Sanlam Sing 'it finalist interview: Nicki Sutherland

  • 0

Hey, Nicki! Congrats on being one of the Sanlam Sing ‘it finalists! How long have you been writing lyrics?

Oh goodness … years! Even before I started writing songs I used to enjoy writing poetry. And still in times when I can’t get the two to marry (music plus words) I still am able to find creative expression in writing poetry/lyrics.

How do you feel about the fact that Louise Carver recorded your song?

Completely thrilled! I was introduced to her music through a friend. I immediately knew I was going to love her. So to have someone that I personally enjoy listening to perform one of my songs is an exceptional honour. I love what she did with the song. She breathed new life into it.

Why do you think your entry stood out?

It’s hard to say exactly. Music is such a personal thing. You and I can listen to the same song and get something completely different out of it. This song has always been a favourite among my friends. Maybe because of its emotionally raw quality. Maybe because we all identify with getting up and falling down over and over again…


Interpretation is mostly an open-ended affair. What is the song about for you though?

This song is about hiding feelings and hurt. Trying to be strong when really you are fragile.  About trying to protect yourself by pretending things don’t affect you, when really they do.  And how we have a tendency to get into these cycles. You get hurt and say that you are never going to allow yourself to be that vulnerable again. But it’s inevitable because we want to feel, even when we try to fight it out of self-preservation.

Where and how did you write the song?

I wrote this song while I was at university, late one night, sitting on the bed in my dimly lit dorm room. How? With my guitar in hand, notepad by my side. =) Song-writing is a very immediate process for me. What I mean by that is it usually just flows. I sit down, I start to play a riff/melody based on my mood, and the words come out to meet the music. It happens all at once. I’ve never been able to go back and finish a song that got stuck in midstream for whatever reason. That can be extremely frustrating. But that is why I am exceptionally grateful for each creation I am graced with.

Vote for Nicki and Louise's song here.

Teken in op LitNet se gratis weeklikse nuusbrief. | Sign up for LitNet's free weekly newsletter

  • 0

Reageer

Jou e-posadres sal nie gepubliseer word nie. Kommentaar is onderhewig aan moderering.


 

Top