London's very own Nathalie Miranda is a musical force to be reckoned with. With a collection of over six genre-defying singles, this dynamic pop star brings an extraordinary blend of soul, blues, and classic rock to the forefront of high-energy retro pop. Her performances are nothing short of electrifying; Nathalie not only showcases a stellar octave range but also performs with a passion that is both raw and captivating, ensuring she leaves everything on the stage.
Miranda draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of musical legends including Freddie Mercury, Prince, Madonna, Tina Turner, Christina Aguilera, and Whitney Houston. These influences, combined with the musical heritage of her Greek-Cypriot roots, infuse her sound with powerful belts and playful lyrics, making her distinctive style even more captivating.
2023 marks a significant year in Nathalie's ascending career, with her smash hits ‘Catch-22’ and ‘Soul on Fire’ amassing 250,000 Spotify streams each and over 200,000 YouTube views combined. Her shimmering vocals and unique artistry have established her as the UK's formidable response to the US's iconic divas. Nathalie's talents have been recognized in high-profile features including Wonderland Magazine and Rolling Stone India. Her live performances boast appearances on BBC’s ‘Later… with Jools Holland’ as a backing vocalist and gigs at iconic London venues like The Troubadour.
Born in London to Greek-Cypriot parents, Nathalie is a fluent Greek speaker and takes immense pride in her heritage, which she skillfully weaves into her music. Her 2022 single ‘????a S?µ?d?a (1000 Scars)’ is a testament to this, embracing a classic Greek folk rhythm called Zeibekiko, and produced by renowned Greek producer Harry K.
Beyond her solo career, Nathalie Miranda has been a prolific figure in the dance and house music scene since 2017, lending her 90s diva vocals to collaborations with international producers. Her versatile artistry defies creative boundaries, showcasing her ability to innovate and adapt across genres. Her early classical piano studies laid the groundwork for her songwriting prowess, a skill further unlocked by an impromptu hotel karaoke performance during a family holiday.
Nathalie Miranda's sound is continually evolving, brimming with passion, heart, and the spirit of her Greek-Cypriot roots. As she continues to captivate audiences with her powerhouse performances and innovative music, Nathalie Miranda is a name to watch in the music industry. Follow her journey for updates and new music that promises to inspire and electrify.
Miranda's tribute to the 1980s, "Is This Love," showcases her passion for the era, known for corded telephones and a social life that didn't rely on computers. The song, initially penned in 2015 and later reworked for its release, captures the essence of being young and carefree. The music video, which was shot partly in Miranda's bedroom transformed into an '80s dream and at Ballie Ballerson's in London, radiates fun, love, happiness, and nostalgia. She credits her team, including co-writer/producer Simon Cookson and director/video editor David Brant, for bringing her vision to life.
Additionally, Nathalie Miranda collaborated with Will-Powerz on the track "Good Day," a project that came to fruition after Will-Powerz was captivated by her soulful voice in live performance videos on YouTube. The song speaks to the hope of living life freely and coming together, with Miranda lending her voice to express these sentiments. This collaboration further solidifies her standing in the North London music scene, where she continues to perform and release solo songs.
Interview Summary
Nathalie Miranda, an independent artist with a diverse musical influence, has announced plans to release two to three singles with a 70s, groovy feel for the rest of the year. She finds motivation in her passion for music and the support of her small but dedicated fanbase, despite the pressures of social media and the evolving music industry. Miranda enjoys experimenting across genres, reflecting her varied inspirations, including 70s rock, and evolving her image alongside her sound.
Her hits 'Catch-22' and 'Soul on Fire' were created under different circumstances: 'Catch-22' during lockdown, connecting deeply with fans, and 'Soul on Fire' in collaboration with dance producer Babert, showcasing her versatility. Influenced by iconic artists like Prince and Freddie Mercury, Miranda's music is also shaped by her Greek-Cypriot roots, especially evident in songs like ‘Χίλια Σημάδια (1000 Scars)’.
