THEAUSSIEWORD.COM special interview with Nina Baumer.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
My love for singing and entertaining began before I could even speak. My mum then came to realize that I was always singing and once we moved to Australia she put me in classical singing lessons. I began performing in competitions, musicals and would sing so loudly in our house, making sure any visitor listened to me. I had double mirrors in my room so I would hold my fake microphone and sing to Christina Aguilera and pretend I was on a big stage. I quickly realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I loved the energy of singing in front of people, the way music could take an audience to a different place and I just really loved making music.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I’m really motivated by growth. I love seeing how each release I’ve grown as an artist, how my fan base has expanded, what I’ve learnt, and that I’m one step closer to where I want to be. Each session, each song, each performance seems like I’m at the top of my game but the next time is even better. It’s so powerful to see other artists break that I’ve been following/working with for a long time because you can see their growth too and that’s really inspiring.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I want to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic with a solid body of work that I can tie a bow around and deliver to my fans and say: “This is Nina and you’re going to love her!” I feel like I have discovered a lot about my talents and myself. I want to be able to show them off, take them on tour, and reach a large number of new people.
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
I will be releasing new singles and I am currently working on an EP. I would LOVE to go on tour because performing live is one of my favourite things to do but we shall see depending on the state of the world.
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
“Bad Excuse” is a very high-energy song that makes you want to pay attention as soon as that 808 hits. This song plays with all the elements that I love to hear in a song: a driving bass, a hard hitting beat, tight production, relatable lyrics and a catchy melody that shows off my voice. Are you dancing? Are you singing along? Are you feeling it? That’s what I want my listeners to be doing when they’re listening to my music.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
Inspiration can stem from many places. I generally write about my own experiences or concepts that I find are relatable to many people.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Hmm perhaps….
I love writing conceptually and metaphorically so it is up to the listener to interpret and take on the song how they want. But I do also like intertwining metaphorical lyrics with literal lyrics – sometimes you just have to say it as it is.
Success, what is the secret to it?
Believing yourself and letting others help you. These are two things I still have to remind myself as I tend to want to do everything myself but without a team you’re just making the journey harder. Let people help you!
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I went on a US East Coast mini tour that was so exciting. I had always wanted to go on tour and my team organized it determined to sell the tickets we needed to sell and establish new fans and… we did!
My two favourite shows in the US so far would be my last show in Boston, because I could physically see the growth of my fan base as it was nearly at capacity, and my most recent show before the pandemic in Los Angeles. My team and I hustled to engage a new audience I had never performed in front of before, and we ended up having a larger crowd then we expected!
“Bad Excuse” also hit 1000 plays on Spotify within the first 36 hours of release and that has been my fastest streaming record on a new release yet.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Cher, Halsey. These women have reinvented themselves, worked tirelessly, and demonstrated innovation and forward thinking. They’ve also not only conquered music, but TV and film. I aspire to be the same way.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
I am about to start writing for my EP and plan to release it in 2021. I’m really excited about this!
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
I would like to be a full time musician, streamer and songwriter supporting myself from these revenues. I would love to be an opening act for a US and European tour and have built a very supportive and long-lasting fan base.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
This industry is very cut throat. Sometimes it feels like you have everything and sometimes it feels like you have nothing. There are many artists who want the same spotlight so sometimes it feels like it’s a rat race to get there. But the determination, drive and excitement in making music and creating is the fun part!
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
Vera Blue, Jessica Mauboy, Matt Corby, Odette.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Pop music has always been image heavy and musicians are far more conscious of their image nowadays. I think it’s exciting to see the opportunities for artists to suddenly blow up and catch the attention of new fans without a label. However, there is a pressure on musicians now to create music for social media and the standard of a ‘good song’ has changed. This shift makes me want to work harder and smarter and find different avenues of how I can break through the noise.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
Australia is such a big part of who I am as person and it’s an audience that I love keeping in touch with. Although I am in the US, I won’t be losing my accent anytime soon haha. Looking at Europe, my family lives there and I also speak German. I’ve started writing songs in German as a way to hopefully connect with the people there.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
I love collaborating! Collaboration opens my perspective and often allows me to make a song or project better. If I could write with anyone: Ian Kilpatrick, Lady Gaga, Vera Blue, and Beyoncé – I feel that these artists would push me!
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Patience is key! It may seem like you work so much and so hard for a really long time and maybe nothing happens immediately. But hard work pays off and your time will come. Just keep believing in yourself, work hard and the opportunities will arise.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
Thank you for supporting me! I mostly interact with my fans on Instagram and Twitch!
Any last words?
Stay humble, true and hard working!
Website: https://www.ninaofficialmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nina.baumer/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NinaBaumer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninabaumer/