SYMMETRY: A Crooked Line | Frizzell Dsouza | TEDxFMMC

Introduction and Song Context

• A song titled "Symmetries" is performed, which sets the context for the discussion about symmetry and its implications (25s).
• The song's lyrics describe the struggle of living in a world that values perfection and symmetry, and the desire to break free from these expectations (39s).
• The performer, Frizzell Dsouza, grew up in a city with a strong emphasis on order and perfection, but felt like they didn't fit in (57s).
• The song's lyrics also touch on the idea of being true to oneself and embracing individuality, despite the pressure to conform to societal norms (1m20s).

Frizzell Dsouza's Background and Non-Linear Path

• Frizzell Dsouza introduces themselves as a singer, songwriter, and architecture graduate, and shares that they come from a family of medical professionals (4m58s).
• They mention that they don't have a traditional, inspiring story to share, but instead want to talk about their non-linear path in life and how it's okay to have a "crooked" path (5m15s).
• Frizzell Dsouza shares a personal anecdote about growing up and feeling like they were only known as "Dr. Clem's daughter" or "Dr. Hilda's daughter", and how this bothered them (5m48s).
• They reflect on how this experience made them feel like they were on a mission to prove themselves and establish their own identity (6m2s).
• The individual's parents worked hard to establish themselves, and their identity was initially attached to their parents' accomplishments (6m12s).

Childhood and Early Influences

• School felt normal due to very Indian and academia-oriented parents, and the individual was considered a nerd, involved in extracurricular activities, sports, art, and music (6m26s).
• At the age of seven, the individual was sent to learn the violin, an instrument they hated, but continued to attend classes for eight years, which eventually taught them the basics of music theory (7m1s).
• In 10th grade, the individual was asked about their plans, and despite having medical parents, they didn't find medicine appealing, but instead had a love for science and art, leading them to study architecture (8m0s).

Architecture and Discovering Music

• The individual got admission in RV College of Architecture in Bangalore, where they experienced a mini culture shock, as they were used to being around people who knew how to play an instrument (8m46s).
• Architecture was an energy and time-consuming profession, and the individual would often pick up their guitar and sing as a break, which became a hobby (9m4s).
• In the hostel, the individual sang a song called "Stand By Me," and was surprised to find that their roommate, who didn't listen to English music, knew the song, which was actually inspired by a Bollywood version (10m0s).
• The individual discovered that Bollywood was inspired by "Stand By Me," and that Bollywood often takes inspiration from other sources (10m30s).

Pursuing Music and Early Performances

• The performance of a lifetime was experienced while watching Indiva, which inspired quickly picking up a guitar, singing a song, and recording a cover, ultimately leading to the creation of a YouTube channel in 2018 (10m38s).
• Music was initially a hobby, especially for women, and didn't seem like a viable career path while studying architecture (11m1s).
• The first gig was at The Good Gallet in 2018, where a call was made to the cafe to ask if they would allow singing, and the performance lasted for four hours (11m17s).
• In October 2019, a challenge called Inktober was undertaken, but instead of sketching, a song was sung every day on Instagram (11m51s).

Gaining Recognition and Building Momentum

• The follower count doubled after a cover of Prateek Kuhad's song "Cold Mess" was shared by him on his story (12m9s).
• Many established musicians in the indie industry recognized the music, but studying architecture continued, and a conventional life with a steady income was still the goal (12m32s).

Pandemic, Original Music, and Breakthrough

• During the pandemic, a lot of time was spent at home, leading to the discovery of an old iPhone and the start of shooting videos within the house (13m22s).
• A friend suggested stepping up the music game and writing original songs, which wasn't daunting due to the experience of working on architecture projects and receiving critiques (13m51s).
• The lesson learned from architecture was to not get sentimentally attached to projects and to focus on improving and creating better versions (14m21s).
• Writing a song every day became a habit, and eventually, a song was sung during a live Instagram session with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy from the Bollywood Trio (14m57s).
• The debut as an independent artist was made with the release of the song "New" in August 2020, which did well and led to the creation of another song called "Drown Away" in December 2020 (15m1s).
• Spotify got in touch and offered to feature the artist on the cover of their global playlist "Radar India", which focuses on upcoming indie talent from the respective country (15m27s).
• The artist quickly wrote another song, "Foolish Once Again", and performed it, with lyrics that include "let's dance till we fall in love" and "let's dance till this falls apart" (15m57s).
• The song "Foolish Once Again" was released and the artist was featured on the cover of Spotify's "Radar India" playlist, giving them a sense of fulfillment and identity (19m36s).

Parental Support and Career Shift

• The artist's parents, including their dad Dr. Clement, were supportive of their music career and did not require much convincing to let them pursue it (20m7s).
• The artist released their first EP, a five-track EP called "The Hills", and it did well, leading them to realize that they had the opportunity to go after their own dreams rather than sitting at a desk job (20m52s).
• The artist decided to take a break from their career and focus on music, which was initially met with concern from their parents but ultimately supported (21m20s).
• The break led to the EP being nominated for the best EP of the year, and the artist receiving an award for the best singer-songwriter of the year (21m47s).

Tours, Releases, and Reflections on Asymmetry

• The journey began with the Indian music Diaries, where covers were made, and some of them got recognized by Sitam and Jacob Kia, which was an interesting and fun experience (21m58s).
• A band tour across 11 cities in India was undertaken, playing at festivals like N7 weekend at Z land and Hanul music festival in Nagaland, which was a special experience as it took the music far away from home (22m18s).
• The first EP was released as a record label signed artist under Kaa originals, and a second EP has also been released (22m48s).
• Life is asymmetrical, and it doesn't travel in a straight line, making it essential to accept the crooked path and give things a shot, even if the outcome is uncertain (23m2s).
• The fear of failing at something new or regretting not taking a shot is a significant consideration, and it's crucial to decide what one is more scared of (23m32s).

Identity, Family, and a Tribute to Mothers

• Finding identities can be a full-circle experience, as seen when a fourth-year student recognized the speaker's sister, Dr. Fana, and asked if she was Frizzell Dsouza's sister (23m56s).
• It's essential to explore one's identity and not be attached to another person's identity, as seen in the speaker's journey of self-discovery (24m15s).
• The speaker's mother, Dr. Hilda, has been a driving force and an inspiration, having achieved a lot in her life despite coming from a family with little to survive on (24m35s).
• A song called "Mom's Laabi" was written for Dr. Hilda and mothers everywhere who do a lot of things with a big smile on their face, and it was performed at the end of the talk (25m11s).

Song Performance and Emotional Expression

• The lyrics of a song are being recited, with the lines "it leaves me guessing and I'm just confessing that I love you" being repeated, indicating a strong emotional expression of love. (27m31s)
• The repetition of the lyrics emphasizes the intensity of the emotions being conveyed, with the phrase "I love you" being a clear declaration of feelings. (27m39s)
• The song appears to be a romantic ballad, with the lines "the world has stopped moving and time does no waiting" suggesting a sense of time standing still in the presence of the loved one. (28m15s)