Nina Smith is a TK-based RnB pop singer-songwriter whose latest EP reached #4 on the RnB iTunes chart. Nina has already supported artists such as Belinda Carlise, Finley Quaye and Alicia Dixon and has recorded sessions at Maida Vale studios broadcast on Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
After signing a production deal with producer Yoad Nevo (Sia, Goldfrap, Sugababes) Nina has had songs written by her for other artists performed to ‘millions’ of people.
Her debut album White Feather is set to be released 2018.
Hear “White Boards” by Nina Smith:
Girl Gang Music got to do an exclusive Q&A with Nina:
GGM: What was the moment of inspiration behind this record?
NS: “Well, my album is actually a collection of songs that explore fear.. personal fears, but ones that are relatable. This song in particular talks about my experience within the British education system. I didn’t want it to be all doom and gloom though, and that’s why I felt a chorus lift was appropriate, one where I express my own path of discovery and the taking control of my life by suggesting that ‘I decide to breathe’.”
GGM: What was the moment you knew you wanted to pursue music?
NS: “I grew up in Nottingham, (East Midlands) U.K in the 90’s. And back then we used to play outside a lot. Some of them moments very often included myself and a group of girls making up dance routines and singing along to a portable CD player, usually the spice girls or Backstreet Boys. These are the moments as a 10-year old I knew I wanted to be a professional singer.”
GGM: You’ve obviously found huge songwriting success. Love love love your sound What’s the key to good songwriting?
NS: “Collaboration. There are lots of songwriting books, and youtube videos on how to do it. But I genuinely believe in a good old-fashioned collaboration with a few other songwriters. Sharing and observing other peoples processes have provided me with some of the techniques when writing songs.”
GGM: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
NS: “I have an unidentical twin sister. She’s non musical, way more academic than me and I’m 20 minutes older than her.”
GGM: What’s your one piece of advice you’d give to any young artist just getting started out there?
NS: “It’s all about the songs. Anyone can wear a shit load of make-up, put on a bangin outfit and sing a song that’s manufactured to fit the times… but writing a good, timeless song (successful or not) that people can relate to and feel the emotion from, is a gift that is unreplaceable.”
GGM: Do you think being a woman in the music industry has affected your career? If so, how?
“Generally, on a whole, no. However, within more personal situations, yes. I find that some men in the industry want to help me with my career to attempt to get me into bed. Or at least sometimes I’d get the impression they were more into ‘me’ than my music. I remember an incident with where I was specifically and very obviously meeting with someone to discuss business. And they said it was a date during or after (I can’t remember specifics)… either way, I was pretty creeped out.”
Check out more from Nina on Instagram and Twitter here:
https://twitter.com/NinaSmithMusic/status/968828310838005761