About

Achanté’s music either moves you, or makes you move.

With two decades in the performing and recording industry in two different continents, Achanté is a Mumbai-bred, Toronto-based powerhouse musician. She’s known for blending analog, digital, and global sounds, with her voice as her lead instrument,  in a decolonizing effort to connect people to each other, and themselves. 

Live audiences love her electrifying performances and memorable sound steeped in old-school jazz and soul, interwoven with alt-pop, electronica and Carnatic noodling, evidenced by a whopping 100+ live shows in the past couple of years.  Achanté’s debut E.P. “Journey to the Centre of the Hearth” (2024) is a sonic bridge connecting Eastern and Western Worlds and has crossed 150,000 streams. It has been hailed by publications like Rolling Stone Magazine, The Sunday Guardian, iHeart Radio, 94.3 Radio One and more.

Achanté’s sound is “nostalgic, rooted and evocative”, and has shared the stage with Bollywood greats like A.R. Rahman, featured on Now Toronto, Brampton Garden City Center billboards, 24 Hip Hop, as well as Spotify and Apple Editorial playlists. Her versatility as a vocalist has seen her move effortlessly between soulful acoustic spaces like Sofar Sounds, Aga Khan Museum, Pearson Airport and Union Summer City Hall, to concert venues like Desifest, Lee's Palace, Nathan Phillips Square and DJ-focused electronica events in Kensington Market and Toronto Islands.

Aside from being a songwriter and performer, Achanté is an active member of the community in both Toronto and Mumbai, amplifying voices and creating opportunities. She has a strong social media presence of 15,000+ followers with a strong brand image that lands her brand collaborations and features. She describes herself as someone who’s free spirited, constantly trying to defy the boundaries of an artist living within the confines of capitalism, who's hopelessly hopeful about the world and the people she crosses paths with.

PRESS KIT (EPK)

NEW

Music

"I Am The Sun" Music Video

Shows

Listening through headphones is great, but Achanté LIVE is a whole different experience! The artist has a versatile sound that she customizes to fit the space and energy of the event that she's a part of - whether it's an intimate solo showcase, acoustic duo set on the Toronto waterfront, fully-amped 5 piece band at a concert or track-assisted live performance at a dance party.

Her memorable sound (kind of like Erykah Badu meets Alicia Keys meets Shae Gill) comes from a diverse upbringing. Achanté has Indian roots and has lent her vocal chops to the indie as well as Bollywood scene in Mumbai, collaborating and sharing the stage with Oscar Winner, A.R. Rahman, Shalmali Kholgade, Sickflip and MTV Coke Studio, to name a few. Since relocating to Toronto in 2019, she has already amassed a growing local fan base headlining legendary venues and shows  like Lee’s Palace, Sofar Sessions, Breaking Sound Canada, Taste of India, OBJX, Clinton’s, Harbourfront and Aga Khan Museum and played 59 live shows (and counting!) in 2022-23 alone. 

Previous events

Date Event Location
HOUSE OF MARASII VOL. 3 Hanlan's Island (Toronto Islands) , Toronto Hanlan's Island (Toronto Islands) , Toronto
LEOSZN - Live and Alive Drom Taberna, Toronto Drom Taberna, Toronto
Taste of India (North America's largest Indian festival- FREE EVENT) Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto
Clinton's Got Talent Clinton's , Toronto Clinton's , Toronto
Breaking Sound Toronto Supermarket Bar & Variety, Toronto Supermarket Bar & Variety, Toronto
Sofar Sounds Toronto Tapestry, Toronto Tapestry, Toronto
GODDESS RISING II [SESSION NUMBER SEVEN] Clinton's , Toronto Clinton's , Toronto
The MixDOWN Palmerston Theatre, Toronto Palmerston Theatre, Toronto
Achanté & Rooh LIVE The Oud & the Fuzz, Toronto The Oud & the Fuzz, Toronto
Headliner for Open Mic Night Nothing Fancy, Toronto Nothing Fancy, Toronto
 —  — Serenades & Cocktails at Mother Cocktail Bar Mother Cocktail Bar, Toronto Mother Cocktail Bar, Toronto
Achanté & Friends Pop Up Performance at Aga Khan Museum Aga Khan Museum , Toronto Aga Khan Museum , Toronto
Achanté & Friends Pop Up Performance at Aga Khan Museum Aga Khan Museum , Toronto Aga Khan Museum , Toronto
DREAM MORE STUDIOS PRESENTS: LAST CONCERT SERIES OF THE YEAR Clinton's, Toronto, ON M6G 1L5 Clinton's, Toronto, ON M6G 1L5
No Place Like Home The Painted Lady, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z9 The Painted Lady, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z9
Achanté headlines Open Concepts - Performance party OBJX Studio #Unit 200a, Toronto, ON M6N 5C9 OBJX Studio #Unit 200a, Toronto, ON M6N 5C9
 — (EDT, UTC-04)  — (EDT, UTC-04) Achanté & Friends at Pedestrian Sunday Kensington Market, Toronto Kensington Market, Toronto
(EDT, UTC-04) (EDT, UTC-04) Fuego Friends Birthday Concert The Mix 669, Toronto The Mix 669, Toronto
The Womage at Lee's Palace Lee's Palace, Toronto Lee's Palace, Toronto

