Introducing... Nadine Shah

Nadine Shah is a singer-songwriter hailing from the North East of England however, noticeably influenced by a cocktail of Norweigan and Pakistan origin.

Shah released her debut Aching Bones in November, causing quite a stir in the blogosphere. A good one, for sure. Produced by Ben Hillier, (Horrors, Blur and Depeche Mode), the EP has received a great reaction so far and is set to mark the start of a very bright future.

The three-track offering is a delightful taster of what’s to come from Shah, atmospheric and packed with emotional depth carrying her powerful vocals throughout.

Her forthcoming debut album, ‘Love Your Dumb and Mad’ is a captivating title and reflection of Shah’s character and is sure to be one of the highly anticipated album of this year.

A couple of weeks ago, I caught up with Nadine who was lovely enough to answer a few questions, so we can get to know her that little more.

PS. Happy Birthday Nads!

DaisyDigital: You've just released your debut EP 'Aching Bones', how does it feel after all this time?

Nadine Shah: It was wonderful, a relief almost, to finally release something. The only part I was really anxious about was people’s reviews of the EP but luckily they were good.

DD: And, how was it working with Ben Hillier? 

NS: Working with Ben has been great, overwhelming at first though as he has made some of my favourite records. It took me a long time to find the right producer for this project. We are very like-minded in our approach to music and I consider this album more of a collaborative piece of work between the two of us.

DD: I have given the EP a listen and there are some delightfully crafted, emotional tracks there, for anyone who's not heard you, how would you describe the sound?

NS: Ahhh this is the bit I find most difficult! :-) I suppose the sound itself is quite classic sounding, in that it doesn't particularly adhere to a certain trend. Someone said in a review it was like "balkan, gothic, melancholic pop"...I like that.

DD: With a rich cultural mix from both parents, would you say your sound is reflective of your background?

NS: Not consciously, but it is quite possible I have been influenced by my fathers music. He listens to these beautifully sad Sufi songs called Ghazals..maybe that?

DD: How have you found the early response so far?

NS: Overwhelming, I really wasn't sure what to expect. It was something which really worried me, a lot of people will tell you they don't care what people think but I am quite the opposite. 

From the reviews that I’ve read and what people have said to me about the EP, they seem to really understand what I was trying to accomplish with my music so I'm really pleased.

DD: Explain your song writing process?

NS: It's a secret! 

DD: I read you moved to London and were singing in Jazz Clubs, how did the transition from this to the hauntingly beautiful sounds of 'Aching Bones' occur?

NS: I studied art after I quit Jazz singing. I think it was at art school where I started to explore the avenues of sound art. Then I began to write my own music, but it was only really when I started working with Ben that this particular style emerged. I knew what I wanted but I found it hard to verbalise, he seemed to understand though.

DD: Who would you say have been your main influences, both lyrically and musically?

NS: Lyically a poet named Philip Larkin. Musically I think Nina Simone for the way she delivers a song and Scott Walker for his inventiveness.

DD: And you've finished recording your debut album? What's it called and what can we expect?

NS: It's all finished and is called Love Your Dum and Mad (thats not a spelling mistake, it's a play on words) it will be out later this year.

DD: And lastly, where can I get my 'Go Nads' tee!

NS: Haha We sell them at shows but people seemed to like them so we're going to be putting them up on our new website soon :-)