NINA aka Nina Boldt has joined forces with electro-rock producer Radio Wolf aka Oliver Blair to create this single which is out now.
‘Carnival Night’ is the start of a new era for NINA where she marks down her independence after departing from her previous record label. Her lyrics draw us into a carnival dreamscape—a spellbinding place of moonlight, shadows and vertiginous abandon.
‘Carnival Night’ is the follow up single to NINA’s previous three major albums. The first of which ‘Sleepwalking’ was praised by critics and ‘Synthwave’ / ‘Retrowave’ aficionados, earning her the affectionate nickname, “The Queen Of Synthwave”. Her hit single ‘My Mistake’ was used for a Mercedes TV advert, which aired across Europe and was also featured in Hugo Boss and Adidas adverts, gaining her a spot in the Shazam Charts at #6. NINA’s second album ‘Synthian’ jumped to #1 on the Electronic Album Charts on iTunes in Canada while her third album ”Control (feat. LAU)” was released as an EP via Lakeshore Records and features samples from Cliff Martinez’ ”Drive” film score.
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I’ve been singing since I was young but always wanted to create my own sound; mixing elements of nostalgia, futurism and cinematic pop music. Between 2011 and 2016 I collaborated with various artists who contributed to production, writing and live performance. The sound we created got me the attention of the Synthwave scene, particularly the YouTube channel/record label New Retro Wave. This exposure helped me gain a bigger following along with the nickname “The Queen Of Synthwave”. I have now released 2 LP’s, 4 EP’s and 10 Singles through various record labels including Lakeshore Records, who released my latest EP “Control”, which features samples from Cliff Martinez’ “Drive” film score. I’m now working with artists such as Ricky Wilde, Kid Moxie and Radio Wolf, as I explore new ideas and strive to create a bigger sound.
How would you describe the highs and lows of being an artist?
As an independent artist, I have to deal with all the administrative and business related aspects of the job. I find it difficult, because it’s really not my area of speciality, but I do my best.
I’m in my element when I’m writing songs, working with producers I admire and performing to my beloved fans. Anything to do with creativity, I’m in heaven.
What’s a musical guilty pleasure of yours?
I never feel guilty about music.
What are some sources of inspiration for you?
80’s New Wave music, horror movies, ghost stories, Jim Morrison, David Lynch, film scores, electronic music, rock’n roll and romance
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Freddie Mercury. He always stayed true to himself, which inspired me and I believe he was larger than life.
Favorite activity to blow off some steam?
I watch Thrillers and play hide and seek with my cat “Kimba”.
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about?
I wrote “Carnival Night” with electro-rock producer Oliver Blair aka Radio Wolf, who at the time was in Northern Ireland, while I was in Berlin. It was during the pandemic lockdown and I was craving an escape. I told him I’d love to write a song about being at a Carnival and how the experience can make you feel dizzy, while at the same time make you forget about the “real world” for a while. He felt very inspired and sent back a detailed instrumental track the following morning. When I heard it, I loved it right away and started recording my ideas. Both of us are big fans of horror movie scores, so we wanted to give it an eerie atmosphere. We sent melodies, lyrics and sounds back and forth to make the song what it is now – a spellbinding escape story.
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
I don’t really have a concrete method. My creative process and anxieties can be mysterious. Sometimes I have to let everything run its course, other times I experiment and try something new. Also, my cat is known to have healing powers.
What’s the future looking like for you?
I’m excited about what I’m working on right now. I’m writing a lot with Ricky Wilde and I’ve just finished recording in the studio with Kid Moxie. My latest endeavour is a special collaboration project with Radio Wolf. NINA Vol. 3 is also in the works, as I have big plans for my new live line-up. It’s gonna be the best yet.
What inspires your visuals, videos, looks etc?
I love retro pop culture… movie posters, album covers, arcade games, neon lights, carnivals. They all play a role.
What is the most embarrassing memory and most proud moment of your career so far?
I remember playing a show in Germany a few years back. It was my first ever NINA show in my home city and a lot of my friends and family came. We had this grand intro into my performance and the audience went crazy. Everyone was really hyped when I came on stage. But the moment I started to sing, the sound cut off completely and everything went dark. It took forever for the sound to come back and I cracked jokes and sang songs “a capella” style, it was pretty embarrassing.
My proudest moment is a tricky one. I have a few… Holding my debut album “Sleepwalking” on vinyl for the first time was pretty amazing. I’m also particularly proud of my latest Single “Carnival Night”. It’s a completely independent production between Radio Wolf and I, and I feel we created a unique sonic world that is very different from my previous work.
My newest upcoming song “Gone Away” is particularly special to me, because it’s a very personal story about loss and I feel like it came from the deepest, saddest part of my heart. Recording the final vocals in the studio was difficult, after already recording an emotional demo. I had to revisit all of the tragic memories and feelings that inspired the song. I overcame my heartache and fear, which is particularly significant, because the lyrics address pride and freedom. It was a liberating experience.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I used to suffer from stage fright and would feel very ill days before a show. A friend of mine once told me to embrace my nerves and that I needed them in order to be the best that I can be. He said “they’re like little humans pushing you further and making you strong”. It really stuck and became my mantra.
Where do you think the music and entertainment industry is headed after this past year?
My hope is that everybody will experience live music again very soon and that the lockdown has inspired new ideas. I’m excited to dance into the night with my Synthians.
