Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nisha. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nisha, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I keep my creativity alive by allowing it to flow naturally. If I’m feeling inspired or getting an idea, I like to act on it immediately. There is something so magical about the way music and art feels when you’re organically pouring into it, rather than spinning out over small details. Some of my best production or even my best vocal takes were my earliest ones in the process, when I was feeling the excitement of getting the idea out.
On the other hand, if I’m not feeling creative and hitting a block, that is an indication that I need stop forcing myself to create and get INSPIRED. Whether it’s getting a coffee with a friend, listening to a new album, taking a walk in nature – we can feel inspired from anything. I romanticize life and that helps me feel inspired by little things.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Nisha, and I am a singer, songwriter and producer from the Bay Area. I’ve been singing since I was super young, and I’ve been producing beats for a little over ten years. I wanted a fresh start with music, so I actually wiped a lot of my music recently from streaming services – I had outgrown a lot of what I made in the past and while it can be nice to leave your old music up to to let your fans see your growth, I kind of wanted to keep that for myself! I’m currently working on a project that is slated to come out in September, and my sound right now feels the most true to who I am. My music blends the nostalgia and honesty of 90s/2000’s R&B with elements of modern West Coast production style. This project is about love, and it is very romantic, flirty, and fun. Something that makes this extra special is that every song features an artist from Cali – most being from the Bay but also a couple from SoCal – really bringing together a community of talented artists to talk about love!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first skill that was impactful in my journey was organization. When juggling a project of multiple songs, as well as collaborators, engineers, photographers, etc. it is important to stay clear on what’s happening or nothing gets done. What helps me stay organized is a spreadsheet – if I’m working on several songs at the same time, I’ll make a table with the different stages of the process and give myself a completion percentage for each stage, so I always know what I have to work on.
The second skill that was impactful in my journey was clear communication. I’m sure many artists can relate to this, but often times collaborating with artists can be challenging if they don’t communicate with you. I have personally felt frustrated, being left hanging and not knowing what to do next when dealing with someone who was not keeping me in the loop about their progress on the track. So, I try to communicate clear expectations early on about deadlines and what will need to happen if deadlines are not met so that no one is surprised later.
Finally, the third skill that helped me along my journey was attention to detail. Being a producer, I am super nitpicky about small details and that quality has helped me learn SO much about myself as an artist but also about any process that I’m involved in.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I’m very big on self-care. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, it’s a sign that my mind is floating in a million different directions or that I’m allowing everything to stress me out, so my solution is to ground. I like to go for walks in nature, call a friend and vent, or just do a little self-care routine – some skin care, body oils, face masks, have chocolate, and listen to music. When I feel better from pouring into myself, I can revisit whatever was overwhelming me with a much more leveled headspace. The key is to clear your mind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @nishaofolympus
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pEqzN1aT3wGxmJSVHa34k?si=C1Arm0kHQgmu_cm4AhcNNA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nisha/1496968439
Image Credits
James Dumalo for capturing the pics of me with the car
