INTERVIEW: NADINE — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: CK Goldiing

NADINE

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SHE was born in Switzerland but…

resides in London. I have been talking to NADINE about her new track, Rise - and working on the eye-catching video with Gareth Kay. She tells me about her move from Switzerland and working with producer Dave Holden. Rise, the E.P., will follow and is something NADINE is excited to share with the world. I ask about her upbringing and whether she was raised in a musical household; how her third E.P. (Rise) differs from her previous offerings – and whether recording the new material has been a personal experience.

NADINE offers me a window into her music and the inspiration behind it; what she has planned for Christmas; recommends a few new artists worth our consideration – and why this week has been pretty non-stop.

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Hi, NADINE. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam! I’m good, thanks.

My week has been pretty full-on - but in a good way. Lots of preparing for the E.P. launch; my first radio interview and, amongst all that celebrating, my birthday!

For those new to your work; can you introduce yourself, please?

Yes. I’m an independent singer-songwriter, originally from Switzerland; I moved to London six years ago - and have been working on my music since.

It’s great to have found a network of creatives in London!

Rise is your new single. What is the story behind the song?

It took me a long time to write it…

I was inspired by many different events and I kept working on it during the course of almost two years. The story around this song is quite hard to put in words as it has got lots of layers to it. It’s about the vulnerable feeling in the hope of new love. It’s about having found something incredible that requires letting go of what I was used to. It’s about my experience of faith and how it challenges me beyond anything else.

I first thought it might be too personal or too mysterious but, the more badass and empowering it became, the more I wanted to share it with people!

Its video sees you working with Gareth Kay. What was it like shooting the video?

It was great.

I’m so glad I found out about Gareth’s videos online. I knew he was the right person to work with when I told him about my crazy plan of putting a trampoline in a church - and he thought it was a great idea. When on the trampoline, I thought to myself: ‘Wow. This is actually happening. It’s so much fun!’. Gareth was so kind and hilarious - and also made sure we didn’t compromise on quality amongst the madness.

The E.P., Rise, is out on 23rd November. Has it been quite a personal experience putting it together? Which songs stand out to you – and have particular meaning and impact?

The process of writing my own songs is usually a highly personal one.

It’s often interesting to then start collaborating with a producer and other musicians: that’s when it feels like a personal thing becomes a (more) common-good - which is sometimes scary, but rewarding. The opening song of the E.P. is called Pocahontas; it’s a song that means a lot to me - because the true story of Pocahontas has always inspired me (from) when I was a kid.

I’m looking forward to sharing it with people.

PHOTO CREDIT: CK Goldiing

Dave Holden assists in production. You have worked together before. What is it about him that brings the music to life?

I always enjoy working with Dave because, next to being incredibly talented and professional, he’s also (just) one of the nicest humans to talk to - and to be creative with. His compositions are cinematic, gritty and powerful…which had a transformative effect on my ballads.

Dave also encouraged me to worry less about perfection when it comes to vocal performance - which I found empowering.

This will be your third E.P. Have you grown in confidence and ability, would you say, since your debut?

Yes, absolutely!

It’s a continuous learning-process - and I wouldn’t want to go back.

NADINE_exposition_rodycloud_photography_stmary_woolnoth_bank_ldn.jpg

PHOTO CREDIT: Rodycloud Photography

You are based in the U.K. Switzerland is where you hail from. What was the reason for locating to the U.K.? Are there big differences between the music scenes?

I always had an interest in the international music scene and London felt like the perfect place to connect and grow my English - and my craft as a songwriter. I love the creative atmosphere in London: it’s very inspiring and it feels more natural to be a professional songwriter here than in Switzerland...

Yet; I always love performing in Switzerland because artists are treated very nicely and there’s less a feeling of being part of an oversaturated market.

PHOTO CREDIT: CK Goldiing

Did you grow up in a musical household? How influential were your parent regarding your music?

Yes. My parents both enjoy playing music.

My mum used to write songs and perform in a band - that’s why it always felt natural for me to want to be a performing artist. My parents have always been incredibly supportive of my endeavours - which I’m very grateful for.

Which artists are most inspiring to you? Who were the names you loved when you were younger?

I used to listen to classic 1980s/1990s Pop; for example, Whitney Houston, NSYNC and Destiny’s Child. Nowadays, I enjoy songs with lots of lyrical depth; for example, that of (the maybe lesser-known) Josh Garrels or Sleeping at Last.

IN THIS PHOTO: Polly Money/PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Louise Bennett - Photographer

Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?

I’ve got an almost endless list for you - but there are some highly skilled songwriters out there…

For example: Polly Money, Beth Keeping; Shane Beales and Jules Rendell…

If you had to select the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?

It’s quite hard to pick whole albums nowadays: so I’m gonna have to go back in time a bit!

Brooke Fraser – Flags

The album I listened to while I started writing songs more regularly (before I moved to London).

Kye Kye – Fantasize

This album heavily inspired the sound of my second E.P. when I was working with producer JJ Mitchell.

Stromae – Racine Carrée

I hope adding an album in French is allowed? (Indeed – Sam).

I can’t even begin to say how much I admire Stromae as an artist. There’s something (incredibly) unique about him - and he writes with such skill and integrity (and his music videos are incredible!).