Nectar Woode is a name you'll be hearing a lot more of, and for good reason. Her latest single, 'LOSE', is a vibrant testament to her evolving sound and a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. This track offers a tantalising glimpse into her upcoming EP, 'it's like I never left', set to drop on 18th July. It’s clear from the outset that Nectar isn't just crafting catchy tunes; she's weaving a rich narrative of identity and heritage, firmly cementing her place as an artist with something truly meaningful to say.
'LOSE' was born during Nectar's inaugural trip to her father's homeland of Ghana earlier this year – a transformative experience that profoundly connected her with a new community and an abundant wellspring of inspiration. The track itself is a fantastic fusion of influences, drawing from the traditional sounds of Ebo Taylor while embracing the abstract genius of Ghanaian collective SuperJazzClub.
Recently, we caught up with Nectar to chat about her musical beginnings, the inspirations behind her unique sound, and what we can expect from her exciting new EP.
It’s so great to be able to catch up with you, thanks for taking the time to answer some of our questions. Let’s dig right into things, when did you first start making music?
“Thanks for having me! So, I’ve always been singing/performing from a very early age and my mum tells me that I wrote my first song at age of 3.”
What inspired you to start your journey into music?
“Just being exposed to soo many different genres of music from Highlife to Reggae to Motown to Soul/R&B - I was always intrigued by music and the creative expression and when I was 15 I picked up the guitar and started to teach myself after being influenced by Lauryn Hill’s MTV unplugged.”
What influences most define your music?
“All the genres that I mentioned previously definitely still inform the music that I make today! I really just digested my parent’s music taste to be honest.“
I absolutely adore the new single and the sound you’ve been creating in recent releases. How would you describe your sound?
“Summery, singer-songwriter, warm soul sounds.”
Can you tell us a bit more about ‘LOSE’ and what fans can expect from the upcoming ‘it’s like i never left’ EP?
“So ‘LOSE’ is very different for me, I wanted to go outside the box for this one and just collab in a different way. When making this song with Superjazzclub we really just let loose and let the rhythm guide our melody choices and the structure of the song.”
“My new EP is all about self-discovery and me finding out more about my identity being from dual heritage and all the emotions that come from that. Being able to travel to my motherland of Ghana for the first time and collaborate with Superjazzclub was definitely the centre of this EP and the title comes from the emotion I felt when I came back… it’s like I never left.”
What was your songwriting process for ‘LOSE’? How did it all come together?
“When making this song with Superjazzclub we really just let loose and let the rhythm guide our melody choices and the structure of the song. Like I said above, we just let out instincts run with this one and didn’t overthink anything; we wanted it to feel as authentic as possible to the rhythm and the crowd vocals. Also being in Ghana was a dream finishing this song, we had great energy and there was constant vibes surrounding us being in Ghana.”
What’s the most important thing for you when you’re writing a song?
“Honesty. I want to be as transparent as possible with my music, I think that’s the best way for an audience to feel when listening to your work.”
What’s next for you as an artist, besides the EP, is there anything we should be on the lookout for?
“Ooo, well I have a bunch of festivals this summer so looking forward to playing Glastonbury so much!”
Do you have anything you would like to say to our audience?
“Thanks so much for reading and listening! Hope you enjoy the EP x”
As Nectar continues to captivate audiences with her mesmerising live performances and deeply personal musical explorations, it’s clear she’s an artist who is truly coming into her own. From her earliest days of songwriting to her recent, transformative trip to Ghana, Nectar Woode’s journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery and the rich tapestry of heritage. With her new EP, 'it's like I never left', she invites us all to join her on this incredibly honest and heartfelt adventure, solidifying her place as a distinctive and powerful voice in contemporary music.
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