Norway-raised pop goddess NORA recently shared her debut EP Boring Personality Disorder. A true look into pop at its finest, the EP touches on themes of heartbreak, toxic relationships, dating and being a woman in today’s world. A tasteful modern outlook that sees this alt-pop artist showcase her talents with such badass attitude. NORA is a new found pop role model – you heard it hear first. We caught up with NORA to talk about the EP and her favourite women in music.
Hi NORA, your EP is so darn good. How’s it feel to have it out in the world?
Hi! Thank you so much! Honestly, it’s a little bit weird in some ways! Like I’ve been waiting for this and worked so hard for this for sooooo long, and now that it’s out sometimes it doesn’t feel real. I keep joking with one of my friends that it’s like I’ve now raised my child and sent them off to college out in the real world, so it’s a little scary at the same time as I’m so proud and excited!
If you could describe your sound in one word, what would it be?
Unfiltered
Do you have a favourite track on the EP?
Oh, I feel like that’s asking which one is your favourite child haha! But “Other Guys” is probably the one closest to my heart, or at least in a different way than the others!
Boring Personality Disorder is rooted in pop, which we LOVE. Who would you say in the pop world has inspired you the most?
That’s a good question as I feel like there are so many, in so many different ways. But I would definitely say discovering Lana Del Rey at 17 really has played a big role in my songwriting as I was already very drawn to that sort of dark, moody sound as a jazz singer at the time. Discovering other female artists who break the barriers and are just total badasses such as Banks, FKA Twigs, Billie Eilish, Ashniko, Charlie XCX etc later on has definitely inspired me more and more as well!
And of course Lady Gaga!
All your music is very empowering and is full of girl power, how has this energy served you in real life?
This energy truly has been a constant in my life, and I have to say that is 100% thanks to my mum. She was a single mum with 5 jobs to keep a roof over our heads. It has always been just me and her and she did the craziest jobs as a singer and actress and brought me along with her to every rehearsal, concert, tour, play etc from I was 6 weeks old. I have watched her literally face every single possible challenge and hurdle through my entire life, and the way she has risen from the ashes more empowered than ever, and how she’s just been the most badass female in my entire life has always been the reason why I am, who I am today. We have always been a team, me and her – A team full of girl power!
Honestly every single time something goes wrong I remind myself of that power my mum has been able to draw out from within herself in the darkest of times when it feels like it’s impossible.
And that energy and strength is definitely what has made me able to do what I do as a female independent artist, and why I never ever give up on things I believe in!
What other female artists have inspired you throughout your life?
Oh that list is looong! Growing up Anastasia was on repeat whenever mum and I drove anywhere, as well as I’ve realised lately that I’ve been more influenced than I thought by Christina Aguilera and her fearlessness, girl power and Feist that was so ahead of her time!
I also grew up listening to Norah Jones basically every single day as I am a jazz singer at heart.
Another female artist who has inspired me from the very beginning is actually Marilyn Monroe! Ever since my mum played her on stage when I was 2 years old I have been obsessed with her and the two first songs I ever learnt to sing was “Daddy” and “Big Spender” haha!. You could definitely say Ive been inspired by a big range of female artists from all sort of eras, everything from Broadway to soulful jazz, to pure girl pop!
And finally, if we went to a really cool karaoke bar – what song are you singing?
Oh! Hmm, maybe like a classic like “I Will Survive” or “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”? I also love singing “Believe” by Cher in like a slower version, it always hits the right feels! But if I had to pick something more recent, “Dance Monkey” is always fun! As you can tell I’m not a person who’s great with trying to just pick one! Haha!
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