Machine At A Time with the world.

On it, she touts her clever song-crafting skills and evocative lyrics, culminating in a genre-bending record that feels ubiquitous, yet unique to her own experience as an Indian woman from Tennessee. Each track on One Machine At A Time unfolds new breadth and depth, exploring different genres and eras of music, yet when taken together, cohesively carry the listener into her universe and through a carefully curated and well-rounded album.

The strength and bravery of her artistic drive is rooted in the steadfast support of her mother and father - professors who immigrated to the United States from India and constantly encouraged her musical career. The impact and emotion embedded within Shonali's music is, in part, thanks to their influence. Her voice grabs your heart and pulls, and her lyrics evoke memories but simultaneously remain present and grounded.

One Machine At A Time honors Shonali’s father, Dr. Dilip Kumar Bhowmik, who recently passed away after a life of kindness, humor and academic achievement. The album’s cover art, a photo of a young Shonali taken by her father, demonstrates their lasting connection. She dedicates the song “Firefly” to him, asking “what do you tell yourself to light the sky when no one sees you?” The spark within her father continues to fuel Shonali’s artistic life. Now she says “Farewell, sweet one” and shows how, in the face of loss, how her delicate spark shines on.