For this week’s Hot Seat, Out ‘N About is featuring Nolrez – a performing artiste, who will be on stage this year at the 46th edition of the famous Heineken Regatta.
How would you describe your musical journey so far?
I’d basically call it a journey of discovery. I would still consider myself to be an artiste who is finding their sound. I’m still learning as I go on how to navigate certain things, such as my own process, as well as getting myself out there as an artiste and the music business in general. I’ve come a long way, but I know that I still have a long way to go.
Who are some artistes or what are some experiences that have influenced your career?
There are quite a few artistes that I would say I look up to, both locally and internationally. Locally, I’d say the biggest influences for me would be RudyNumba4, MikeBrandt and SoloKween. They’re the ones who taught me a lot when I was starting out and I learned so much just from being around them and seeing their process. Internationally, there are a lot of artistes who I either look up to or take inspiration from. Some examples off the top of my head would be Tory Lanez, Beres Hammond, Kes, Dexta Daps, Summer Walker and Joeyboy.
How do you usually approach writing or creating new music?
I don’t have a set approach to creating music to be quite honest. Sometimes, I have an idea or some lines in my head and I write them down. Other times, a melody comes to me, and I record it on my phone and expand on it further. In some cases, a friend of mine sends me a beat and I just feel inspired. There are times where they’d send me a beat and I’d have the song written out the same day. There are also times where a song takes me a few months to finish.
Another way I find inspiration is by listening to new music. Sometimes, I ask myself how I would approach the topic that’s being discussed in the song or how I would put my own spin on that particular genre. It really all depends and goes to show how much of a dynamic process creating art can be.
Where do you draw inspiration from when creating songs?
I draw inspiration from experience, whether it be my own or someone else’s around me. Over the years, I’ve worked in hospitality and met plenty of people, each with their own story to tell. If the song has a particular storyline to it, I tend to draw from that. There can be times where I may draw from stories that I’ve seen whether on TV or perhaps in comics. You’d be surprised at how sometimes you can be inspired by the most random things.
Is there a particular song or project that feels especially meaningful to you?
One song in particular that I find myself being especially proud of is “In For It.” I mentioned earlier about being sent a beat and having the song written out the same day, and “In For It” is an example of this. Jazzman, one of the producers, had sent it to me on a random day, and something about that beat spoke to me – the next thing I knew, I had the song written out, and the next day had it recorded.
I’ve always been someone who tends to overthink things, especially when it comes to my art and music. I find myself second guessing certain things at times. This song holds a special place for me because it was really one of the first times where I didn’t overthink it and simply let myself be fully immersed in the process.
What do you enjoy most about performing on stage?
To be able to make that connection with people. I’ve performed on stage before doing comedy, and one thing I’ve always loved is to be able to build a kind of bond with the crowd. People go through so much, especially nowadays, and to be able to take them on a journey through music – and even if for a little while – helps them to unwind and not think about any issues they may be going through. It’s a one-of-a-kind feeling.
What does it mean to you to perform at the Heineken Regatta?
I’m always grateful for any opportunity that comes my way, but I really can’t put into words how thankful I am to be able to grace the stage for this year’s Heineken Regatta. This will be my second time performing for this and I look forward to sharing my music with the people, and I hope they’re ready to vibe with me on March 8!
What’s next for you after the Heineken Regatta?
After the Regatta, I’m actually looking into participating in this year’s carnival. We’re going to be celebrating 55 years, so I definitely want to leave my mark there. I also have a few other projects in the works. Basically, I have a few things planned and all that’s left is for me to execute.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that fans should watch out for?
I wouldn’t want to say too much, but I am working on some new projects. I’m planning to drop an EP in the coming months with a few new collaborations as well! I’m actually very excited to share more details in the near future. All I can say for now is to be on the lookout!
Where do you see yourself going creatively in the future?
I hope to grow as an artiste, not just in music, but in the visual arts as well. I’ve recently gotten more into animation and I’m looking to incorporate that with my music as well. Being able to add those unique visuals I think helps to add to the experience for the listener and, slowly but surely, I am working on honing my craft.
How important is fan-support to your journey?
It has been one of my biggest motivators. To know that there are people out there who enjoy what I create, even if it’s just a few, is really something that makes me happy, and only drives me to want to push myself even more – and I’m very grateful for the support my fans have given to me so far.
What advice would you give to young artistes trying to break into the industry?
My advice to any young artiste, whether it be music, visual arts, dance, etc., would be to simply start. If you have a goal in mind that you want to work towards, the hardest part is always to begin. We tend to spend so much time focusing on “what if” that we don’t think about “what is”. Just start. Even if it’s not great at first, you would know where you stand and where you need to improve, rather than getting lost in your thoughts and making no progress at all.
