It’s somehow apt that I meet up-and-coming electronic folk star Nadine Carina in a cosy North West tearoom as, like a decent cuppa, her work is warming, reviving and never the same twice.
Born in Switzerland, but now resident oop north her music is both strange and strangely wonderful.
She’s small, charming and very friendly and flits between pop and more experimental work with the deft skills of a true artist.
So over a steaming brew MM caught up with the pint-sized starlet to chat about her fans, Swiss stereotypes and her ‘quirky’ label.
Growing up in Switzerland, what were your influences, And how did this affect your music?
‘I was always listening to music a lot and I watched a lot of Disney cartoons. The tunes are really strong, and these are my childlike influences.
“When you’re a child, things stay a lot in your mind when you grow up as it’s the strongest part of your life.
“I think this influenced me a lot… but then I grew up and listened to rock and punk, I started in music when I realised I wanted to write my own songs.
“Then I started in a school of music, and then everything started.”
You were soon given the ‘quirky’ label in the music industry, what did you make of that?
“When I came to England, everyone was saying this word and I had no idea! I went in the dictionary and found out, but I don’t class myself or my music as quirky.
“My music is experimental and dreamy – I like to dream.”
What inspires you creatively?
“I don’t really decide, ‘now I am going to write’ it just comes by itself especially when I’m travelling; it mostly comes out on the train.
“I just write what I feel, If I can feel it can be a song, it will be a song.
“I don’t force the writing process but when I go into my home studio I work on it from there.”
The stereotypical image of Switzerland is white chocolate and cuckoo clocks, but what does your home country mean to you?
“Switzerland is like Wales and Norway. I feel like when I’m in Switzerland, I love the quiet and feel more peaceful. But most of my ideas come when I’m here.
“In Switzerland there aren’t so many people doing music so when I am back home I feel like I’m doing something different and I like that.”
What’s your typical fan like?
“Maybe just people looking for new music as there are a lot of people out there looking for something different.
“They like discovering new artists like me, something that is new and undiscovered.”
And on that note Nadine smiles, says goodbye and heads home to work on some new tracks.
The homely beauty of Nadine Carina’s music is guaranteed to captivate listeners desperate for something a little different.
Put the kettle on, settle down and have a listen. You’ll thank me for it.
Video and image courtesy of Shondel Bervini via YouTube, with thanks
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