I had the incredible opportunity to have a conversation with Mandeep Dhillon, a British South Asian actress and singer. Renowned for her portrayal on CSI: Vegas, she is now showcasing her musical talents through the release of her EP titled “Light of Mind.” The EP features the first single, “Roll It Up,” which captures the essence of pop and R&B, providing the perfect summer vibes. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that one can always pursue their dreams, no matter the circumstances.

We initially became acquainted with you as an actress, but you have shared with us that music was your initial passion. Could you please tell me about your experience of initially pursuing acting instead of music?

I used to sing in the choir in junior school and loved it. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I remember I used to sit by my tape player (old school vibes) and keep pressing pause then play then pause then play to write out the lyrics to my favorite songs so I could learn them word for word (this was before the internet came into my life hahaha). I would make up dance routines in school and then perform to my class on “show and tell” day. I definitely had it in my head that I would become a popstar, until one day I was belting out a song as I often would back then and one of my uncles sort of ‘shushed’ me, saying I shouldn’t sing. That moment was so huge for little Mandeep, who thought ‘oh I mustn’t be able to sing then’ so that was that, I stopped dreaming of being a popstar. The next best thing for performing was acting, so I put all my focus into that.

What prompted you to realize that it was time for Mandeep to return to her first love, music, this time around?

Honestly, God. I started going to church back in 2019 and have been on this beautiful journey/walk of becoming the person I was always called to be. In 2022 whilst filming in LA, I got baptized through my church out there, ‘One Potters House’. The moment I came out of the water it was as if God took my deepest desire, music, from the pit of my stomach and stuck it right in front of my eyes. I couldn’t ignore it any longer. It was honestly like day and night, I went into the water not thinking of music at all, I came out and that’s all I could think of, ‘I need to create my own music’, it felt urgent. To top it of the week after I had many serendipitous moments, an uber driver asked me how my album was going, a random stranger at a car dealership asked me if I was a rapper and my hair stylist on the show started to say ‘Mandeep I’m telling you, you need to make music’. I remember laughing and letting God know ‘Ok I hear you, I’ll do it’.

What have you learned about yourself as a creative and storyteller through your journey from being an actress to becoming a singer?

I have learned that as much as I love acting and playing a character, there has been something empowering about creating my own art.

As you embark on this thrilling new journey into music, do you still plan to pursue acting?

Absolutely.

As a musician, what qualities do you aspire to be recognized for?

My storytelling. My vibe. My catchy melodies.

When people listen to a Mandeep track, what emotions do you hope they will experience through your music?

Everything. I want people to listen to my music and feel free to feel how they want to feel. I want them to feel safe to feel any and every emotion that my music makes them feel. I have some deep songs and a few of them are extremely honest. I hope that my music can be as healing as it has been to me for others.

Let’s now delve into “Light of Mind.” Can you provide more details about it and what you hope listeners will derive from it?

Light Of Mind, is me declaring who I am as an artist and the space I intend to take up in the industry. It’s me letting people know what my sound is, my voice is and my vibe. It’s fun, it’s vibey, it’s sad at times but mainly, its healing.

I understand that the release of this EP represents the culmination of your life’s journey and the multitude of experiences you have encountered. Could you please tell me about a particular moment in time that has greatly influenced you?

I think having therapy and going on the journey of healing my inner child.

The song “Roll It Up” combines elements of fun, pop, and R&B. Could you please guide me through the process of writing, recording, and producing the song?

I always had studio time booked in with the producer, Tushar Apte, for this certain day. In the morning, I woke up to a voice note from my cousin, Reece Bahia, who is an incredibly talented music artist. He sent me a voice note singing the hook ‘roll it up, coz your grass is always greener’ to which I replied saying, ‘that’s so sick I love it, can’t wait to hear the full song.’ He then replied saying ‘No, it just came to my head for you, I think you should write a song to it.’ I then spent the next hour before the studio playing about with the hook and turning into the chorus it is now. As soon as Tushar heard the chorus, he just started producing it there and then. It was a super fun process. We cut most of the vocals that day then I wrote the second verse at home that night, came to the studio the following morning and finished all the harmonies.

Lastly, if you had the opportunity to tell your younger self something prior to not pursuing music as you had envisioned, what would it be?

I would say, there will be so much noise around you in your life. There will be people who speak their own fear into you. Put all your trust in God and yourself, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. You will be all that you were created to be. You will have all that you desire, and you are worthy and deserving of it all. Lastly, I would thank her for never losing hope and reassure her that I’ll always love her.

Credits
Photographer: Sequoia Emmanuelle
Stylist: Mandeep Dhillon
Hair: Paula Ashby
Make up: Tatiyana Elias