What can I say about NINA… well, let’s just start with the obvious. She is gorgeous. There, I said it! But she has more than just good looks. This lady also has some incredible pipes. She has been featured on some of the biggest tracks in electronic dance music, and is gearing up to tour around the globe singing all her original tracks. I can’t get enough of her, and I am always looking forward to her next single. Speaking of singles, her latest single Take Me Away is just tearing up the charts. There are several remixes of this track too, and I can’t decide if I like some of these remixes more than the original. Anyway, NINA is great and it was a treat sitting and chatting with her. But rather than listen to me talk about how great she is, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to NINA. I will let her tell you how great she is! NINA, take it away!
You’re from Berlin but now live in London right?
I’m originally from Berlin, yes. I’m now living in London. I moved to London 4 years ago. Although Berlin will always have a place in my heart, I really have fallen for London and I want to stay for as long as possible.
Tell me about your relationship with Aztec Records.
Laura and Ariel found me online. They liked my style and we clicked straight away. We’ve become great friends that support each other in every way. I love that they give me freedom to grow as an artist without trying to change me.
So Take Me Away is an incredible track. There are also a ton of remixes of that song. Do you like any of the remixes more than the original mix?
I guess the original version is my favorite, but I love all of the remixes. Every one of them has its own unique sound. Disco Damage, for example, slowed the whole track down and added some extra vocals and gave it a soft melodic touch, which I love. And TNTT made it sound a bit more pop but quite epic at the same time, which works great with my vocals. It’s great to hear what each producer can bring to the table.
I love your voice. Have you always had such incredible vocals?
Thank you! I’m glad you like it. I remember singing to Mariah Carey every day and recording it when I was a young girl. My voice wasn’t fully developed then but I kept practicing. I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could be a good singer if I wanted to be.
Who writes all of your lyrics? Who wrote the lyrics for Take Me Away?
Laura Fares wrote the music and we wrote the lyrics together. I want to write more with her in the future, as she’s amazingly talented.
Your first tour was with Jeanette Biedermann. You were 18 years old, if I’m not mistaken. What was that experience like? What did you learn while on the road at such a young age?
Yes, that’s right. It was the most amazing experience, really. It’s quite an early age to be performing at stadiums, so I had to grow up quite quickly in that sense, but I loved every single lesson I have learnt on the way.
What’s on your iPod? Who are some of your favorite performers?
At the moment I love listening to Nero, Saint Saviour and Amy LaVere. There are so many great new artists at the moment, it’s hard to chose a favorite.
You are also a model. Do you prefer being a model or singing?
I’m a singer at heart and I see modelling more like a hobby. I love fashion and photography and I guess it’s all kind of connected but I’m more passionate about music.
You are all over Facebook and Twitter. How do you have time to keep all of these social media sites straight? Do you like any one social media site more than the next?
I mainly stick to Facebook and Twitter. I think last year I’ve become of a bit of a Twitter addict, which has changed now. I don’t think it’s healthy to share every single thought with the public. But I do like the random tweet now and then, and to keep fans updated of what’s going on.
Lee Roberts has shot you before. Do you have one photographer that you lean towards, or does that really matter?
Most photographers I’ve worked with in the past I really look up to. Lee Roberts was incredibly sweet and professional at the same time, same as Tomas Hein who shot my artwork. I do think it is important to have good energy on set, as it affects your movement in front of the camera and if you’re uncomfortable, it will show in your photos.
What’s next for you? Take Me Away just came out, but is there an album in the works? Perhaps a tour?
We’re working on my second single at the moment, which will be a pop/electro ballad. It’s a very personal song and it means a lot to me, so I’m very excited to be releasing it. I’m also preparing myself for upcoming shows in the new year. I really can’t wait for it all to happen.
When you do a photo shoot, do you let the photographer dress you and style your hair, or is that all up to you?
It’s much better to have a professional team on set (stylist, make up artist, etc). I’ve done it myself in the past but a professional can do a much better job, so why not let him/her do it. They are all art forms in their own right, so I let them express themselves in my shoots.
Being on Aztec Records probably makes it easy to work with other artists on the same label. Have you ever worked with any of the other artists?
I haven’t but I would love to. We’ve become a big family and everyone is a great inspiration. It would be great to collaborate with a few Aztec artists… we’ll see!
What would you be doing if you were not modeling and were not singing songs?
Acting I guess. I have had some acting roles in the past and I really enjoyed it.
Where can I buy a copy of Take Me Away?
You can get that on iTunes, Beatport, Amazon and all other major online stores.
Some call it electronic dance music. Others call it pop. But what do you call it? Is it possible to describe your genre in one word?
I like to call it electro/pop with dance elements.
I feel like I could ask you questions all day. I want to thank you for taking the time to sit with me and talk more about your recent endeavors. In all of the interviews I do, I always let the artist have the last word. Go.
Always stay true to yourself. And thank you Ricky!
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