Meet Indian American Singer/Songwriter Vijeta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vijeta Newble.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My father was an illegal immigrant. He came to this country from India to create a situation that he could see himself raising a family in. My mother joined him later, and I ended up being the very first person in my family born in America. I grew up in a predominantly African-American neighborhood outside of Chicago. In fact, we were the only Indian family in the neighborhood for a while. It was strange growing up that way. The only other Indians in my school district were my three younger siblings. We grew up in a traditional Indian household but went to very American schools and it left me feeling so alone for most of my life. I was never Indian enough for the Indians my family knew, or American enough for the people I was in school with. It also didn’t help that I was a tomboy. It made no sense to my mother and sisters who loved makeup, hair and dressing up.

From an early age, I was extremely difficult to box in. I didn’t fit in anywhere, and sometimes I feel like I still don’t.

I grew up really only listening to Indian music. My parents, at the time, thought American music was silly or would corrupt us. As an adult and parent myself, I can only imagine how difficult it was to raise me as a traditional Indian girl in America. Middle school was when I first was able to embrace American music, and that’s when things clicked into place for me. I’ve always been a very rhythmic child. I always loved dancing and singing, but the familiarity that came with listening to American songs allowed me to have more freedom than with Indian music.

Thinking back, I was great at school, but I hated it. I always felt like I was wasting time, as in there was something else I was supposed to be learning or working on. I always wanted to sing, and always found a way to do it without upsetting my parents. As life progressed, I was presented with more and more opportunities to develop my love for dance. I remember lying to my parents about tutoring fellow students, but I’d really be at a dance club or something. I didn’t get to take my first actual dance class until I was 17.

I ended up lying all throughout middle school and high school. As a freshmen in college, I got the opportunity to dance in front of Debbie Allen at Northern Illinois University. I told her not to forget me because she’d be seeing me again. I remember her telling me that she could never forget me because she loved my spirit when I danced. No one had ever talked about my love for dance like that. It had always been something I felt I needed to hide. Up until that point, I always felt like I was being bad when I did it. That encounter with Mrs. Allen led to me going to LA for five weeks to train in dance. I was scared. I’d never done anything like that before. I had $101 in my pocket, and I didn’t know a single soul, but I was there. At the end of that five weeks, Mrs. Allen asked me if I wanted to stay and my life changed. I ended up living in LA for 3.5 years on a full scholarship to train at her school, and I trained hard. I was doubling up on advanced Intermediate classes that Mrs. Allen assigned me while also taking the beginner classes. I did all this while working 2-3 jobs.

Within that time, I was approached about joining a girl group. It sparked my interest, and I ended up doing it for real. It wasn’t successful, but I learned so much about myself and the industry during my time with the group. Living and training in LA as a dancer was incredible, but I felt like something was missing. Being in that group reminded me of my love for singing and helped me escape this space where I felt I had to choose between the two. Why choose when I could sing and dance.

I moved back to Chicago after quitting the group and ended up teaching dance at a dance studio as well as the local high school. I did all this while working in a financial aid office. Yes, I’m a workaholic. I taught dance for almost four years and got to work with some really amazing kids. One of them, my protege Charles Guyton, actually moved to Atlanta and is currently one of my dancers. He’s a professional dancer working with Anthony Burrell’s studio, and I couldn’t be more proud.

I also met my producer, now husband and took time off from work and music to work on my family. I quit my teaching jobs because my husband enlisted in the military to set up a better more stable life for our little family and we ended up living in Germany for a year. We lived in Alabama for a year, and eventually ended up in Georgia.

It wasn’t until we were settled in Atlanta retired from military life that I was able to jump back in music. As hard as it is juggling being a mom, wife, and artist; I’ve been able to work on finding balance during my time in Atlanta. I’m finally at a place where I’m able to dedicate myself to music and my familial responsibilities in a way that I am proud of.

I’m currently promoting my single, “Mr. Right” and preparing to release my next single “K.I.T.Y (Keep It To Yourself)”! It’s been great working with the people I’ve met through the process of creating and putting out these records. My producer-husband Davion and I have been in the studio working on my project and I’ve been doing artist development with Groove 2 Musik. Be on the lookout for my album I’m dropping a little later this year.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth definitely isn’t the word I would use to describe my journey so far…lol It’s been extremely rough and many sacrifices have had to be made, but it’s been super interesting and a huge learning experience at the same time. My dad has been drilling to me my whole like that life’s best teacher is experience, so I went out and made some experiences…lol

Being a woman in this industry has made things a bit more difficult, especially being an Indian woman that’s a mom and wife. Cultural and societal pressures have impacted my productivity and what I thought of myself at times. Since a very young age, I’ve always been told what I couldn’t do. This list of things that people tried to push on me only became longer after I got married and had my children. There’s this “theory” floating around out there that once a woman becomes a mom/wife that she is no longer able to pursue personal dreams and ambitions. I often feel like people treat me like Im broken or tainted….like my time has run out. I feel the opposite. Sure it’s discouraging sometimes, but most of the time I feel like I’m unstoppable because I know I’m responsible for showing my children what it is to have dreams and goals, what it takes to pursue them, and what it looks like to accomplish them. I plan on doing ALL of that!

V-Spot Publishing – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am my brand. I am the company. I sing, dance, songwrite and am known for giving a good show. I’m most proud of the team that I’ve been able to build and the things that we accomplish together. I think the way that I value my team and understand the weight of their contribution to my project is what sets me apart from others. I’ve often heard other artists refer to dancers as disposable accessories on stage. I just don’t believe that. I think every person’s contribution is equally important. I also think the fact that I’ve gotten to experience music and performance from so many different aspects gives me a better understanding and further helps me create a vision that sets me apart.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
From a very young age, I thought true success was achieving happiness in life. If you can find a way to do this and make money at the same time….you’re winning!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vijetanow.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vijetanow/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vijetanow
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vijetanow

Image Credit:
David Rams, Michael Carson, Noire Artistry, Reuben C.

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