Shivali Bhammer talks Music, ‘Queen of Wands’ & Songwriting

British-Asian artist Shivali Bhammer is redefining her musical journey with Queen of Wands (2025), a bold and deeply personal album.

Known for her devotional music, she now explores heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery through urban beats, spoken word, and R&B influences.

Inspired by a transformative moment in New York, the album takes listeners on an emotional and spiritual journey.

In this exclusive interview, Shivali shares the creative process behind Queen of Wands, her artistic evolution, and what this album means for her career.

She discusses identity, feminine power, and the emotions that shaped her music.

Can you tell us about Queen of Wands and what inspired you to create this album? 

Queen of Wands is about me – I would say it is the most honest artistic work I have ever created because it is raw and authentic.

It is about the journey of the self – an individual who navigates through loss, love, self-doubt, self-sabotage, social conditioning, spirituality and the myriad of emotions that this brings up in poetic form.

I am not sure what inspired me – there wasn’t a moment where I even thought this album was going to exist.

I just began writing one song after another, and, like threading a flower on a piece of string, I found myself with a garland which reflected my deepest feelings.

Someone sent me a message that the album reminded them of the work of Amy Winehouse which is too kind and generous a compliment.

But I think that it is likely a good comparison in terms of raw unapologetic opinionated feelings but in this slow rap form.

However, Queen of Wands is for everyone. It isn’t a ‘heartbreak’ album – it is a ‘heart full’ album.

It isn’t just for women – men find themselves in tracks like The Blind Man, Commodity and even the title track.

There is something there for everyone which I think is the point of art as we are never alone in what we feel.

We share all our experiences. We think we are separate but that is an illusion, and Queen of Wands is meant to remind a listener, that they are not alone – we are in it together. 

What themes do the songs in the album convey, and why was it important to tell these stories? 

Each song has a slightly different theme, but I think the album points to a fractured and broken society that both on the individual level and the community level has lost its way.

Our love is transactional, and our communication I feel is selfish – we are lonelier than ever and mental health or the lack of it is on the rise. 

It sounds rather depressing, but it isn’t. I think the album is uplifting because in every line that reflects the brokenness of our being –  we also feel the light.

It is an album of faith, but in ourselves or consciousness, and faith in one another.

It is also about moving from a state of insecure and trauma-bonded love to unconditional love.

It is about finding yourself and holding yourself accountable, and as cliché as it sounds, being the change you wish to see in the world.

It is a self-portrait album, and I have tried to shine the light inside versus outside. 

How does Queen of Wands differ from your previous work?

My previous albums are comprised of Hindu devotional songs known as Bhajans and Mantras. Some thousands of years old, others hundreds.

In those albums, I am simply a voice. A devotional voice, but my identity has nothing to do with it.

I am just a vehicle for which people can take a ride to a place of peace and devotional love.

Queen of Wands is slightly defiant – it’s the raw human experience, it is me ‘acting out’, only to then find my place again in this world.

This album pulls everything inside of me onto the table and says: “Look at this mess. Now what do I do?”

I love it for that. It is the work that demands real growth.

What influenced you to explore music as a pathway? 

Nothing. There is no real influence, artistic expression is born out of feeling.

It is born out of a need to make something out of what is inside, so I did that.

It has never been for anyone else. If others can relate, then that is great and I am glad to be of service.

If it didn’t go anywhere, I still would have done it!

I started making Bhajans in a bedroom with my best friend Arjun, the singer who produced all my Bhajan albums.

I have never sought to be known for anything in the arts, whether it is dance, poetry, or music.

I did all of it as a kid and that trend has continued. The difference is now I can share it, and if it works it works, if not the pleasure is in the process. 

What advice would you give young Desi musicians and songwriters? 

Don’t do it for fame, or money – if you are chasing that, then do something else.

Create art out of love and do it without attachment to a particular outcome.

That doesn’t mean you don’t hustle. I hustled a lot, did random gigs that were pretty odd, tried different genres, and applied to absolutely everything.

But I didn’t worry too much if anything was going to work out. I maintained an attitude of light-heartedness.

Doors will open and when they do don’t ever feel like you don’t deserve it, own it with grace.

What do you hope new listeners will take away from Queen of Wands? 

I hope they will find themselves, even in just one line, and feel at home knowing they are not alone. 

Shivali Bhammer is an artist of substance, depth, and melody.

Queen of Wands is a vivid exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery.

By reflecting on her artistic journey and embracing raw emotion in her music, Shivali is cultivating a unique identity and creating a mark on the musical landscape.

Shivali is set to perform Queen of Wands as a one-woman show on May 18, 2025, at the Union Theatre in London.

You can discover more information here.