Quiet Light is the recording project of Texas-raised electronic folk artist Riya Mahesh. Raised in Austin’s band scene, she later moves to Boston for medical school and continues to pursue a medical degree at UMass while recording music. Mahesh describes herself as “normal” and uses the project to make songs that feel, in her words, like “soft light” and floating.

Background and name

The name Quiet Light comes from a track on The National’s 2019 album I Am Easy to Find. The project reflects Mahesh’s interest in contrast and extremes, and she describes an ideal song as something that combines Charli XCX and Gillian Welch.

Style and releases

Quiet Light works across electronic, folk, indie folk, experimental and dream pop. Mahesh first draws attention with the Bandcamp release Blue Angel Sparkling Silver, an ambient recording built around voice memo fragments and ambient production that gives glimpses of daily life. She then leans further into lyricism and synth work on the EP Contact, using acoustic guitar and synthesizers to evoke her Texas upbringing and personal change.

Activity and support

The project receives support from Spotify’s Fresh Finds Experimental playlist and appears in opening slots for Superfan, Hovvdy at their Austin album release show, and Luna Li.