Sonam Negi: Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone Was Necessary To Turn A Lifelong Passion Into A Professional Career [Lead Vocalist, Emecee, 114K Follower, India]

 Sonam Negi Interview

After 13 years as an anchor and emcee, army wife and vocalist Sonam stepped out of her comfort zone to found her band, Sonamazing. Drawing on lifelong musical discipline, live audience connection, and quick warmup rituals, she explains why staying true to your artistic identity matters far more than chasing digital validation.

Q. For readers meeting you for the first time, how would you describe your journey as a lead singer and performer?

My professional journey as a singer feels like a long-time friendship finally becoming official. Singing was my childhood stress-buster that quietly grew into something more than a hobby. I always wanted music as my career, but for years I wandered a bit directionless, so I simply kept learning. Learning music never stops, and last year I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and went pro.

I’ve been anchoring for 13 years, and just last year I launched my own band, Sonamazing. So, this is me finally doing what I’ve loved all along, just with a little more courage and a lot more rehearsal.

Q. What first inspired you to pursue music, and when did you realize it was more than just a passion?

I had a good voice as a kid and loved competing in school events. Being part of the school choir laid the foundation for what music is for me today. Music demands your full attention; it teaches discipline and connects you spiritually to your own self. It stopped being just a pastime a long time ago, I genuinely feel I didn’t choose music; music chose me.

Q. As a lead singer, how do you connect emotionally with your audience during a live performance?

Connecting with an audience is a skill you keep refining. When you step on stage, you quickly gauge the room’s vibe, and that varies with the occasion. But one thing’s constant: positive energy. The audience feeds on it, so your energy has to be generous. Once I’m on stage, it becomes like meditation: everything else falls away. The crowd wants to forget their problems and soak in the moment, and my job is to give them that escape.

Q. How do you prepare your voice and mindset before stepping onto the stage?

I keep it simple: a quick Riyaaz with the Tanpura app on my phone to warm up the throat, plus a few breathing exercises to calm my mind and build confidence. Little rituals like these help me shift into performance mode.

Q. In today’s digital era, how do you balance creating music for online audiences while staying true to your artistic identity?

That’s the tricky part. First, you must clear your mind and be honest about what you want to deliver as an artist. You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try. A true artist won’t create only to chase likes; they make music from the heart, and the right audience will connect with that authenticity. Audience interest matters, but they follow you because they loved your artistic identity in the first place.

Q. What’s one lesson about music or performing that every aspiring singer should learn early in their journey?

Meet the right people at the right time, and don’t waste effort on people who don’t value your art. Music rewards patience and consistency, professional growth takes time. If you’re lucky enough to have music in your life, treat it like the long game it is.

Q. What kind of impact do you hope your music leaves on people long after the performance ends?

I’m not one to claim grand effects, but I hope it’s a positive one. Once after a show at Studio XO in Noida, a woman came backstage and hugged me, she said those two hours were the best she’d had in a long time. Moments like that remind me why I perform. If someone remembers feeling a little lighter because of my music, that’s everything.

Q. A fun one to end with: if you could perform a duet with any artist, past or present, who would it be, and what song would you love to sing together?

Tough choice, but I’d pick the artist who inspired me as a teen: Miley Cyrus. Growing up watching her with Hannah Montana and then seeing her musical evolution was inspiring. I’d love to share a stage with her someday, consider it officially manifested. Fingers crossed!

Bio

Sonam is a passionate lead vocalist, captivating performer, and versatile emcee with over 13 years of experience on stage. A proud Army wife, she balances her professional journey as a live artist and founder of the band Sonamazing with a commitment to continuous learning, growing, and giving back. Rooted in early choir experience and classical vocal training, Sonam combines musical discipline with genuine warmth and positive energy, creating authentic emotional connections with her audience wherever she performs. Beyond the stage, her love for animals and deep-seated compassion drive her belief that music and kindness can make the world a better place.

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Interviewed By Vanshika Gupta