Natie is an artist from Reunion Island
Interview conducted on April 21, 2020
by Dan Locke
She envisions music as a language, where genres become different lexical fields to build deeper self-expression. Raised by a Spanish mother and Reunioneese father, Natie grew up surrounded by music ranging from that of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Lakshminarayana Subramaniam—the acclaimed Indian violinist—in the home. The cultural diversity of the island remains a key component in her artistic development.
Debut EP: the Key of Fall OUT NOW .
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in an artistic household, playing music, dancing and painting. I was always a good student and a goofy attitude and a passion for baking.
How did you discover music?
I discovered music in my living room with my parents playing records from around the world, with my dad playing bass every day, with dance practice discovering hip hop, it’s always been a big part of my life.
You grew up on the Reunion Island – (a French state in the Indian Ocean). How was live music there?
It was often linked to a celebration, especially tradition music with people getting in a circle and singing back with the lead vocalist.
How did you start to write music?
Looping was my way into writing. I’d focus on a little part of a song I like and make it the new point of focus on start layering my own ideas.
Why did you pick the violin?
I don’t remember exactly why. It was after going to a classical concert around 5. years old, but I remember artists who made me wanna keep going: Didier Lockwood is my biggest violin hero.
What was your first violin and what is your favorite violin now?
I never got too deep into violin making and the different types of violins, but the one I play now is a modern instrument. Meaning it was made by a violin maker in France in 2011 and has only been played by me since. The sound evolves over time depending on how I play it and where I am.
Do you have any special name for it?
I don’t! Other musicians have told me about names for their instrument but it never came naturally to me. I think it might be because deep down I’m in love with music, not strictly violin.
Why did you pick Natie as your name?
It’s short for Nathalie. My mom used to call me that when I was a kid and then it became my nickname is dance circles. I kept it because it feels like “me” truly.
How did Jay-Z and Beyoncé discover you?
It was “right time right place”. First time I played for Beyonce was in 2016. It was a last decision to add strings to her set. The music director found me through social media and peers in common and I showed up. From that gig I kept on getting the call back.
What lessons have you learned from them, which you would like to pass on to our readers?
They taught me about curating a full experience for the audience. That being an artist can be about opening up a pet of your world to others. They also are a great example of being successful and staying humble.
How do you go about creating a piece of music?
Most of the time I start with the bass line. I LOVE bass. Then I often come up with a little vocal or violin riff. Lyrics come last for me. It’s hard to make it flow nicely and now sound cheesy!
Why do you use looping in your music?
It’s very generative of ideas for me and I love the kinda hypnotic aspect of it.
Digital vs. vinyl? What are your feelings about streaming music?
I dreamed of printing vinyls for this EP but it’s an investment. I do like discovering new artists through playlists and the convenience of not carrying boxes of CDs, but I do feel like we had a more personal relationship with the music when we had physical copies.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
Songs from the past for me tend to be traditional Spanish songs that my mom told me her parents used to dance to…
.
What are your feelings about pop music of today?
I love that music in general is less divided in styles. That people’s roots and influences come through more strongly through their music. That’s valid in pop too and it’s powerful because pop music is what everyone can sing along too.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I have no idea to be honest, but I’m hopeful. We’ll always need music and live events to connect.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I’ve been letting go of schedules, trying to be more in tune with what I feel rather than what I should do. It feels like a very new way of life. More present. I want to keep some of that mindset going forward.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
Yes! My next one is 4/28 at 3.PM EDT for SCENES. It’s nice to have an opportunity to still share music with people.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Thanks for the mention the interest. If anyone reading this has a favorite tune of the ep, I’d love to hear which one and why. Dropping this project in these Constricted times can feel a little abstract. It’s nice to hear from people
You must be logged in to post a comment.