Collaborating with international producers on dance and house tracks has been rewarding, offering her opportunities to contribute her unique flair. Miranda's vocal talents were discovered at a hotel karaoke night, marking the start of her journey in music. She discusses the double-edged sword of the digital age for musicians, recognizing the benefits of social media for independent artists while lamenting the loss of mystique and the pressure to generate content over music.
Miranda openly addresses ageism in the industry, advocating for perseverance and authenticity regardless of age. She considers her performance with the band 'James' on 'Later with Jools' as a significant career milestone and highlights her classical piano background as foundational to her songwriting and musical understanding. Miranda emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and being authentic in navigating the music industry's challenges and opportunities.
Interview with Nathalie Miranda
Can you tell us about any upcoming releases you have planned
for the near future?
I have two to three singles planned for the rest of the
year. I just released a cover track a few weeks ago, but ultimately, I prefer
releasing my own music. The new tracks will have more of a 70s, groovy feel to
them.
What inspires you to keep creating music, and how do you
stay motivated in this ever-evolving industry?
You know, I think that it’s harder than ever these days to
stay motivated. There is so much pressure coming from every direction,
particularly with regard to social media, and I feel that it can detract from
the art of actually making music. Personally, I use that determination within
me to prove a whole bunch of people wrong haha! No, but really, I love making
music and I’m lucky enough to have a small but incredibly supportive fanbase
that keeps me motivated to be the best artist I can be, for myself and for
them.
With a career that spans various genres, how do you decide
on the direction for your new music?
Well, thank you for noticing! I love music, and I’m inspired
by so many genres and styles. As an independent artist, I have the privilege of
being 100% in control of my output, image etc, and so I’m taking advantage of
this by experimenting with all the genres that have inspired me. For example,
my song ‘Battle Scars’ was inspired by 70s rock, but I’m by no means a rock
vocalist; I just wanted to pay tribute to those sounds and artists, and have
some fun with it.
I enjoy evolving my image along with the sound also.
Reflecting on your hits 'Catch-22' and 'Soul on Fire,' what
was the creative process behind these tracks?
‘Catch-22’ was written, recorded and released during
lockdown, and it’s the song that really connected me with the majority of my
fans. The lyrics came to me while I was watching TV and I had to stop
everything to go and write it. I wanted to create a dramatic, almost theatrical
song, and I think we did a great job with that. It’s still one of my most
requested songs.
‘Soul on Fire’ is I think my most streamed release, but it
wasn’t my release, actually. Babert, a dance producer who I’ve worked with a lot
asked me to change the lyrics to this track he wanted to rework, and sing the
vocals. It ended up being ‘Soul on Fire’. It was fun to record and get my dance
diva on, but honestly I haven’t sung it since!
You've been influenced by iconic artists across several
genres. How do these influences shape your music today?
They have a huge influence on my music. I never went to
stage school or anything like that and I didn’t even have a singing lesson
until I was in my late teens, so I mostly learnt everything I know by listening
to my favourite artists and trying to emulate them. I love an artist who gives
their all, shows passion, and isn’t afraid to take risks, like Prince, Freddie
Mercury, Madonna, Christina Aguilera and so on. So yes, that’s definitely
percolated down into my music.
Can you share more about how your Greek-Cypriot roots
influence your music, especially in songs like ‘Χίλια Σημάδια (1000 Scars)’?
I’m incredibly proud to be Greek Cypriot. Greek was the
first language I ever spoke. I grew up listening to Greek music, which is all
about passion and heartbreak mostly. Greek singers really know how to convey
their emotions, and it has most definitely influenced the way I perform.
‘Χίλια Σημάδια’ was a
project I wanted to do for so many years, and I finally released it in 2022.
It’s a song about revenge, heartbreak, and a woman scorned. And even if you
don’t speak Greek, you can feel what I’m feeling. I hope to record more songs
in Greek soon.
Working with international producers on dance and house
tracks, what do you find most rewarding about these collaborations?
It’s been very beneficial to me as a singer and songwriter
to work on so many dance tracks. It’s not my favourite genre if I’m being
honest, but the songs are really easy to write, and with each track, I bring
something different to the table. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some
lovely producers over the years, some of whom have returned to me many times
for further work.
