Known for her poignant songwriting and emotive vocals, Andrea Nord has emerged as a formidable talent in the industry, drawing inspiration from her own experiences to craft compelling musical narratives. She’s now back with “Monsters” and we caught up with her around this new release.
– Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in music?
I always loved music, and I actually learnt to sing before I could talk, but I was too scared to believe it was possible to really go for it. So it was actually a friend of mine who studied music management who first got me signed to his label, P&L Records (2016). While I was doing a bachelor in marketing and management, I released a couple songs which did quite good (Future’s Calling – Andrea Kristiansen with over 100k streams). But what really got me into music was when I studied at LIMPI (2018). The university has mentors such as Stargate, Emily Warren and Fred Ball. After this I made songs on a music app called Voisey, which got me the “all time most played song” who at the time had millions of users (2020). I then travelled to Portugal in october 2020 to join a writing camp, and since then I’ve made a network of producers and songwriters there who, with some, I made these songs with (my upcoming debut EP).
– Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both past and present?
During my teenage years I learnt to play guitar, and one of my influences was Jason Mraz who I’d listen to all albums from. When he made Lucky with Colbie Calliat, I found a singer who didn’t just sing powerful and impressive (who the other artists I looked up to did, like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera), instead she had a soft and warm voice, which since then has been one of my trademarks in singing. Some of my favorite influences now are Julia Michaels, bülow, FLETCHER, Troye Sivan, Raye, JP Saxe and Sabrina Carpenter. Of course I can’t forget Dua Lipa. I just love songs that focuses on the story telling, but also where the production builds around the story. Such as a well crafted vocal production. Ariana Grande is a master at that.
– Have you faced any challenges or obstacles as a female musician, and if so, how have you overcome them?
When you step into the studio as a female songwriter, it somehow changes the atmosphere of the “bromance” between the two male producers or the male co-songwriter. You could feel like there’s a layer between you, and your opinions aren’t as valued unless you perform excessively great or take the lead from the beginning of the session. One time I was on a writing camp as the only girl, and I was sat on the couch and the other two male songwriters were feeding off eachothers ideas, and when the executive producer came in, he said he needs to see my talent the next day. Implying that I didn’t participate enough in the session. You feel like you need to perform well or better than the others to be heard sometimes. That being said, I’m very lucky to have worked with a lot of great male producers and songwriters, and if I did feel unwelcomed or was uncomfortable around certain people, it’s not worse than choosing who you stick with and who you can be nice to, but don’t need to work more with.
– What’s the story behind your latest track “Monsters”?
When me and producer Bruno Mota (Pusha-T) started working on the debut EP “Closer To My Monsters Than My Friends”, “Monsters” was the very first song we made in june 2021. It just happened so naturally, how writing “they’re in my polaroids” also became the reason for the beat having a polaroid-camera shutter sound. However the story behind it, comes from when I was a teenager and really wanted to fit in but I felt “too much”. I would dress up in different clothes, shave my hair off and (TW) starve myself to the point where I couldn’t eat the egg plum cause it had too much fat in it, or fruits contained sugar, so I couldn’t have that. Being so anxious as a teenager, I always knew I one day would be able to express myself. She deserved a voice. That’s why I made the song. By giving the negative thoughts a name (such as monsters), you are distancing yourself from them and they no longer hold the power over you.
– Any memorable moment or achievement you’d like to share with us?
I played at my very first festival last summer, Havnefestivalen in Drøbak. It was a great experience and fun to test out all the songs to an audience!
– How do you hope your music will resonate with your audience, especially with other aspiring female musicians?
One of my goals in music, is empowering others to choose what they want to do live in life, not letting fear stop them. It sounds so vague, but literally making an active decision to choose something that most people don’t even dare to think about, is an empowering thing to do. Choosing to live your life for you, gives energy and influence others to do the same. So I hope my songs can give energy and inspiration to others who are or have gone through tough times, and push them to go on and live their beautiful lives! I hope my music can be a shoulder during healing journeys.