Following on from the release of her highly-praised debut album last year, Tasmanian-born singer and songwriter Nuria is already planning her next body of work as she returns with her latest single 'All We Dreamed'.
Channelling a broad and atmospheric texture throughout, 'All We Dreamed' makes for a beautifully wistful comeback. Using a subtle blend of rich production and soaring instrumentation, alongside her vibrant vocal performance, it feels like things are only beginning to get started for this fast-rising artist.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I can truthfully say it was the piano. I started playing it before my feet could reach the pedals and begged my mum and dad for lessons. My first song was ‘Mary had a little lamb’ - then I got tired of baby music and taught myself to play ‘Fur Elise’.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My home life was always filled with a combination of mum’s taste and dad’s taste - Ice House, Queen, Enya and Eva Cassidy (no surprise not in that order). I learnt to play every Enya song on the piano when I was little, and Eva Cassidy continues to feature in my adult repertoire regularly!
What was the first album you remember owning?
My first CD was the Cranberries. I still love it. My big brother gave it to me and I felt so sophisticated. I then quickly drifted into the realm of the ultimate pop queens, I’m not gonna lie - Britney Spears, Shania Twain, Mandy Moore etc.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Hallelujah. There are so many facets to this wandering ballad. The imagery and hidden meanings are absolute poetry and the musical movements reflect the story in a way that is sophisticated and understated but so completely captivating. Its such an unusual song, so unique but so timeless. One of the most covered songs ever - each version is new and unexpected and an absolute pleasure to hear and to play.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not really! Time is so precious that if there is space to write I don’t muck about with anything other than getting to the music. I can lose myself for hours in songwriting.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m listening to a lot of Valis Alps and Gracie Abrams at the moment. I love Valis Alps for the strengths in their instrumental work, I don’t listen to the lyrics a lot to be truthful but become completely absorbed by the sound of the music alone. Gracie Abrams on the other hand has a storytelling ability that totally grabs me. I feel like I could be in her bedroom hearing the latest romantic conundrum. Her stories are relatable and honest and sit so perfectly within the gentle arrangements of the production.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to open a show for Ed Sheeran. Aside from wanting to watch him from side stage be the absolute superstar that he is, I’d love some green room time to get to know this curious cat. There’s something so understated and boy-next-door-ish about him that fascinates me. Red hair, glasses and the ridiculously cool British accent factor had me straight away. I’d like to hear more stories about the rolling English countryside and his adolescent debauchery. I think he’d be an absolute hoot.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being a songwriter is one of the few times in my life where I find myself grateful that I’m such a complicated creature. It gets tiring at other times but provides a bottomless pit of writing material with all the self doubt, questioning and weird perspectives. And when I transform a painful or shitty situation into a song it makes the whole thing feel worthwhile - so long as the song is alright.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Keeping up with the self promotion required to try to get my music out into the world. I’m not tough enough for the cruel game at times, I wish I could just write the songs and the rest of it would take care of itself!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t try to please everybody. There will always be people who don’t like the music. But there will also probably be someone who does. I get very focused on rejections and don’t take much notice of the positives and need to constantly remind myself of this. But when someone tells me something I’ve written has resonated with them it is an incredible feeling.
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Nuria's new single 'All We Dreamed' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.