Your vocal talents were discovered during a hotel karaoke
night. Can you tell us more about that experience and how it impacted your
career?
Ah, yes, the karaoke night. I was a very shy kid, and not
even my parents knew that I could sing. We were on holiday that year in Cyprus,
and I just had this feeling that if I don’t perform now, in this moment, I will
never do so. I asked my mum to get up and perform before me, to which she
replied ‘are you mad?’ haha. But, she got up and performed a song, which
encouraged me to get up and perform ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ from Grease.
I sang with my back to the audience as I was terrified. But
I finished the song and everyone got to their feet! I couldn’t believe it. That
was the moment I knew that I could do it. And I haven’t stopped since then.
As an artist with a significant digital presence, what are
your views on the pros and cons of the digital age for musicians?
You know, I grew up in a time when there was no internet. I
listened to all my music on the radio, cassettes, CDs. And honestly, I miss
that anticipation of having to wait to go buy the single or album once it comes
out. I feel that, although social media and the digital age have brought their
benefits, the mystique of the artists we love has now gone. Everything we want
is at our fingertips. A song comes out, we press play on our phones and it’s
there. We can watch and listen to everything on demand. I’m not a fan of that,
to be honest.
Social media has been amazing for me as an independent,
unknown artist. I’ve been able to connect with people internationally without
leaving my house. And I’m very grateful for that. However, I think that the
pressure and focus is now on social media and making ‘content’ rather than
actually making music and being an artist. And I don’t feel comfortable with
that. I’ve created my own way of using
socials so that I don’t get too overwhelmed, but at the same time, I’m
interacting with my fans and maintaining that connection.
Ageism is a topic of concern in the music industry. Have you
encountered ageism, and how do you navigate these challenges?
Ageism is still a huge concern, particularly for women in
the industry. I talk very openly about my age, and I’m not ashamed to say that
I’m 40. I want younger artists, especially female artists, to know that
sometimes it doesn’t work out the way you planned when you were 18. Sometimes,
you end up working way longer than you thought you might before anyone takes
notice, and you know what, that is ok. Personally, I think I’m the best artist
I’ve ever been. At 20, I didn’t really know myself, I didn’t know who I was as
an artist. And now, yes, I’m older but I’m more experienced and I’m not
prepared to put up with any nonsense from anyone in the industry.
I think it’s amazing that Kylie Minogue is still out there
killing it at age 55, and yet certain major radio stations refused to play her
music because of her age! I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous! Kylie is an
icon, and someone whose music I listen to a lot. She is very underrated as an
artist. I hope she wins that Grammy!
I have faced ageism indirectly, I believe. I think because I
talk so openly about my age, some venues, or producers etc, may decide
privately not to work with me because I am past it. That’s just my opinion. But
that’s fine, you know, I don’t want to be associated with people like that
anyway.
You’ve performed on iconic stages and been featured in major
publications. What do you consider your biggest career milestone so far?
I think it has to be performing backing vocals for the band
‘James’ on the BBC show ‘Later with Jools’. It was a great learning experience
being on live TV, and performing songs I didn’t really know until that day. And
it served as motivation for me to work hard and one day be on that show
performing my own music.
How do you balance the desire to pay homage to your musical
influences with the need to create a unique and distinctive sound?
Interesting question. I think that my voice is distinctive,
so whatever genre I decide to sing, it somehow becomes my own because I have
something different going on. That is a good and a bad thing, because the
rejection I’ve faced far outweighs the opportunities. But I make it very clear
that if I can’t be authentic, then there really is no point.
In terms of songwriting, how has your classical piano
background influenced your approach to composing music?
I think it’s given me the foundations to be able to write
music, for sure. I’m very good at hearing harmonies, for example, and I think a
lot of that comes from the ear training I had to do as part of my classical
piano studies. So thank you, Mum, for making me go to piano lessons!
The digital age has transformed how artists interact with
their audiences. How do you use digital platforms to connect with your fans?
I do my best to reply to every comment, message and so on.
Sometimes, it is overwhelming and I need to take a few days off, but it’s
really important to me that my fans know how much I appreciate their support. I
am incredibly grateful to them.
