Interview: 5 minutes with… Nessi
German newcomer Nessi is supporting Babyshambles on their German tour this winter. It seems like an odd pairing, since Pete Doherty’s stumbling trainwreck of a show sits rather at odds with her refined indie pop/electronica. All exposure is good exposure though, so they say. Let’s hope Pete and the gang aren’t too lairy for the vulnerable songstress. We caught up with her for five minutes.
Hi there, how are you and what are you up to today?
Hi! I’m very well, thanks. Today is my day off and I don’t have anything planned yet, apart from eating lots of food and replying to your questions!
To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?
I think it is quite hard to put your finger on. If I had to I would say it is a mix of pop, indie and electronica.
What are the 5 albums and artists that have influenced you the most?
That’s an easy one!
1. XO – Elliott Smith
2. Futures – Jimmy Eat World
3. Nevermind – Nirvana
4. Disintegration – The Cure
5. For Emma Forever Ago – Bon Iver
What other artists do you really like at the moment and why?
I’ve been listening to Sampha a lot. A great artist who has worked with other musicians that I really like, for example SBTRKT and Jessie Ware. He’s got an amazing voice and is an amazing writer and musician. Other artists that I listen to a lot at the moment are Oddisee, The National, Bonobo and James Blake.
What are some of the key pieces of gear you use to write your tracks?
Pen and Paper.
What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?
The next one, cause I haven’t done it yet.
What’s the worst gig you have ever done and why?
Unless all of your gear breaks and a thunderstorm blows the stage away, I don’t think there are bad gigs.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
I told my mum at the age of about 5 that I wanted to become a model or a singer. Since I’m not tall and skinny enough to be a model I think I have to stick with singing.
What are your thoughts on the following music genres?
Classical:
I used to listen to a lot of classical music when I was younger, I didn’t understand it, I just liked it. My favourite classical artists would be Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and Bach. Contemporary artists such as Ludovico Einaudi fascinate me – I am currently all over his record “Divenire”.
Blues:
I don’t know too much about Blues, but I love “King of the Delta Blues” by Robert Johnson.
Soul:
I’ll try to only name a few, but there’s so many amazing soul artists and too little (especially of the contemporary ones) are known: Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and more recent Bilal, TLC, Erykah Badu, Ashanti.
Hip-Hop:
I’ve always listened to a lot of hip-hop. Most people wouldn’t believe that when I first properly started to listen to music as a teen, I just listened to hip hop. To name a few of my favourite artists: Wu Tang Clan, Nas, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique. I have recently discovered amazing newer hip hop artists, such as Ghostpoet, Oddissee, Cecil Otter and Sage Francis.
Folk:
I’m not really into folk in the traditional sense, but I love folky singer-songwriters such as one of my main influences Elliott Smith. Amazing lyrics and a raw unique vibe in his songs.
Dubstep:
I don’t have a huge knowledge of dubstep – same as for trap music, I’ve only just touched the surface. Certain parts I’ve heard I found very intriguing. Artists like Bristol-based Kahn, 16 Bit who has remixed Little Dragon’s “Twice” for example, SBTRKT’s older releases, Phaeleh (who may not be considered a dubstep artist nowadays).
Trap:
I’m only just getting into trap music, since it’s not really that well known in Germany yet. I really like Hudson Mohawke and Lunice. I think “Satin Panthers” was one of my most listened to records in 2013.
Do you have any information regarding upcoming releases, projects, DJ mixes or collaborations in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I am releasing my EP “twentythreeyears” on the 14th February 2014. The pre-order for it is already up on iTunes.
