Posted by Beatsmedia

View all posts by Beatsmedia → Subscribe to Beatsmedia's posts via RSS

Beatsmedia Interviews Nadia Ali

‘Nadia recently collaborated with Armin Van Buuren on a track called “Who is Watching.” Much different than the high energy trance Van Buuren is known for, the track is very minimal, complete with an acoustic guitar. Remixes of “Who is Watching” are being played out at clubs now and the original version is available on Van Buuren’s CD “Shivers.”

Nadia also collaborated with producers John Creamer & Stephane K and male vocalist/singer/songwriter Rosko on the duet “Something To Lose.” “I chose working with Armin Van Buuren (well known for his melodic trance productions) and John Creamer & Stephane K (known for their sexy deep progressive house) because I wanted to do two records very different from each other. The Van Buuren record is very emotional and melodic and the record with Creamer and K has a lot of energy and attitude. It’s also really interesting to work with them because both Armin Van Buuren and Creamer and K remixed “Rapture” and I always wanted to work with them,” says Nadia. In 2008 Nadia released “Crash And Burn,” the first single from her forthcoming solo album, on her label Smile In Bed. With great support from DJs, and a strong remix package including powerful efforts from the likes of DJ Shah and Dean Coleman, the highly successful single continues to enjoy strong sales and heavy play around the world.

Nadia has performed in all parts of the world, from Texas to Taipei, Bucharest to Melbourne, and Moscow to Istanbul. She brings a unique passion and intensity to each of her performances, the result of a true connection to each track she sings. Nadia continues to 100% exclusively write and sing her own lyrics in order to bring across that true emotion to her fans. She is at the heart of what makes dance music young, fresh, exciting and new.’

BACKGROUND

Beatsmedia:
Your well known for tracks like Crash And Burn, Love Story & Rapture to name a few, all smashing through and leading you to become a well known name within the EDM scene. Can you tell everyone at Beatsmedia how this musical journey began for you, what age did you first become interested in music?

Nadia Ali:
I was 8 years old when I started singing after a friend noticed me humming a Madonna song in school. After she planted that seed in my head and I began volunteering to sing at every opportunity I could just to try it.

Beatsmedia:
Can you tell us who ‘Nadia’ was inspired by as a young child?

Nadia:
My family was a big inspiration for me as a child. They played a lot of music and films in the house so I was constantly exposed to that.

Beatsmedia:
Do you feel those inspirations still instigate you even today and if so what tracks most represent that?

Nadia:
I am absolutely still influenced by my childhood exposure to the music I heard growing up. The Eastern influence is very obvious in my melodic ideas for my songs.

Beatsmedia:
You’re a songwriter as well as a vocalist. Can you tell us where those lyrics stem from, are they based on real life situations or do you create a song writing persona?

Nadia:
My lyrics generally come from real life experiences but once in a while i put myself in someone else’s shoes and write from a different perspective.

Beatsmedia:
You said once that growing up in Queens, NY has given you an advantage because it exposes you to a lot of diverse influences. Can you tell us about one particular inspirational experience?

Nadia:
My neighbours were ‘West Indian’ from ‘Guyana’ and ‘Trinidad’ and they used to have amazing house parties where I learned how to dance to very rhythmic music; it made me the dancer I am today and later on that lent itself to my passion for going out to clubs as a teenager.

Beatsmedia:
When you took the first step into the singing career you worked for Versace. How much did you hesitate before choosing this new career path?

Nadia:
I was young and my naivety actually helped me pursue that career without having too much inhibition. I have always been sort of rebellious so I pursued singing despite knowing the competition was out there.

MUSIC & PRODUCTIONS & METHODS

Beatsmedia:
In September 2009, you launched your first artist album ‘Embers‘. What’s the difference between composing a whole album and working on a single?

Nadia:
A single is so much easier! An album takes 1000 times more effort. Obviously an album is so much more rewarding in the end.

Beatsmedia:
Over the years, how do you think your writing and vocal abilities have improved, do you feel you’ve changed a lot since 2001′s ‘Rapture’?

Nadia:
I definitely feel I have grown as a songwriter…It’s such an adventure to learn new things about music hence applying it to your songwriting.

Beatsmedia:
In your album you go from electronic to ambient. What genre do you feel more comfortable performing?

Nadia:
Actually my favorite way to preform is just me, a guitar and a piano. I do enjoy playing to a dance track in a huge festival as well.

Beatsmedia:
When in production, are you a multitasker, do you work on a few tracks at the same time or just put all your focus on one track?

Nadia:
I do like working on several things at a time. Sometimes in a week I will write for 5 different productions.

Beatsmedia:
The majority of your lyrics are about relationships. Is this because your a very passionate person in life or because you feel your fans can relate to your tracks better?

Nadia:
No, I am a hopeless romantic so I can’t help writing songs about love.

Beatsmedia:
Do you feel your most creative at a photo shoot or a video shoot?

Nadia:
I actually feel more creative in a video shoot because your facial expressions can say so much more than words can. Also just the idea of motion being caught on film is really exciting.

Beatsmedia:
Can you tell us more about your label Smile In Bed?

Nadia:
I wanted to have as much freedom to record whatever kind of music I wanted to and not to be limited by a label that wanted to do things differently.

DOWNTIME

Beatsmedia:
How do you wind down from a hard days work?

Nadia:
After a long day I like eating a nice meal and watching a movie when I can. If I could I would watch a different film each day, however with my schedule, I’m lucky to see 1 or even 2 movies a month.

Beatsmedia:
If you could choose one location that you feel represents your personality the most, where would it be?

Nadia:
That would probably be a country where they observe Siesta. Maybe Spain…I love the mentality of the Spanish folks.

Beatsmedia:
Everyone has some form of hobby in life, what’s yours?

Nadia:
I love going dancing. It’s good for the body and soul.

Beatsmedia:
What’s your favourite place to hang out in Queens?

Nadia:
My house hands down.

UPCOMING & SPECIAL

Beatsmedia:
You are already in production with a new album at the moment. Can you give us any sneaky inside information on its name or what we can look forward to within it?

Nadia:
I’m putting together a 3 part compilation of ~The best of Nadia Ali Remixed” It’s probably the most ambitious project I’ve put together yet. The album will be a collection of almost 9 years of work with completely brand new remixes of my old songs.