Facing the challenges and opportunities of the music
industry, what advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to carve their
path?
I would say quite simply, be yourself. No matter what people
say, stay true to your vision and keep focused on your dreams.
Socials
https://linktr.ee/nathaliemirandamusic
Lyric Review of Echoes by Nathalie Miranda
The lyrics narrate a deeply emotional and evocative story of growth, pain, and self-discovery. They speak to the universal experience of transitioning from the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood, highlighting the often painful process of coming to terms with one's identity and the challenges life presents.
The recurring imagery of "bullets" and a "safe little world" symbolizes the harsh realities and trials one faces growing up, suggesting a loss of innocence and the harsh impact of life's challenges. The metaphor of a "page that can’t be turned" and a voice that was "never heard" poignantly expresses feelings of stagnation and silence, reflecting a struggle with self-worth and expression.
Central to the song is the transformational journey towards self-acceptance and resilience. The mirror serves as a powerful symbol of self-reflection and the quest for identity, emphasizing the dissonance between how one perceives oneself and how one wishes to be seen. The assurance "I will be there in the mirror with you" conveys a message of support and solidarity, promising presence and understanding in times of self-doubt and isolation.
The closing lines signal a shift towards empowerment and liberation, marking a significant turning point in the narrator's journey. The declaration "I am older, I am grown, I am free" signifies a reclaiming of agency and a newfound sense of freedom, suggesting that the experiences and challenges faced have culminated in a stronger, more self-assured individual.
Overall, the lyrics are a poignant exploration of the struggles and triumphs of growing up, offering a message of hope and resilience. They touch on the importance of self-acceptance, the value of personal growth, and the power of standing by oneself through life's challenges.
Fictional Story Based on the Lyrics
Reflections of Resilience: A Journey Through the Mirror
Created by Indie Mastered
Copyright 2024 Nathalie Miranda
In a quiet town painted with the pastel hues of yesteryears, there lived a girl whose life was as unremarkable as the faded wallpaper adorning her childhood bedroom. She was young, just a child, navigating the labyrinth of growing up with only her shadows for company. No one had prepared her for the trials ahead, for the pain that growing up would bring, tearing through her safe little world like a storm unbidden.
She couldn't grasp why life, with its capricious whims, hurled challenges like a relentless barrage, leaving her to seek refuge in the crevices of her fractured dreams. It felt as if the world moved on, leaving her behind, like a page in a book that refused to turn, her voice lost in the cacophony of the unheard.
With each passing day, she faced the mirror, a ritual in search of answers. But the reflection that stared back wore a mask of unfamiliarity, the pieces of her identity scattered like a puzzle unsolved. In her solitude, she whispered vows into the void, promises to the reflection that she yearned to recognize once more.
As time wove its intricate tapestry, the girl found herself caught between the chimeras of her dreams and the stark reality of expectations. She chose to retreat, a shadow amongst shadows, her tears the silent testament to the parts of her that faded into oblivion. Yet, in the depths of despair, the echoes of her resolve lingered, a memory that refused to be extinguished.
In the darkest hours, when hope seemed but a distant flicker, a voice emerged, soft yet unyielding. It spoke of solidarity, of a presence unwavering, a promise to stand by her side, to be the companion in the mirror when the world turned its back. "For everything I couldn't do," the voice vowed, "I will be there, in the mirror with you."
Years tumbled like the leaves of autumn, and the girl, no longer a child, found strength in her reflection. The shards of her identity, once scattered, began to align, painting a portrait of resilience and freedom. She realized that the journey through the mirror was not one of solitude but of discovery, a path leading her to embrace the myriad facets of her being.
She emerged, not as the girl she once was, but as a beacon of self-assurance, her voice now a melody that resonated with the strength of her spirit. "I am older, I am grown, I am free," she declared, her reflection a testament to her journey from the shadows into the light.
And so, the story unfolds, a narrative woven from the threads of pain, growth, and redemption. It's a tale that speaks to the heart of every soul who has faced the mirror, searching for the pieces of themselves, only to discover that within them lies the power to shape their destiny, to be the architect of their freedom.
