India Shan - Don't Wanna (Official Video) + 10 Questions

Loup Ent’s latest artist project comes in the form of London singer-songwriter India Shan, who now reveals her floaty new single ‘Don’t Wanna’, out now.

With delicate ethereal synths underlined by a penetrating bassline, ‘Don’t Wanna’ is produced by Loup Ent founder and fellow creative Raf Riley, while India Shan’s silken vocals interweave throughout in an effortless flow. India Shan is deliberately elusive and cryptic with her lyricism, adding to the distant feel of the electronic-inflected R&B song.

Speaking about the song, India explains, “we made Don’t Wanna in Raf’s old flat just before the first lockdown - the song kinda wrote itself, and quickly too. It’s about the patterns in a relationship that aren’t necessarily healthy - wanting to try and make things work but the realisation that it’s not a functional place to be. I think that’s what defines a toxic relationship, when you’re fully aware it’s not right but you struggle to leave because the ups and downs are essentially addictive.” 

‘Don’t Wanna’ comes alongside a music video starring India, mirroring the ethereal nature of the song, with soft yet vibrant hues moving across the screen. The director Jake River Parker shared, “We opted for a performance led video, as opposed to narrative, and just let the tune and her performance steal the show; I think we really achieved that.”

Sometimes it takes a little while to find your own voice. For the North London soul singer, that journey of discovery has been two decades in the making. But with the support of India’s mentors at the Roundhouse, Amy Winehouse Foundation, and the belief of her close collaborator Raf Riley, the 22-year-old is finally at ease expressing her authentic self. In doing so, she’s on the path to realising her vast potential as one of the UK’s most magnetic young voices.

India sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I went to a lot of gigs as a kid, was always keen to play instruments - it might've even been Lisa Simpson that made spurred me to play saxophone for a few years. I think it was a little later on that I really clocked I loved singing the most. But seeing amazing female vocalists on stage was such a motivation - Florence Welch, Grace Jones, Katy B, Lianne La Havas, Jessie Ware, I remember watching Mahalia when I was 12/13 at Latitude, she must've been around the same age.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

It's always been up there to work with someone like MJ Cole, I love his work so much - doing more electronic stuff is a real passion of mine. On the flip side I love R&B with a lil alternative edge to it. I loved Majid Jordan’s older project - A Place Like this. I'd say them and PARTYNEXTDOOR are up there as dream collabs.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

Definitely some more singles on the way, I've been sitting on a fair few that I wrote over the last 2 and a bit years, so it's cool to be able to get them out.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I like being at a stage of exploring different sounds track to track but ultimately maintaining an R&B/soul vocal that'll tie them all together.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I think playing my first weekend festival is up there, that's something I've always wanted to do.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

I mean I could always use some myself to be honest haha, I'd say just try not to feel like you're competing, focus on the music itself.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Mayal - found him through someone's TikTok, he's so talented. Listen to Nowhere Fast. Amazing indie artist, craziest writing & vocals.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Kendrick's Mr.Morale still, Bakar & Kehlani's last album - taken me a while too long to properly dive in to them but am really loving.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Cook, see gigs & take a breather from London. Ideally need sun and saltwater to function..

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Decent lighting, water, and a medium to write - notepad / phone does good.