Reimaging folk with Satnam Galsian
Our current artistic programme, The Stories We Tell, celebrates how the work we share can help interpret the most personal of experiences to empower, inform and uplift. As part of the season, Leeds-based singer-songwriter and progressive folk artist Satnam Galsian brings her show Folk Reimagined to City Varieties on Thu 26 June. We spoke to her about breaking boundaries and amplifying unheard voices through her work by reimagining the vibrant narratives of her heritage and redefining what it means to carry forward Punjabi folk music.
Written by Satnam Galsian
Satnam Galsian
Please tell us about yourself and your work.
I am a British-Asian progressive folk singer based in Leeds. A lot of my work focuses of women’s stories and women’s voices. I perform as a solo artist and with my band Kinaara. I also deliver singing and mental health workshops for various organisations. As well as being a freelance artist, I work three days a week as Youth Progression Coordinator for Launchpad/Music Local. I deliver talks in schools about careers in the music industry and create performance opportunities for artists under the age of 25.
How did you become a singer-songwriter?
I have been singing for most of my life. My grandma started teaching me shabads (Sikh hymns) at an early age and then sent me to learn from a teacher. Through shabads I began learning a bit about North Indian ragas, and after high school I went to Leeds College of Music to study North Indian Classical Music. After college I did my degree in North Indian Classical Music at Birmingham Conservatoire.
I only began writing songs a few years ago when we decided that we needed to add original music to the Kinaara repertoire. Writing songs pushed me out of my comfort zone and it’s a skill that I’m still developing.
Satnam Galsian. Credit Libby Greenwood.
Life in Leeds
What can you tell us about the music scene in Leeds?
I love the music scene in Leeds. There’s always so much going on and there’s a lot of variety in terms of genres. My last Leeds performance was at Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen when I supported Ganavya. I have played at Howard Assembly Room, Hyde Park Folk Club, Seven Arts, Headingley Heart, Vinyl Whistle, Wharf Chambers, Northlight and other venues around Leeds, either as a solo artist, with Kinaara or with other artists.
You had a residency with Opera North (our resident opera company). What did this involve?
In 2024 I was a recipient of an Opera North Resonance Residency. Resonance is a programme for artists from the global majority where you receive funding, support and a week at the Howard Opera Centre to create new music. My project was a feminist reimagining of the story of Mirza-Sahiban, a tragic love story from the Indian Subcontinent. I worked with poet Hafsah Aneela Bashir before the residency who brought my vision for the story to life through words. During the week-long residency I worked with John Hogg to compose music for the words. We were then joined by Luke Reddin-Williams who added percussion. The result was a piece called Sahiban which was recorded and released last year.
The first public performance of Sahiban was at Howard Assembly Room last year for the Resonance Showcase and I’m happy to say that the second public performance will be at City Varieties for Folk Reimagined. I will be joined by John Hogg on guitar and Simon Henry on drums.
Folk Reimagined
Your work explores heritage and identity, and challenges traditional roles. Can you tell us more about this and about your experience as a South Asian woman in the music industry?
I sing a lot of Punjabi songs, particularly traditional bridal songs. They are written from a patriarchal point of view in that a daughter goes from her father’s home to her husband’s home and there doesn’t seem to be any agency on her part. I enjoy singing these songs and sharing part of my Punjabi heritage with audiences but I am also aware that they don’t reflect my own beliefs when it comes to the roles and expectations of women.
When I write songs I often respond to the patriarchal themes in traditional works. My words are thought-provoking and empowering for women. A lot of my writing and thinking about these topics comes from my own personal experiences as well. I was in a controlling and coercive marriage during which time I did not have my own voice and was not allowed to make my own choices. I was not allowed to pursue my music career. Having left that situation, I hope that I can help people who have experienced something similar.
In terms of being a South Asian woman in male-dominated industry, I have had to deal with some instances of sexism and discrimination. Growing up there weren’t many South Asian women in music, either locally or in the main stream. There are also religious and cultural barriers to South Asian people pursuing a career in music. I believe representation in music is extremely important. If you can see someone who looks like you doing a job that you’d like to be doing, then that shows that it is possible. I hope that as a performing artist, and someone working with young people, I can inspire the next generation and show that it is possible to have a career in music as someone from the South Asian diaspora, and particularly as a South Asian woman.
Zawedde.
Satnam's band, Kinaara.
What can audiences expect from Folk Reimagined at City Varieties?
The audience can expect an evening of music and conversation. Zawedde will be opening the evening with their music which is inspired by a combination of Americana folk music, Celtic Folk and soul music. In terms of songwriting, their themes have focused on bereavement, economic and racial social prejudice. While celebrating their heritage they also cover themes of personal growth and seeking. When solo, Zawedde performs with just a guitar where they are able to curate the journey of storytelling.
I met Zawedde when we both performed at a Sofar Leeds International Women’s Day event last year and I loved their sound. I’m looking forward to seeing them perform live again.
Following Zawedde, I will sing some solo songs and will then be joined by John and Simon for Sahiban. After the interval, there will be a post show discussion between Zawedde and I, and a Q&A where the audience can ask questions.
Quickfire Questions
Have you seen anything at our venues?
I am hoping to go and see the Northern Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Leeds Grand Theatre at the end of the year.
Favourite places in Leeds?
Leeds Art Gallery, Hyde Park Book Club, Canal Gardens, Corn Exchange, Left Bank, Kirkstall Abbey, Howard Assembly Room and Waterstones.
Best place to eat in Leeds?
I really like Umee Sushi and Mythos, both in Chapel Allerton.
Favourite things to do in your spare time?
Catching up with my friends over a chai latte, reading and watching K-dramas.
Favourite musicians?
There are probably too many to mention. The Breath, Frankie Archer, Hozier, Agnes Obel and many folk bands/artists from the 60s and 70s are among my favourites. Locally, I have a lot of friends on the music scene who I think are amazing and they are all my favourites too: Maddie Morris, Lilian, CJ Kite, Zawedde (obviously), Lonan, Here’s The Steeple, Hevelwood, Her Orange Coat….the list goes on! Sorry to everyone I haven’t mentioned – I couldn’t remember everyone off the top of my head!
Satnam Galsian. Credit Libby Greenwood.
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