INTERVIEW: Nathalie Miranda

INTERVIEW:

Nathalie Miranda

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AN artist I have known for a while…

I have been speaking with Nathalie Miranda about her upcoming single, Echoes. An artist and songwriter with a distinct and memorable voice, I loved last year’s Back to Life. It seems that her forthcoming single (out on 14th April) is going to be among her most effecting, personal and memorable. I was curious to find out more about the song, what her musical tastes were growing up, and what we might expect going forward. If you have not checked out Nathalie Miranda, then follow her on the social media links below and prepare yourself for Echoes – a song sure to get a lot of love and airplay. It is great getting to know better an artist who is among the most distinct out there. Someone impossible to pigeonhole and define. There is a lot for her to look forward to. I am most definitely…

EXCITED to hear what comes next.

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Hi Nathalie. How are you? How had your week been?

Hi Sam! It’s been a busy week for sure - setting the promotional wheels in motion in time for my new release, Echoes. Today is my only free day!

Looking back at 2022, what would you say your personal highlights were?

I feel very fulfilled when I look back at 2022. I released my '80s-inspired song, Is This Love, which is something I’ve wanted to do for many years. In the summer, I released my first Greek release, Hilia Simadia. Being Greek-Cypriot is something I’m incredibly proud of, and writing and recording in Greek was a whole different experience. Finally, in September, I released Back to Life, which was all about self-acceptance and really reflected what was going on in my own life at the time.

“If I could go back in time and talk to younger Nathalie, I would tell her “You’re going to be ok, but you must believe in yourself and be proud of who you are”.

I understand you have a new track coming out. What can you tell us about it?

Yes. Echoes is the most personal song I’ve ever written. It’s about forgiving my younger self for everything I didn’t do for her, if that makes sense. It’s almost like I’ve come full circle, and now I’m an adult, I can really look back on the way I thought about myself and the way I treated myself. I have always struggled with self-confidence and self-image, which I think is something many people experience when they’re growing up. For me, it was detrimental to my development in many ways. If I could go back in time and talk to younger Nathalie, I would tell her “You’re going to be ok, but you must believe in yourself and be proud of who you are”. So, it’s very much about forgiveness and reflection.

How would you say your sound and direction has changed since your earliest work came out?

I would say that right now, I’m surer of the direction in which I want to go with each release. My first release was the Bulletproof E.P. in 2017, which consisted of three very random songs! I was very keen to release music, and so I rushed the process greatly. Since 2020, particularly from Catch-22 onwards, all my songs are crafted with a particular direction and sound in mind. I enjoy experimenting with genre and sound, and even though it’s not favoured by the industry, I intend to continue doing just that.

Songs such as Back to Life saw you receiving love and attention from the press and radio. How important is it to get this backing and exposure?

As much as artists don’t like to get involved with the business side of music, it is extremely important to give your art the exposure that it deserves so that it can connect with as many people as possible. The market is so incredibly saturated right now, and without that support or promotion from press and radio, it’s so much harder to reach a wider audience.

“Similarly, I didn’t really know who Queen were at the time, but I knew how I felt when I heard Freddie Mercury’s voice. He is my biggest inspiration”.

Take me back to the start. When did music come in your life and which artists and albums struck you at a young age?

Music has always been part of my life. My mum would always be playing a variety of records at home, from Whitney (Houston) to Queen to Julio Iglesias, so I definitely have many influences. I remember hearing Prince’s album, Diamonds and Pearls, as I had an older cousin who was obsessed with him. I didn’t understand the subject matter as I was so young, but once I heard his music I was hooked. Similarly, I didn’t really know who Queen were at the time, but I knew how I felt when I heard Freddie Mercury’s voice. He is my biggest inspiration. I also remember hearing Madonna’s Erotica album (another one of my mum’s purchases!) and I thought it was very experimental for its time.

Looking ahead, might there be an E.P. or album coming at some point? What do you hope to achieve this year with your music?

At the moment, I prefer releasing singles. It gives me the freedom to evolve as an artist with each release, both in genre, image, and subject matter. My plans for 2023 include releasing my first Spanish song, and later in the year my first Christmas song, which I wrote when I was 19! I’ve also started working on another Greek song so, yes, there is plenty going on!

I know a lot of people will want to see you live. Where might we be able to catch you later in the year?

I have a couple of live gigs scheduled so far. More to be confirmed. They are all in London, so the best place to check is my website, where you can find all the info.

Aside from yourself, there are a lot of great rising artists to watch out for. Who else would you recommend we check out?

Definitely check out my good friends WALWIN, and also Izzy T.

Finally, and for being a good sport, you can select any song (from another artist) and I will play it here.

Oh, that’s a hard decision! I’m going to say Gett Off by Prince. Just off the top of my head!