London-based singer-songwriter Nina Boldt – known mononymously as NINA – has achieved success beyond her wildest dreams in recent years, with 2020 seeing the star release her second LP, the slick, electronic ‘Synthian’.
She boasts an impressive roster of A-list fans; after being tapped to support Erasure on their The Violet Flame Tour in 2014, NINA has worked with pop heavyweights including Ricky Wilde and Richard X, and collaborated with Kim Wilde on a remix of her track The Wire.
As the star revisits her earliest recordings for new EP ‘The Beginning’, we chat to NINA about her musical influences, working with her idols, and what the future holds for the Queen of Synthwave.
Your new EP, ‘The Beginning’, features some of your earliest songs. As a young singer/songwriter, who were the artists that inspired you to create music and informed your sound?
I grew up listening to a lot of Synthpop / New Wave Bands like Nena, Depeche Mode, Talk Talk, Kraftwerk and Kim Wilde and you can definitely hear that in my records.
The Doors were also a big influence for me in so many ways. I always looked up to Jim’s way to write poetry and his rebellious nature on stage. He was wild and unafraid, I liked that.
As a teenager, I was a little more timid and felt often misunderstood, so listening to him sing his poetry, felt like a great escape to a world where I could be free.
There’s something intrinsically ’80s about Synthwave. What first attracted you to that sound?
The familiarity to a past, more carefree time of my life when I listened to analogue synthesizers on the radio.
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When I first discovered modern Synthwave, I loved how it sounded new and daring, while keeping the sound of the past. That way a much wider audience can be reached. People who grew up in the 80’s but also youngsters that may not have heard it before.
I feel much more connected to Synthwave / New Wave than any other genre of music.
It’s interesting that you include our cover of Blondie’s Heart of Glass on the new collection. Why did you decide to give that a spot?
I’ve always been a huge Blondie fan and Heart Of Glass is one of my favourite song of theirs. I remember singing along to it on the radio while driving to a show and it just felt right.
LAU (my previous collaborator) and I came up with this slow / electronic and epic vibe for it and released it 2015. It’s been super popular at my live shows.
You’ve worked with some iconic names in pop music, including the brilliant Richard X. What are your favourite tracks of his and what was it like to work with him?
It’s always such a fun experience working with Rich. We have a mutual love for synthesizers (of course) and I admire all he’s achieved in his career.
He really pushes me in the studio and if that means recording a take 30 times in a row, then that’s what we’ll do. He’s a very warm and kind person, which makes the recording process so much fun.
One of my favourite tracks of his would be his collaboration with Erasure Be The One from the ‘The Violet Flame’ LP. It’s a beautiful ballad reminiscing beloved sounds from the 90’s.
I opened for Erasure in 2014 on their The Violet Flame Tour in the US, which was such a surreal and humbling experience.
Similarly, you’ve also worked closely with Ricky Wilde, brother of ’80s icon Kim Wilde. How did that collaboration come about?
I have to thank two people for making this encounter happen. Glenn Jones for buying me tickets to The Midnight concert and Lee Bennett (‘Teases and Dares‘ Music Blog) for introducing me to Ricky on the night.
Ricky and I just talked the other day and realized we’d been to the same concert years before (Frida Sundemo’s first UK show at Sebright Arms). It’s like our collaboration was meant to happen.
I honestly love working with Ricky, he’s so incredibly gentle and humble and he’s become a great friend of mine.
Ricky produced and co-wrote several tracks on your 2020 album ‘Synthian’. He remixed The Wire, which Kim appeared on. What was it like to record with Kim?
I had no idea Kim was going to sing on The Wire remix. It was such a happy surprise when Ricky sent the Remix back to me.
He said he played it to Kim, and she loved the song so much, that she had to sing on it. What a powerful duo those too! I absolutely LOVE what they’ve done with it.
I’ve always been a fan of Kim’s voice. So youthful and distinctive.
Looking to the future, are there any other acts that you’d love to work and collaborate with on new music?
I’m currently working on a collaborative album with retro-futuristic electro/rock Artist Radio Wolf, which I’m super excited about, as it’s quite different from what I’ve released so far.
I’m also a big fan of M83’s stellar sonics and soundtracks and would love to make a collaboration happen.
And I would love to rock out with Kim and Ricky one day. That would be a dream come true!
‘The Beginning’ is available to stream and download now. Shop NINA’s complete discography via Bandcamp.
