In Conversation with niina
[UNPUBLISHED:] What was the process of like creating it?
[NIINA:] I realized after that for every track of this EP I was either isolated or in a lockdown so I’d probably describe the process as lonely. Each track came from a different scenario but looking back the music came from being forced into a place where I could do nothing but make music to escape from my thoughts and feelings at the time.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Do you have a favorite song off of the EP?
[NIINA:] I feel like this is like having a favorite child, it’s impossible to say because each track has its own identity and meaning to me but I would say that writing fragile was the most cathartic experience.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What did you do to celebrate the release?
[NIINA:] To celebrate, I worked on some new tunes.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I know the EP is centered around female empowerment, what do you do to make yourself feel empowered?
[NIINA:] Writing music is the only thing that really connects me to myself at this point in time, I’m sure there will be other things to come in the future I just haven’t discovered them yet.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Why do you think it's important to be empowered as a woman in the music industry?
[NIINA:] I think the music industry has come such a long way in comparison to what it used to be like but it still has a bit to go. it’s hard to shake certain stereotypes of what a female artist should be but I think being empowered allows us as individuals to thrive and find the identity and space that’s right for us.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What do you think needs to change in the music industry in order to make it a space where more women feel empowered?
[NIINA:] Honestly, just more opportunity, more opportunity to learn, more opportunity to feel valued, more opportunity to feel like you’re moving and discovering and I want that for everyone, not just women.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you want your audience to feel when they listen to this EP?
[NIINA:] I would love for people to feel connected with themselves when listening to the EP. I would love nothing more than if the EP inspired any kind of self-discovery or self-love.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you think your sound has evolved since your first started making music?
[NIINA:] I would say it’s a lot less messy than it used to be. I used to just chuck sound on sound to create a wall of messy dreaminess. I still do this but in sections using fewer tracks to achieve the sound I’m looking for.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Where do you find inspiration when it comes to creating music?
[NIINA:] This sounds like a cop-out but just about everything. I could be walking down the street and recording the melody of someone's speech or by the beach at night recording the flag pole rattling (this did happen, it sounded terrible) but my point is that there are so many constant influences that come before sitting down and writing something that it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the inspiration comes from.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Are there any artists you currently look up to? If so, who?
[NIINA:] Just off the top of my head in the mood, I’m in right now - Caroline Polachek, Shygirl, Madonna, Charli XCX, Greentea Peng. I just love anyone that feels like a real artist through and through, anyone that feels like they live and breathe their art in their everyday life. This feels like a familiar space for me to immerse myself in.
[UNPUBLISHED:] If you could feature anyone on this album, who would they be, and which song would you feature them on?
[NIINA:] That’s a very good question that I’m really struggling to find the answer to as all the tracks are already what they are… it would be pretty sick to do a remake of “miss u” with a troop of female artists listed above.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How has being located in London influenced your sound?
[NIINA:] When I first moved to London, it was a real game changer, I hadn’t really experienced dance music properly before then, and immersing myself in a more underground scene is how niina was born.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What are you all currently listening to right now?
[NIINA:] Today I am listening to Paolo Nutini’s new album Last Night in the Bittersweet as well as Beshken’s new album Pantomime.
