Rising Amsterdam-based alt-pop artist Noha Saré returns with a bold new single ‘Head Held High’, offering a stark, positive message during these trying times.
Following on from the recent acclaimed tracks ‘All’ and ‘Lost’, ‘Head Held High’s hazy yet huge sound fuses immaculately with Noha’s subtle, ethereal tones.
She says: “This song is about not giving up and about revolt. Don’t let anybody ever tell you you’re not good enough or you can’t do it”.
Noha Saré stands out for her powerful, yet sensitive voice. Drawing on various genres, her music can not be classified into one specific category; Noha’s music tends to swing like her moods. She loves to play with contradictions in her personality and likes to dive into them and explore them. Both in her music and in the visuals that accompany it. She creates a soulful, authentic sound lined with elements of alternative R&B and electro pop. A bit of that with a theatrical edge on top.
What’s your story as an artist?
I grew up in a house surrounded by music. I’ve always been singing and playing with my brother, but I was a bit insecure as a teenager and I never thought releasing my own music was really an option. So I just sang songs from others. At some point I was in the studio singing some backings for someone else and then Tom Bachmann, the producer my brother and I are currently working with, said: “you should sing your own songs!!”. I think that was the turning point..
What inspired this last release?
It all started when my brother sent me a demo version of a beat with a bell motive (which the song starts with). This bell motive in combination with the rhythmic vocal line of the chorus gave me a brooding feeling and we wanted to expand that to the rest of the song.. I wanted the lyrics to be fierce and powerful.
Are you inspired by other art forms?
Yes definitely. I always try to find a way to fuse different art forms, so that they can reinforce each other. This is where the magic happens.
What’s your favorite place or environment to write?
My parent’s house. I need to feel 100% comfortable. That’s also why it’s such a blessing to have the opportunity to work with my brother.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
I would say Blonde by Frank Ocean and Life of Pablo by Kanye West.
Favorite artist at the moment?
This is so hard because I have a lot of favorites. But right now I listen a lot to James Blake and Jazmine Sullivan. And two of my favorite artists in my own country are Bea1991 and Cero Ismael.
Any future projects?
We are working towards our debut EP release (due February 2022). I don’t want to spoil too much but you can expect new visuals as well :). I can’t wait to put it out into the world.
What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?
We listen to a lot of different genres.. I guess, when we’re making music, we’re definitely influenced by them all, but our final production is translated into our own sound.
What does music and art mean to you?
For me it’s a way to turn my vulnerabilities into something powerful. In a way it makes me feel safe. And besides that, this feeling that you get when all of it comes together, the right sound, the right visuals.. for me that’s the most magical thing I’ve ever witnessed.
How would you describe your act in one?
I would say a beautiful sadness, with a theatrical edge.
