Nina Nesbitt Interview - Shropshire Star/Native Monster
I was lucky enough to interview Nina Nesbitt ahead of her tour kicking off in Birmingham on the 4th May 2016 after her two year singing hiatus.
The piece was published in the Shropshire Star's entertainment pull-out and is also available to read on Native Monster: http://nativemonster.com/music/bands-and-gigs/gig-reviews/interview-nina-nesbitt-talks-her-and-her-fans-fans-growing-up-together-at-the-same-time
Check out the full interview below:
Thick mist hides the gum covered streets of Central London and the echoing sounds of black cabs honk through the heart of the city. Mutters from herds of commuters and tourists are complaining about congestion, using their elbows as weapons to push through and down the eroding steps into the dark tube station. The stale smell of who knows what lingers and bright-eyed, sweet talking Scottish lass Nina Nesbitt is placed at the core of it all.
Transforming from 17 year old singer-songwriter from a small village outside of Edinburgh, Nina Nesbitt has grown into a 21 year old living and loving the capital city lifestyle. Nesbitt 2.0 has left her old acoustic guitar to gather dust, cut her hair short and has adapted an “I don’t care” maturity.
She’s blond, she’s back and she’s ‘a made up mess in a backless dress’. Nina Nesbitt may have had a two-year hiatus but her Modern Love EP is a five-song compilation of electronic-pop goodness. Taking residence in central London with pals has certainly left Nesbitt’s young, folk releases back in the Scottish Highlands. She’s mature, courageous and sassier than ever.
Feline winged eyeliner, pink bubble-gum stained lip-gloss and hints of soft-grunge have left Nesbitt fierce and vivacious.
“I’ve grown up and had a lot more creative freedom. London has definitely influenced the sound and subjects.” Says Nina.
“It’s exciting and buzzing but also gritty and I think this has shaped the music a lot.”
Although still peeking into adulthood, Nesbitt signed to Island Records in 2012 which led to sold out tours, a charting first album Peroxide and collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran. Since moving to London, Nina has grabbed the gear stick and taken full control over her latest EP, Modern Love. After recording 2 versions of latest single Chewing Gum, one was self-produced at her home studio – ‘Niightwatch’.
Radio 1 championed latest release Chewing Gum earlier this year and the single leaves a taste which is everlasting, refreshed synth-pop with husky but sexy vocals describing the common occurrences of a modern relationship. Electronic hook ‘you think that I’m the one but baby I’m just chewing gum until the flavour’s gone’ is club ready as she oozes seductiveness. Nina is teasing, alluring but confident. Killer lyrics meets catchy, clap-along beats can only lead to one thing… strutting through onto the dancefloor with attitude ‘screaming romance isn’t dead’.
Whilst Chewing Gum’s Niightwatch version is raw, ripped back and highlights Nesbitt’s raspy vocals rising surely above acoustic riffs which guide the demo. Still deliciously contagious, Nesbitt explains that she’s had her home studio for 3/4 years and Niightwatch started as a little side project.
“I’ve always played around with it in the background until it was releasable quality, it was for me to have fun with privately and then I started making more and then Nina Nesbitt kind of merged with that sound and it just became me.” Nina says.
“I love it though, I do it almost every day. I’m determined to get good at it so one day I can write and produce all my own music. I like the idea of being able to make whatever sounds I have in my head come to life and the way you only need to rely on yourself is great.”
Modern Love clearly utilises Nesbitt’s growth as both becoming an independent woman and as an artist. Although the EP is just a short snippet on what Nesbian’s across the globe can expect from the forthcoming album, it sure does leave you wanting that strawberry hubba bubba gum taste to last.
“I want every album to be different and for people to feel like they are discovering a new artist.” Nina explains.
“Each album is its own special thing and it would be wrong of me to try and replicate it again with the same feel.”
Masquerade is another Niightwatch gem featured on Modern Love. Although miles away from 2014’s Peroxide single Selfies and fan favourite Stay Out, Masquerade marks Nesbitt’s stand-out track. There’s layers to the substance and the lyrics tell more than just a typical break-up ballad. Gentle, moody but haunting, Masquerade is beautifully poetic and emotionally moving as two lovers are struggling to show each other their true selves ‘Did we fall in love in the middle of, the middle of a masquerade?’
It’s clear that Nina see’s lyrics as being one of the most powerful forms of expression as Take You to Heaven is sublime and transcendent. Lyrically, Nina is longing for her other half to take her away in the tenderest of ways.
“Lyrics are my favourite thing for sure.
“I love lyrics that put an image in my head or say things that I would find hard to put in to words” Nina says.
When the conversation moves on to the music industry Nina confesses that she only focusses on the music and the fans,
“I think I’ve pretty much been through everything you could experience from the industry behind the scenes.
“It’s quite a shocking place.” Nina confesses.
“Without sounding bitter and jaded, I just keep myself to myself and focus on the most important thing. The artist is the one putting music out, the fans are the ones consuming, and that’s enough of an industry for me.”
Lady Gaga has her ‘Little Monsters’, Bieber has his ‘Beliebers’ and Nina Nesbitt has her ‘Nesbians’, conquering internet memes since 2012. Entering the digital age and world of Instagram, Nina reminisces on the funny edits of herself which she comes across,
“There are so many funny ones. I love the ones that have captions and me cut out as a mermaid or something!”
With many of Nina’s Nesbian’s standing strong with her since the debut of her career, the majority of them too will be heading out to new cities on adventures or for university. Modern Love doesn’t just mark the growth of Nina, but the introduction to adulthood for the Nesbian’s too.
“A lot of people were worried about my new music because they though my young audience wouldn’t relate, but I think some people don’t understand that your fans are actually growing up at the same time as you which is pretty cool.” Nina continues.
“It’s like you can do that growing up journey together and you can help soundtrack it for them.”
When Nesbitt was 18 and singing about being naive in love and staying out with boys in ‘checkered shirts and chino trousers’ but the tang of her new album is sure to mark the start of a new era for her and her fans. Although yet to be recorded, Nina has worked closely with Dan Lancaster (5 Seconds of Summer, Lower than Atlantis, Don Broco) and Fred Ball (Jessie Ware, Little Mix, Madonna) on the new album.
“I’m really proud of it so far. The songs are just so much better than the first album and sonically I’m really happy with it too.
“Writing with Dan was great, he has made me think in a new way, he always thinks outside the box.
“I’ve learnt a lot of production things watching them both too.”
It’s still pretty much under-wraps as to when the album is out but if our Scottish girl can get her winged eyeliner perfect, we know it’s going to be great. Modern Love shows Nina in her full glory; bold, fierce and damn right smoking. She might’ve been off the radar for the past couple of years but she’s back with Chewing Gum which is sure to get you working your moves in the club.
“I’ve learnt that yourself and your music keeps changing all the time, you’ve just got to go with it!” Nina says.
* Nina Nesbitt will be kick-starting her May tour in Birmingham at the O2 Institute 2 on Wednesday 4th May.
* Modern Love EP is available on Spotify and Apple Music now.
