Welcome to Point of Origin
Hosted by Sameer Gadhia
Presented by SiriusXM’s ALT Nation
Point of Origin is a spotlight dedicated to challenging the homogenous narrative of Alternative and Indie Rock Music by amplifying voices of color in the past, present, and future of the genre.
“Alternative music, true to its very definition, draws from multicultural inspiration. It’s time the genre better personified its roots. Through Point of Origin, I want to create opportunity for artists of color and help foster a divergent narrative for today & tomorrow’s Alternative music scene.”
— Sameer Gadhia
Artist Spotlight
Dreamer Isioma
Featured Track
“In My Head”
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This month’s feature is Dreamer Isioma a second-generation Nigerian-American musician, who since the age of 3 was learning violin, piano, music theory and fell in love with music. Initially though, due to their household being very religious, those early introductions to the world of music were restricted to a lot of Christian rock, classical, pop and of course, Michael Jackson. But it didn’t take long before Dreamers’ musical world expanded to the likes of Lady Gaga, Pierce the Veil, Chief Keef and the Chicago drill scene that was taking off in their hometown. The result is Dreamer’s kaleidoscopic world and ever expanding sound that is critically acclaimed and led to a cult following around the world.
Past Artists
Hemlock Springs
Featured track: “Enknee1”
Whole the North Carolina native Naomi Udu, AKA Hemlocke Springs, got her name from a random name generator, her music is incredibly intentional. She began writing music in between exams while getting her Master’s Degree in Medical Informatics from Dartmouth.
The F16s
Featured track: “Moon Child”
For over ten years, Chennai based four-piece The F16s have been churning towards an ongoing refinement of their vision. Through extended periods of economic uncertainty and a corresponding focus to develop their craft, this music explores alienation with lyrical wit via sonics that pull listeners in almost by the juxtaposition of the sentiment.
Brittany Howard
Featured track: “Prove It To You”
The five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard is back with her new album What Now, drawing an immense and indelible power from endless unpredictability.
About Sameer
Sameer Gadhia has been present on the alternative radio charts for 10 years as the lead singer of acclaimed rock band Young the Giant. He is a first generation Indian American whose celebrated career is highlighted by platinum sales and performances on the world's biggest stages and television shows. Sameer has been lauded as "one of the great contemporary rock voices" (NEW YORK TIMES)
Gadhia is the son of immigrants from Ahmadabad, India, who came to the U.S. in the 80’s shortly before he was born. Issues of culture and diversity have been something he’s ruminated on for most of his life, both consciously and subconsciously. His band Young the Giant's 2016 album Home of the Strange deliberately honed in on the modern American immigrant story, a theme that was especially relevant to the quintet as they're each from different ethnic backgrounds with most being immigrants themselves or first-generation Americans. Gadhia wrote about balancing the two very different worlds of his ethnicity and nationality in an editorial piece for Salon, and also had an in-depth conversation with NPR’s Ailsa Chang on the topic for “Weekend Edition”.
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