Interview with Natalie

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

Honestly, production got me into music before I knew what it was! Listening to Britney Spears and Nsync as a child, my mind was constantly trying to figure out how the synth stabs were created and what instrument they came from. My interest in dissecting sound became similar to a child's fascination with reverse engineering a magic trick they witnessed. It really became a lifelong obsession. If I hadn’t gotten into music I’m not even sure what I would do, probably something in film!

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

When I'm not in the studio, I'm working at my day job! Apart from that, going out is a huge influence on my music. It’s where I get a lot of my subject matter for my songs.

How long have you been making music?

• I started playing the guitar at 12 and producing at 13, so way too long.

Where are you based and how has that influenced your music?

• I am currently based in NYC and while the sounds of the city haven't entirely inspired me, the work ethic has. Now that everyone around me is working so hard, I am constantly trying to keep up!

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

• One of my most memorable shows was opening up for Asian Doll at the Knitting Factory. It was the first show that I really felt confident and excited on stage. It was also super cool to open for Trevor Daniel; I made so many awesome friends that I've been in touch with ever since. My latest show where I opened for Yury at Elsewhere was probably the funnest show I played, and Yury is super talented!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

• I really love playing Baby’s All Right in NYC!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the line up?

• Drake, Corbin f.k.a Spooky Black, and the Deftones.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

• When I started producing there wasn’t really any YouTube tutorials on how to produce, but I would tell anyone just starting out now, to watch as many tutorials as possible and to produce every single day.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

• Party less and to stop caring about what other people think.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

• Probably my least known song called The Hills. I wrote it after a pretty bad breakup and every time I listen to it, I am immediately transported back to that version of myself. It almost feels like I’m visiting an old and sad friend when I hear it.

What is your creative process for writing your music and what inspires you to write your music?

• I usually start by creating a melody or baseline, and arranging the bones of a track. I then hum a melody until words start to form. Once I have a few words I start working that into a story or experience I’ve had. After that I produce the rest of the track around the words I sing. For example in my new single Torment, in the hook I have a line “Every piece you take is like a bite,” and the snare is layered with someone biting into an apple. I like the production to feel like a call and response to the lyrics.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

• I really just write songs about my own personal experiences, a lot of these center around past relationships or disillusionment with society.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

• I am releasing more another single this year and an EP hopefully by Spring of 2023 so keep on the lookout!