Following up the success of her breakthrough single 'Nocturnal Lady' back in March, singer and producer Noé Solange is back to unveil her debut EP 'Bound'.
Produced alongside Jose Manuel Cubides Gutierrez, 'Bound' is a wonderfully hypnotic collection. Filled with shimmering aesthetics, subtle electronics, and her own powerful voice at the helm, this new release looks set to see her emerge as one of the standout newcomers of the year so far.
So with the new EP available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It’s hard to pick one. The first instruments I fell in love with were piano, guitar and violin, as I started playing them all from a very early age. I don’t really use guitar and violin in my music, but keys are often the first element I lay down when creating a song. All these instruments have influenced the way I write music now. Maybe I’ll add violins to my music sometime!
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I don’t think there has been one particular thing that has inspired me. I think inspiration can come at any time, from anything. For me it has recently come from nature, people, events and experiences throughout my life. Production wise, I have been loving Massive Attack, Bonobo and Laura Misch. I don’t set out to make a piece of music in their styles, but just listening to these artists inspires me to create.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
My music taste as a teenager was super diverse, it went from Paramore (a teen classic) and Arctic Monkeys to David Bowie and Ryuichi Sakamoto – I loved it all.
What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?
On the one hand, I find inspiration from the outside world, through personal experiences, nature and different cultures. My track ‘Falling’ from my debut EP incorporates a lot of natural sounds such as birds, merged with Asian percussion that was inspired by my international upbringing. I used the taiko and koto in the track, which were influenced by my childhood in Japan and the gamelan, which is a connection to my Indonesian roots. On the other hand, I also find inspiration in solitude. Being alone in my own space allows me to delve into my “creative mind” and imagination. I try to balance the two.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment, I have been listening to Ólafur Arnalds – his compositions are beautiful. Also, Rival Consoles, Portico Quartet and Elder Island to name a few.
How many of your songs have you written about people you wish you’d rather forget?
Interactions with others definitely inspire me, but I try and write more about my feelings towards an experience rather than about a specific person.
What has been the funniest moment in your career so far?
All the gigs I have played during the pandemic.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
It would be incredible to open for Bonobo. His shows are beautifully hypnotic. His album ‘Black Sands’ also heavily influenced my music growing up.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Definitely photography! It’s something I’m already actively pursuing, as I’m a freelance photographer. I think it’s quite similar to music in the sense that, like a song, an image has the power to tell a story and evoke emotions.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“Make music for you”. Music is about your own personal experiences and sometimes what you create will not work for everyone. What someone might find weird or unsettling can become an artist’s unique signature. So, work on your own sound and create something you love and are proud of and the right people will listen and appreciate it.
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Noé Solange's new EP 'Bound' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in full below.