‘The Voice’ star Piumi Senanayake blazes a trail through the local music industry

The newest sensation in music, Piumi Senanayake, recently launched several covers of vintage songs to add a touch of modernisation to the classic hits of old. Hailing from an artistic background and having a passion for music since school, Piumi has now risen to a star along with the strength absorbed from the uber-famous The Voice Sri Lanka competition as well. 
A fashion designer and aspiring vocalist, Piumi sees herself as a strong, honest and amusing addition to the world. “I got introduced to music in grade 4 when I had to choose between Dancing and Music. I had the talent to do both, but I realised that I gravitated more towards music. Growing up, we always had music playing in the background at home, from Nanda Malini to Stevie Wonder. I’m assuming that’s why I’ve some versatility in me when it gets to singing,” she said.

Starting to make covers as an outlet to project her unique take on classic hits, Piumi believed that her first step to realising her dreams as a recognised singer was to make her own Youtube cover songs. Following this, she entered as a contestant to the Voice Sri Lanka, which took the nation by storm. 

“I had my phases through music. I went through an Avril Lavigne phase to an Adele phase. It pretty much evolves day by day. The kind of music I listen to depends on my mood. However, I would say that I prefer rock, classical, and soul music..” 

“The Voice experience for me, in a word, was amazing. It has been a journey of self-discovery. I got the privilege to learn from two coaches, as Coach Kasun Kalhara chose me at the blinds and Coach Umaria Sinhawansa stole me at the battles. I met a whole new family there. The crew and the friends I met there made a huge impact on my life. It’s not just the singing journey that was palpable for me, but the overall experience and the connections that I will cherish forever,” said Senanayake.

Deriving her unique style from the mixed genres of music that wafted around her childhood home, Piumi says that the exposure to different genres since childhood has shaped her freedom in exploring music. She does not stick to one box and is always willing to learn and try out new genres. 

“I had my phases through music. I went through an Avril Lavigne phase to an Adele phase. It pretty much evolves day by day. The kind of music I listen to depends on my mood. However, I would say that I prefer rock, classical, and soul music,” she commented. 

Music to Piumi Senanayake is a catalyst that lifts her out of dark times. As music has been with her through all the phases of her life and has been an outlet for all her emotions, she believes music is her unique form of self-expression. She believes that one particular song has the power to transcend you from the moment you are into another moment. 

“Everything happens on its own. That’s one thing I love about music. There’s the freedom to express, unlike most things around you. If you’re feeling a certain kind of way, you can just let it out by listening to some great music. My creative process includes experiences and imaginations included together. You can’t just make a song; You have to create it. This is why I include imagination in it,” 

she expressed. 

In looking towards her future, Piumi said that she plans to create her own designer wear clothing brand and hopes to promote it through her upcoming original song. In terms of the music scene, along with her digital marketing team Bizmo Technology, she believes her new original will promote a message that all Sri Lankans will relate to. 

“People around me commented on it, saying things like “Why do you have to give so much power to that specific negative thing in your life? Just let it be and move on…” But I’d say that we all are allowed to express our feelings in whichever way we need. And I choose to convey it through music" she said. "You can check out my YouTube channel, which you can like and subscribe to as well. And in the future, stay tuned for my new releases!”