INTERVIEW: Gargie Verma of the Forbidden Lovers

by Joshua Scarselli.

I had the chance to sit down and talk with Gargie Verma of the Forbidden Lovers. Gargie is an extremely talented artist and spiritualist. Her music has a bit of a classical Indian music mixed with a modern hip hop and EDM sound. Gargie tells us about her awesome, original music and the journey that brought her to the Hudson Valley.

RRX: Please tell me a little about yourself. What is the road that brought you to Woodstock?

GV: We are Forbidden Lovers—Halo & Infinity—a musical duo, soulmates, and mystics on a mission to awaken ancient frequencies through modern expression. We are also highly versatile sonic explorers, having traveled across the world, studying a wide spectrum of musical traditions—from classical Indian Dhrupad to Afrobeat, pop, folk, and experimental electronica. Together, we’ve mastered the ability to recreate, transform, and invent soundscapes, blending the ancient with the futuristic.

Halo carries the depth of sacred Indian classical training and global sound healing practices, while Infinity brings visionary lyricism, conscious rap, and bold artistic storytelling. We’re sonic shapeshifters who can channel any energy—then create something entirely new from it.

Woodstock called to us like a whisper from the forest—a sacred pause from the chaos, a place where we could root and rise. It’s more than just home—it’s where we remember who we are, and why we’re here.

RRX: Who are your biggest influences? What genre would you put yourself in?

GV: Our music is alchemy. A fusion of ancient Indian ragas, sacred Vedic chants, conscious rap, sensual poetry, and electronic beats. It flows across timelines—earthly and cosmic, divine and deeply human.

We’re influenced by the spirits of Wasifuddin Dagar, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, A. R. Rahman and the infinite silence between the notes.

And of course, we carry the fire of Madonna, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé—visionaries, transformers, creators of worlds. We see ourselves as a power couple, too—spiritually fierce and artistically limitless.

We don’t fit neatly into a single genre. We call it SDM Spiritual Dance Music. Some say it’s healing, some say it’s sexy and revolutionary. We say—it’s remembrance.

RRX: Please speak more about the spiritual influence in your creativity and how you blend ancient sounds with something modern?

GV:  Our music is rooted in devotion and transformation. Halo sings the Ancient music-carrying deep training in Indian classical music, especially Dhrupad, a meditative form that opens portals to the eternal. Infinity brings poetic mysticism—channeling modern beats, digital textures, and sacred wordplay. When we create, it’s a ritual, a sacred act. Every sound is placed with intention, bridging the timeless with the now. We believe ancient vibrations and futuristic sounds can exist not just in harmony—but in alchemy—to heal, awaken, and elevate.

RRX: Given the wide range your music covers, how do you decide which elements to put in which track?

GV: It always begins with a feeling, a vision, or a moment we’re trying to express. Once we tune into that, the elements—whether it’s an ancient raga, a synth line, or a spoken word passage—start falling into place. We don’t force fusion; we let the track reveal what it wants to become. Every song is its own universe.

RRX: What do you look for in a potential collaboration?

GV: Authenticity. Depth. Frequency alignment. We’re drawn to artists who move from a place of purpose, not ego. Whether it’s a jazz musician, an electronic producer, a dancer, or a visual artist—if they’re fearless and open to the unknown, that’s who we want to create with. It has to feel like a real exchange of energy.

RRX: What’s your favorite collaboration so far?

GV: Our favorite collaboration is the one we live every day—with each other. Creating music as lovers, spiritual companions, and artists is the ultimate collaboration.

But one unforgettable moment was a live set at a secret forest gathering, where we performed an unreleased track blending a Dhrupad alap, live tanpura, and freestyled rap invocation under the stars. The entire audience entered a trance-like state—crying, dancing, praying. The trees swayed. It felt like the earth was listening.

RRX: How did you end up having your music featured at Fashion Week?

GV: It was a moment of magic and momentum. One of our original soundscape videos caught the attention of a few NYC designers—it was wild, raw, and full of life. But what we performed at Fashion Week wasn’t fusion or ancient—it was a refreshing burst of original ska rock music.

The track was called I’m an Animal—playful, rebellious, and full of energy. The message hit deep, the groove hit harder, and the designers loved it. Our sound was fresh, fierce, and unforgettable—and they wanted that on the runway. That performance made waves.

RRX: What do you want someone to take away from one of your performances?

GV: We want them to leave transformed.

Not just entertained—but awakened. We want people to feel something ancient stirring inside them … to remember a part of themselves that was never broken.

Whether it’s the deep bass grounding their body, or a mantra rising in their crown, our music is meant to be a portal—to healing, to ecstasy, to divine remembrance.

We want them to laugh, cry, dance, pray, feel sexy, and feel sacred—all in the same breath.

RRX: Do you have any upcoming shows, and where can people find your work?

GV: Yes, we have some upcoming shows in New York City, Rhinebeck, and Woodstock, and we’re also planning an intimate performance series soon. The best way to stay updated is through our Instagram @theforbiddenlovers and our website. Our music is on all major platforms—Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube—so tune in wherever you are.

RRX: Anything you would like to say in closing that we haven’t already covered?

GV: Just a reminder: sound is sacred. We don’t create music just to entertain—it’s meant to shift something inside. If you ever hear our work and feel something stir within you, that’s the point. This is a journey, not a product. And we’re grateful to be walking it with you.

From the Forbidden Lovers:

May you always remember the love you are made of.

May every beat bring you closer to your truth.

And when the world gets loud, may our music be your portal home.

We’ll meet you in the sound.