Q: Hi Nadia! I love your song, “Friends U Couldn’t Keep.” Your vocals, meaningful lyrics, and catchy beat all go together seamlessly. Can you walk me a bit through the creative process of this track?
NADIA VAEH: I wanted to write a song that sonically embodied, the sadness, anger, pain and the beauty that is a friendship breakup. The beauty of saying goodbye is the empowerment and self-respect that grows in doing so. It’s certainly not easy to walk away from people who mistreat you!! Sometimes it really takes a big ole f youuu, f this!!!! I won’t be treated like shit anymore.
Q: From the lyrics, I assume this single is about someone who hurt you. What was the inspiration behind “Friends U Couldn’t Keep”?
NADIA: oh yesss, this is absolutely a real life account of two friendships who just didn’t treat me right and when I would stand up for myself, I would get gaslit.
Q: Do you remember when you first fell in love with music and knew it was what you wanted to do?
NADIA: I was probably 1 years old when I fell in love with music, but it really hit me around age 7 that music was what I was going to do with my life! I was singing some N’SYNC in my room and I just remember the act of singing feeling so good and so right. Suddenly, my Aunt popped up and proclaimed that I was really good. I didn’t realize that anyone could hear me as I was very shy about my singing. When I found that others might experience joy from me making music, I thought, maybe this could be my thing!!!
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve received about the music industry, and how has it helped you navigate your journey so far?
NADIA: Play the long game!! Have an 18-month plan and celebrate incremental growth, no matter how small. The industry and social media moves so fast, it can be easy to get bogged down in thoughts of “not enough”. Being consistent and steady has helped me stay out of that frame of mind and keep creative!
Q: Jumping off the last question, what advice would you give to other up-and-coming artists?
NADIA: Grow relationships with other artists. This journey can be a lonely one, but working with other creatives on the come up will make it a thousand times more fun, and you can grow your communities together!
Q: Who would you most like to collaborate with, if it could be anyone in the world?
NADIA: I adore Pink! She is such a power house and she truly has a song for everyone, about every topic you could think of. I would be honored to create with her!!!
Q: I love your music because it has something for everyone; I would call it “easy listening.” In your own words, how would you describe the music that you typically create?
NADIA: omg thank you! I really appreciate that and in regards to the last question, that is one of the main reasons I love pink! I really strive to make music for all! I want anyone who puts on my discography to feel known!! I would describe my music as “poptimistic”:) it’s music that is about the very real struggles and pain body’s we face daily in this life, but we are sonically transmuting them into beauty and hope.
Q: Thanks for speaking with me! Tell everyone reading what’s coming up next for you.
NADIA: TONS of new music is on the way!! Count on a new single every month over the next year. Songs about everything you can think of! You can now presave my October single called “Trauma Bond”, dropping Friday, October, 13th!: symphony.to/nadi…a-bond
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
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