PRESS

 

"I am the sun: Achanté Releases Powerful Ballad on Self-Love. It tells a captivating tale of the duality that exists within us all, personified by the sun, in the repeated lyrics ‘I heal, I burn’. - Noor Anand Chawla, The Sunday Guardian / CLICK TO READ THE NEWSPAPER FEATURE

"For Achanté, music is not just sound—it’s a way to understand herself and the world around her. “The inspiration has always come from within, not from the outside world,” she shares. “It began as a way to process my emotions when I was leaving my home, my family, and my friends. Over time, songwriting has evolved into a tool for making sense of what it means to be human in 2025.” - Miami City Weekly / CLICK TO READ THE INTERVIEW

“From Shriya’s smooth R&B vibes to Achanté’s cosmic neo-jazz anthem, these five indie musicians are making waves with their latest releases.” - Yatamanyu Narain, News 18 / CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE

“Achanté’s music is all about connection—whether it moves you emotionally or gets you moving physically. Our Top Artist To Watch in 2025" - Denis, 24 Hip Hop / CLICK TO READ THE ARTICLE

"Mumbai-bred and Toronto-based versatile singer-songwriter Achanté spoke with us about her growing music discography, particularly the new additions ‘I Am The Sun’ and ‘Rickshaw Ride To Nowhere,’ which forge the crux of her debut EP ‘Journey to the Centre of the Hearth.’ - Denver Cardozo, Ticket Fairy / CLICK TO READ THE INTERVIEW

“This empowering anthem from Black and South Asian artists in Toronto came out of Canada’s largest songwriting camp. “This song is a confidence booster for someone like myself. It’s a hype song for women who work hard and own our power,” Achanté told Now Toronto." - Roveena Jassal, Now Toronto / CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

"Toronto Dream Team Achanté’, Spitty & Siren Sav deliver ‘Princess Bitch Energy’ - A Self Love Dance Anthem - Ariyan, Rolling Hype /  CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

“The addictive self-love dance track combines rappers Spitty and Siren Sav’s unique hip hop flows, singer Achanté’s stunningly sultry vocal hooks and producer Colin Ong’s punchy production to create a self-hype track that celebrates women who groove to their own rhythm, stand in their own power and wear their crown, unapologetically, everyday.” - Lisa, 24 Hip Hop / CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

“Achanté's diverse musical influences, ranging from neo soul and jazz to pop and Carnatic music, contribute to the track's unique and non-formulaic sound.”  - Disha Bijolia, Homegrown / CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

"Achanté’s newest single is the gentle piano-aided “Serotonin Skies.” The soothing ballad also includes a string section, vocal overlays, mellifluous harmonies as well as captivating and emotional lead vocals from Achanté. In a statement, the artist said, “I wrote ‘Serotonin Skies’ three years ago for a long-ago love, but over time, space, two continents, and the many people who have been part of its journey, its meaning has evolved to become an expansive ode – to love, reborn.” - David Britto, Rolling Stone Magazine, India | CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

“Singing of love, endings and the oasis that is life, ‘Serotonin Skies’ sets the stage for an EP that brings depth to the Toronto music scene. A soft soul who “loves love” and describes herself as “too optimistic for her own good”, Achanté hopes to change the way we consume music, reminding us that love leads." - Imaani Walker, Beatcave | CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE 

“The track is a beautiful and powerful piece of music. It speaks to the power of love and being reborn from heartbreak, exploring both the struggles and the joys of finding and reclaiming love. The song starts off with a gentle introduction and builds to an emotional crescendo, with Achante’s powerful vocals reminiscent of a master storyteller guiding us on a journey through their emotional experiences.” - Rohit Jadhav, The Indian Music Diaries | CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

"The song’s dream-pop production sits perfectly with Achanté’s mellifluous vocals and lush texture. In a statement, she said, “This track brings [the] Torontonian and South Asian diaspora together. It weaves the story of two star-crossed lovers, and skillfully maneuvers the listener through feelings of passion, nostalgia, unrequited love and closure.” - David Britto, Rolling Stone Magazine, India | CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

“Mumbai-bred artists; Karan Viegas (based in Brooklyn) and Toronto-based Chantelle Menezes aka Achanté recently delivered a warm neo-soul cover of the timeless George Gershwin classic “Summertime.” The duo showcases Indian and African influences across their version as they share vocal duties brilliantly while slick piano work, percussive chants, lush pads and several modulations, as well as soundscapes of birds, meadows and swaying trees, give the track a seismic lift” - David Britto, Rolling Stone Magazine, India | CLICK TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Videos

SOFA SESSIONS INTERVIEW & SHOWCASE

Photos

Contact

Hi!

I'm working on an exciting new project called “Elemental” where each track will reflect the four elements of nature. Meanwhile, I continue to perform regularly in Toronto! Come out to a show or be a part of my journey by following and engaging with me on social media.

Thanks for stopping by and supporting this independent artist :)