Kiran Gandhi

Interview by Allison Daroie

I sat down with my good friend Kiran Gandhi last week. I thought who better to start off the Monday Mavens series than a mover and shaker, who really pushes the envelope daily. Kiran went on tour as the drummer for MIA, she recently received her MBA from Harvard Business School, and she constantly speaks out for gender equality. Recently, Kiran received a lot of attention from the likes of People and Cosmo for making a political statement, running the London Marathon on her period! Kiran bled freely to raise awareness about the shame that often occurs when women experience their monthly cycle. In short, Kiran is an overall bad ass. Enjoy!  

AD: Please explain who you are and what you do.                                                  
KG: I am a musician, who works for Spotify, drums and creates electronic music.  

AD: Where are you from originally?                                                                          
KG: New York City 

AD: Where did your motivation to pursue your passion originate?                      
KG: I thought drumming was badass!! 

AD: What is a typical day like for you?                                                                      
KG: I love to live my life “atomically” which means I don’t set many plans for the day. Instead, I try to make sure I address my passions each day spontaneously - I try to make sure I do something feministy, musical and physical every day. Beyond that, I let the flow of life take its course! This way of living absolutely requires versatile clothing though, so that you are ready for any turn of events. Hence why I am a huge fan of the Paridaez movement! 

AD: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome to get where you are today? 
KG: I think a constant obstacle is to trust the path I am on and preserve inner confidence and stability. Sometimes during stages of flux you don’t know if you are making the right choice, so for me, being able to trust my gut, stay confident, is something I work hard at daily.  

AD: What was your proudest moment?
KG:  When I ran the London Marathon on my period!! 

AD: What does being successful mean to you?                                                      
KG:  When you are able to feel really good and secure in many types of situations - highs and lows combined. 

AD: What advice would you give your younger self?                                              
KG: To have practiced my drum chops more!

AD: How do you unwind?                                                                                          
KG: With a good, amazing person, talking for hours over shisha 

AD: What’s your typical fitness routine?                                                                  
KG: I do something every day and alternate between Crossfit Medusa (all-women’s!), SoulCycle, Bikram yoga and running on the Charles River. I also walk and bike around Boston daily. And…I drum! 

AD: What are your daily beauty rituals?                                                                    
KG: Make sure I drink water, eat greens and get some sun! 

AD: What’s a hidden gem in your area? (It can be a cafe, store, studio, etc.)      
KG: Habibi Cafe in Allston 

AD: What’s the top song on your playlist right now?                                              
KG: “Make You Feel” by Alina Baraz 

AD: Who is the most inspiring person in your area and why?                                
KG: My producer, Anthony Saffery. He has worked with Beck and Portugal the Man, and is just so cool. He is patient, thoughtful, and helps gets the best music out of me. He is the most in the flow, talented person I know in my area. I love his family too - his wife JJ owns Cuisine En Locale, and I love hanging with their two teenage kids and chatting about music and other fun things. They are all just so real for being so extraordinarily talented. 

AD: How do versatile pieces make your life easier?                                              
KG: I have so many different moments in my day - working out, drumming, working in the office at Spotify, working in the studio, I NEED versatile clothing! I literally own specific pieces of clothing that I already know can carry me through the different parts of my day - stuff that I can get away with wearing to the office that I can then work out in later - this is why I NEED PARIDAEZ in my life!! 

AD: Is there any last comment you would like to leave us with?                        
KG: Thank you to Paridaez for enabling women to live empowering, diverse lives!