The 23 year old singer-songwriter from Edinburgh has had an exciting twelve months. Seeing a change in sound from her acoustic folk days following the release of her comeback single “Chewing Gum” in 2016, she is now an independent musician, self-producing her new releases. Most recently, she’s released “The Moments I’m Missing,” the first sneak peek of her upcoming sophomore album. We caught up with Nina to talk about her music, style and what the future holds.
Thank you! it’s basically the sonic version of my life up till now and all the key moments in it. I think nowadays we live in such a fast paced world and it’s hard to take everything in and appreciate the moments, so it’s also about recollecting memories that you’ve forgotten.
What was the inspiration behind the video?
It’s kinda like being trapped inside your own childhood. I wanted to find a way to merge the two worlds and I worked with a great director, Daniel Alexander Harris, to make this come to life.
It’s been over 3 years since my last album so to me it’s felt like a very gradual change, I’ve been writing songs more or less every day since. It’s still very lyrically focused but the sound around the words has definitely evolved to suit my own personal tastes. Pop music is forever changing, trends come and go and I like to experiment with the times. Moving to London has definitely opened my ears up to a lot more variety of sounds.
Your previous sound was a bit more rooted in acoustic and folk music, do you consider it to be your stepping stone to where you are now? Can fans expect a return down the line?
photo: Ed Whitmarsh / EUPH.I’ve been learning production for a few years now. It’s something I enjoy doing but it’s still early days. I self-produced a 5 track EP last year called Life In Colour and I wanted to try and take some of this into the new album. I love recording my own vocals because I can try crazy things and not feel self-conscious doing it. It’s definitely aided my writing. I found this huge sample database the night I wrote Moments and was so inspired by everything I was hearing, it really helped shape the song. I then finished the production and got one of my main collaborators, Jordan Riley, to finish it up and mix.Who are some artists that have inspired you?
Anyone that tells their own story through their music. I love Alanis, Lauryn Hill, Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon etc etc etc. It could be any genre, I don’t normally listen to grime but when I listened to the Stormzy album recently I was hooked, it was so honest and raw. That’s what makes something special for me.
To what extent, if any, does your personal style and look reflect your sound?
I’m quite “everyday” ha, I think my music is quite “everyday” too. There are definitely elements of the 90s too. My boyfriend says I dress like an “internet girl.”
photo: Ed Whitmarsh / EUPH.Whatever the newest song is, always!
What’s your stance on pop music today? Who would you consider to be the trailblazers?
I think pop music is at a really weird time where everything sounds the same with pitched vocals and drops BUT I think what’s amazing is how many secret writers and producers are getting the chance to release their music and be heard. And how many unsigned artists are just uploading their track to Spotify and going viral. I love the Julia Michaels’ mini album, she’s great. It feels like the control is coming back to the creators.
Michael Jackson, not cause I think I’d be a suitable support act, but more so I could watch his show every night.
What’s next? Any exciting plans for the rest of the year?
Little headline tour, finish the album, release the next single and plan some US and Europe trips!
If you had to live off one food, what would it be?
Nutella crepes
photo: Ed Whitmarsh / EUPH.