Connect with us
DODDS

Interviews

Interview | Questions & Answers With Notelle

Published

on

Notelle

You’ve probably heard Notelle before as a featured vocalist in many EDM tracks. Today the Nashville artist follows her own personal path as a soloist. Taking this into account, she’s promoting her new single “Beyond The Grave”, which she has described it as dark, creepy and weird. Isn’t that interesting?… Well, scroll down to discover more!

1 — First of all, where do you take inspiration from when making music?

I’ve always been drawn to dark art, you know, things like folklore and legends, Edgar Allen Poe and hauntings. There’s something about it that has always been so alluring to me. I try to incorporate that chilling feeling into my own work.

2 — Where did it start for you? Do you remember what first got you into wanting to create music?

I think I’ve been interested in music as far back as I’ve been able to be interested in anything. I’ve always played the piano and never wanted to practice my assigned songs, I always wanted to come up with my own, just little melodies and piano parts. I showed my first completed song to my parents when I was around 13? I don’t know, maybe younger. I had a piano teacher who made my “homework” to write a song. It was probably total garbage, but he seemed excited about it.

3 — When and why did you decide to become a solo artist?

I’ve been a featured vocalist and topliner for years, but I really wanted to explore more creatively. As a songwriter for other people, you have to write within the lines they give you for their projects. It’s been incredible, but I knew I had other songs in me that would never find a home in someone else’s project, so I knew I needed to make my own. That was probably about a year and a half ago. It’s still fairly new!

Notelle Interview
4 — Why did you take a dark direction on your newest single “Beyond The Grave”?

The spookier the better! I think creepy stuff is cool as long as it’s not particularly gory. I can handle some gore, but I think the eloquent side of “darkness” is way more interesting. I wanted to go in that direction for “Beyond The Grave”…like an educated haunted house.

5 — What is this song about?

I wrote the first verse about another person and the connection you can feel. It feels like it’s inside of your body, far deeper than the word “love” can describe. That type of emotional draw to someone can end tragically, kind of like Romeo and Juliet. I wanted to describe that feeling of borderline obsession, almost feeling like someone else is your possession because you care for them so much. The darkness in the chorus lyrics…

“Let me be your prayer, your virtue,
If you leave me, let me grieve you,
Sweetest love is the love we take,
I’ll hold you from beyond the grave”

….it’s almost as if the speaker is saying “I will love you even after you no longer love me, I will love you even after death.” It’s tragic, unstable yet eerily passionate.

6 — How long did it take to produce?

The melodies, lyrics, and direction of the track…(the bizarre poetic intro into the bass house “drop”)…I came up with that during the first session. It took a few more evenings to really smooth out the production because there are some fairly complicated time changes between sections.

notelle beyond the grave
7 — Is the Nashville Pop scene still influencing your sound?

I think the Nashville Pop scene isn’t necessarily influencing my sound, but it is influencing my drive and hustle. The amount of creative, talented people in this city is absolutely insane. Although I don’t think I look to many local artists as a sonic inspiration, their creativity as a whole and overall desire to succeed…it’s infectious and revives me from time to time when I feel down.

8 — What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over your career?

Humility. Humility. Humility. There is nothing less attractive to me than someone who can’t stay humble. One of my favorite books makes the point to separate amateurs and professionals. Professionals often feel like amateurs, amateurs often feel like professionals. If you think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread…you’re going to stop learning and you’re going to stop growing, and that will be the death of your career.

Notelle music
9 — What’s the best collaborative track you have made in the past? Are you still open for collaborations?

I think one of my favorite collaborations was with a DJ named “Nurko”. I’m not the featured vocalist on it, my co-writer, Luma, is. However, it was a great song just as a piano-vocal demo, we gave it to Nurko (Jack), and he brought it to life. It holds a special place in my heart. I’m ALWAYS open for collaborations – if you see this and you want to work…slide into my DMs. (@notellemusic)

10 — Finally, what do you have next on the horizon?

I have a long trip to LA planned this fall so I’m excited to get out there and hop in the room with some new producers and co-writers. I want to push my own sound and write with new artists. Time to mix it up a bit!


CONNECT WITH NOTELLE NOW!

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

By Erick Ycaza

Hi, my name is Erick Ycaza. I have a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. This blog is to provide you with daily music news and share my personal style. Surprisingly, I have been blogging and writing about music since 2007.

Newsletter