Hello Nel and welcome to College Radio Charts! How is September treating you so far?
Thank you for taking the time to ask me some questions. September is very exciting! I just released HELLO MY NAME IS… NEL NASON which is a project with a bunch of remastered tracks I’ve released over the year. Super exciting to hear some more oomph in them. Also super excited to release my nightcore album at the end of the month.
Congratulations on the release of your re-mastered album, Hello My Name Is…Nel Nason. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the album’s title and what it means to you?
I’m constantly writing new songs and always super eager to get them out. I thought it would be a good idea to add some new life to these tracks I’ve already released…ones I felt that showed my versatility as an artist. Since I’ve released a lot over the last year, I wanted to create a single project that could show new listeners who I am and who I am trying to be as an artist. Now that I’m starting to figure out my identity, I wanted to make that clear by reintroducing myself in the new album. When coming up with the name, I had those hello my name is name tags stuck in my mind and I thought it would be a clear way to visually explain why I am re-releasing some of my already released tracks.
What are some of your earliest musical memories?
What really got me writing was hearing the songs “Losing My Religion” and “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” I loved the storytelling behind those songs and wanted to tell my stories. I started off by writing poetry with the ultimate dream of turning them into actual songs. I was also inspired by my brother growing up because he was in a band and making music at a pretty young age. I always thought that was really cool. We’ve always been close and it feels full circle to be making music together now that we’re older. Growing up my mom was singing a lot and listening to music too. I’ll always remember hearing her play “Goodbye Earl” by the Dixie Chicks. Everyone I was close to was always listening to music so of course I had to get an MP3 player too.
“You’re Not a Bird, You’re a Guy” is the latest single from your album. Can you share the story behind this song and what message you hope listeners will take away from it?
The day I wrote YNABYAG I was on the edge of relapse. On that day in particular, I was triggered by boredom and this desire to feel larger than life. When you’ve gone so long in a constant state of high, coming down can temporarily make the world feel lackluster and meaningless. I really started thinking about my friends and became super inspired by them. They have found purpose in their life without feeling the need to chase a high. They understand the human experience and understand that we’re meant to experience all emotions.. positive and negative. They can have the worst day but that doesn’t stop them from having a better day the next day. They didn’t need a substance to get them to that next day, their smiles and belly laughs are real. That’s why I make reference to the support of my friends in the second verse. They may not know but they helped me realize that I don’t have their strength yet. When I have a bad day I need a quick fix and need to immediately feel the happiest I’ve ever felt and pretend that I’m never going to come down again. That’s not real and will never happen. Humans weren’t born with wings and weren’t made to fly…no matter how much fun that sounds.
The song is a reminder to me and anyone else that struggles with substances that we have to learn this and accept this. That what we’re trying to attain is dangerous and is going to kill us. Substances forced our eyes closed but as the chorus says.. Open up your eyes..the way we’re living and the way we’re thinking is not reality. The very last words I wrote were “You deserve to be alive so just open up your eyes.” Accept the harm you’re doing, get help, and start truly living.
How has your songwriting process evolved over the years?
When I first started making music, I had a producer who wanted me to stick to a certain formula. But now, I’m all about making music that’s true to who I am as an artist. I believe that’s what will connect me with listeners on a deeper level. I know some people criticize me for being open and controversial in my lyrics, but I want my listeners to know that they’re not alone. We’re all in this together, and I hope my music can be a source of understanding and connection for them. I’ve gained a lot of confidence in my songwriting knowing that is my ultimate goal with music.
Hello My Name Is…Nel Nason features a diverse range of tracks. Could you describe the overall theme or mood you wanted to convey with this collection of songs?
Over the last year I have experimented a lot with genres and styles as I tried to find my sound. That created a challenge when it came to narrowing down the songs for the album. Somehow we did it. The album is diverse in sound, but it oddly somehow sounds cohesive to me. I ordered it by emotion.. Starting with more angry feelings, to feelings of abandonment, and then to a little sad but hopeful. Hopefully others feel the purpose behind the tracklisting and it doesn’t feel so chaotic.
Many artists find inspiration in unexpected places. Can you share any unique or unusual sources of inspiration that played a role in shaping your sound and lyrics?
There’s a song called Mastermind on the album which is probably the boldest and most controversial in terms of lyrical content. I laugh about it now but that song was inspired by a parking ticket that almost got me arrested. There’s a longer story to it that I’ll keep a mystery but it was because of something immature my ex did and somehow it riled up this silly vengeful feeling.
Collaborations can often lead to exciting creative results. Did you collaborate with any other artists or musicians on this album, and if so, what was the experience like?
I collaborated with several talented producers and composers for this album. I consider them songwriting partners and they’ve really helped me get the right emotion across. I also collaborated with my brother who is a rapper and producer, J-FX, on “Taken for Granted.” I love collaborating with him and will continue to collaborate with him because of his passion for music. He also isn’t afraid to get real and vulnerable in his music. If you connect with my music because of that, you should check out his stuff because you’ll connect with him too.
Somewhat related, are there any dream collaborators you’d like to work with in the future?
It’s probably unrealistic but I’m dreaming of collaborating with Elohim. I love her style and how she thinks outside the box.
Your music often explores personal and emotional themes. Is there a particular track on the album that holds special significance for you, and why?
I would say “The Kids Ain’t Alright” is one that holds a special significance to me. I used to have a lot of pain for my father not being in my life and used to blame myself for that. Writing this song was probably the first time I was able to let that self-blame go and also let go of that resentment. I don’t feel that pain as much anymore because of the emotions that song allowed me to express.
As an independent artist, what challenges have you faced in the process of creating and promoting your music, and how have you overcome them?
Honestly, I never thought more than a few people would stream my music. But I’ve been blown away by how much support I’ve received as an independent artist. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved. One of the biggest challenges for me has been gaining credibility and being taken seriously. Some people doubted my potential and thought it was a joke. But I’ve learned that everyone has a place in music, and no one can invalidate my passion and dedication. We all have our unique voice to share with the world.
“You’re Not a Bird, You’re a Guy” has a distinctive sound. Can you talk about your musical influences and genres that have had the greatest impact on your work?
I’m heavily influenced by artists who embrace vulnerability and challenge societal norms in their lyrics. Some examples would be Demi Lovato and XXXTentacion. I’m in no way comparing myself them because they’re obviously iconically incomparable. I just appreciate the raw honesty in their music, which encourages self-acceptance is laced in the desire to be understood. My influences have had a huge impact on my own work, pushing me to create music that is authentic, meaningful, and not afraid to push boundaries.
The music industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with streaming platforms and social media playing a major role. How do you navigate these changes and connect with your audience in today’s digital landscape?
I connect with my listeners mostly on X and Tiktok. These platforms have given me an opportunity to show my real self, glimpses of my songwriting process, and get feedback from listeners. I am honestly still navigating how to better utilize social platforms to reach potential listeners and need to figure that out! I have had a lot of help from listeners putting my music on playlists. Spotify has also been great because of the opportunities to reach listeners in their algorithmic playlists and radio. It’s been a lot of research when it comes to figuring out how to reach today’s listener.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you in terms of future projects or live performances, and where can people go to find out more about you and your music?
My listeners can expect another Nightcore remix album. I’ve found a lot of listeners through that genre and have come to love that style of music. I also have a show planned at the end of the year that I’ll be announcing in a few months. It’ll be live-streamed which I’m super excited about. You can find all of my social links and where to stream my music on my website nelnason.com.
