Nadine Loren Interview

Thanks to Nadine for answering these questions:

What can we expect to see from you over the next year?
Lots of live shows, some collaborations and some remixes by Paul Oakenfold.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?
Take every opportunity to play live, it’ll make you a better artist. Also, you can’t ignore the business side of the music industry – no one is going to care about your career as much as you do, so you will always have to do at least 95% of the work!

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?
Probably Dave Dobbyn, Greg Johnson, Bic Runga and Anika Moa because they all immediately transport me back to great times I had in NZ when I lived there!

What will your next release be?
Definitely my own songs – not sure of the final flavor yet, I’m writing a ton at the moment but I’ll have to wait and see what reaction I get when I try them out on unsuspecting audiences!

How do you come up with your lyrics?
The trials and tribulations of living in a huge city always provides a deep inspiration pool for songs!  And the wild and wacky personalities of LA and NYC certainly add some flavor too!

How do you believe you fit into the NZ music industry?
I hope to bring a different perspective, since I have a pretty international background, but as a proud Kiwi, I do try and keep that organic approach to songwriting that I think is always present in NZ music – it provides a certain honesty that I love.

What can you never leave home without?
Sunscreen – my Mom’s a Melanographer.

How do you describe your music?
Eclectic – with hints of Pop, Opera, Rock and even a touch of Country.

What is your favourite NZ venue?
I’d love to play at Aotea Centre one day as I used to sing Opera there with Opera NZ .

What is the best part of being a musician?
The high you get when you nail a show, and working with such an array of interesting, creative people.

What is in your CD collection at home?
I have a huge CD and Vinyl collection at home – everything from Classical, Jazz, Def Leppard, Evanesence, Michael Buble, Dixie Chicks, Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, even Eminem. I love to mix it up because I get bored of one style of music if that’s all I have.

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?
I sang the US National Anthem at a Bull Riding event. Afterward I was mingling with some people who were bull owners, including some pretty famous sports stars. I should tell you now, I am pretty clueless about most sports.  Anyway, I was speaking to a really nice guy for about 20 minutes before finally asking him what he did. The group around us gasped – “he’s the Great One”, to which I replied with a laugh“ Yeah yeah great at what?”. Well it turned out to be the super famous hockey player – Wayne Gretzky. Yup, that was embarrassing. Though he couldn’t have been nicer about it. 

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?
At home in Auckland, around a BBQ with my family and friends.

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?
Definitely my set at the Indy500 – it was so surreal to see 400,000 people in one place, especially when they started serving Jack and Coke at 7.30am!

How do you keep in contact with your fans?
I always make a point to stay after a show and meet people who want to meet me. I also always email people back if they contact me though my website, or Facebook or even Twitter. 

What rumour would you like to start about yourself?
That playing my music to garden vegetables will increase their vitamin IQ.