Kiran Gandhi (born February 21, 1989), also known by her stage name Madame Gandhi, is an American electronic music producer, drummer, artist and activist.[1]

Madame Gandhi performing during the Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit, October 2023

Gandhi's music career includes being a touring drummer for artists M.I.A., Thievery Corporation, and Kehlani. Her music and activism focuses on female empowerment and fourth-wave feminism. In 2015, Gandhi ran the London Marathon bleeding freely on her period to combat the menstrual stigma people face around the world, sparking a viral conversation about how menstruation is treated in various cultures. She has performed in music festivals such as Pitchfork, Lightning in a Bottle, Roskilde and SXSW.

Life and career

Early life and education

Gandhi, born February 21, 1989, is the daughter of philanthropist Meera Gandhi and social entrepreneur Vikram Gandhi.[2] Growing up, Gandhi spent time in both New York City and Bombay, India.[3]

In 2011, Gandhi received her undergraduate degree in mathematics, political science and women's studies from Georgetown University. After graduating she began an internship as the first digital analyst at Interscope Records based in Santa Monica, California. This position later became full-time. Gandhi used her mathematics skill to analyze patterns in Spotify streaming data and other digital media.[3][4][5]

In 2015 Gandhi received her MBA from Harvard University.[3]

Early career

In 2012, Gandhi recorded live drums accompanying the M.I.A. track "Bad Girls." In February 2013, M.I.A. wrote to Gandhi praising the recording and asked her to play drums for the tour supporting the album Matangi.[4] At the same time Gandhi accepted an offer to study at Harvard Business School.[6] Gandhi left Interscope Records in 2013.[7]

2016-2017: Voices

In 2016, her debut musical release Voices (EP) was published.[6]

In 2017, Gandhi collaborated with female-identifying producers to release Voices Remixed. That year, she also ran the Vancouver Marathon and was the opening act for Ani DiFranco's Rise Up Tour. Gandhi toured Europe and India and also spoke at Airbnb, Pandora Radio, Spotify, the United Nations, and on college campuses.

2019: Visions

In 2019, Gandhi's second musical release Visions (EP) was published, beginning her new partnership with Sony Music Masterworks.[8]

Public image

In 2015, Gandhi ran the London Marathon bleeding-freely on her period as a symbolic act to combat the menstrual stigma that women, girls and trans people face around the world.[9]

She is openly queer.[10]

Awards

Best Music Video jury award-winner 2021 at SXSW

2020 Ted Fellow [11]

Gandhi was on the list of the BBC's 100 Women announced on 23 November 2020.[12]

Gandhi was in Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2019[13]

2015 Harvard University Fitzie Foundation Prize Winner [14]

References

  1. ↑ "Madame Gandhi: About". Madame Gandhi.
  2. ↑ Khurana, Suanshu (2 June 2014). "Indian-origin percussionist Kiran Gandhi drums up a storm in the US". The Indian Express. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "ABOUT – Madame Gandhi Blog". 2 February 2017. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  4. 1 2 "How Drummer Kiran Gandhi Began Touring With M.I.A. -". 5 May 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Madame Gandhi On The Intersectionality Of Feminism And Why "The Future Is Female"". Vibe. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  6. 1 2 "For M.I.A. Drummer Madame Gandhi, "The Future Is Female" Is More Than Just a Song Title | L.A. Weekly". www.laweekly.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "ABOUT". 15 February 2012.
  8. ↑ Masterworks, Sony Music. "Acclaimed Artist & Activist Madame Gandhi Debuts New Music Video For "Waiting For Me"". sony.com. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  9. ↑ Gandhi, Kiran (14 August 2015). "Here's why I ran the London Marathon on the first day of my period – and chose not to wear a tampon". Independent. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  10. ↑ "The unlikely rise of Madame Gandhi, M.I.A.'s former drummer with a Harvard MBA". Los Angeles Times. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  11. ↑ Ted Staff (23 January 2020). "Meet the 2020 class of TED Fellows and Senior Fellows". Ted Blog. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  12. ↑ "BBC 100 Women 2020: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "30 Under 30 2019: Music". Forbes. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  14. ↑ Chase, Laurence (21 September 2016). "The Fitzie Foundation". 2016 - The Fitzie Foundation. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
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