Nicole Ariana

Nicole Ariana – ECMA 2023 Nominees (Interview)

Halifax, NS-based Nicole Ariana is Music Nova Scotia’s 2022 SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and Electronic Artist of the Year.  

Her debut album CRYBABY is an aesthetic and emotive body of work that was released in 2022. The album is currently nominated for two ECMAs, RnB/Soul Album of the Year and Video of the Year.

In February of this year, Nicole unveiled her single, “Shameless,” along with a music video to accompany the release. Produced by Breagh Isabel (Classified, Ria Mae) and co-written with Isabel and Kayleigh O’Connor (Inna, Quake Matthews), the track is an ode to a love gone wrong and paints the picture of holding on to something for much too long.

Watch the video for “Shameless” below and learn more about Nicole Ariana via our mini-interview.

First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?

I’m Nicole Ariana, and I am a songwriter and recording artist based in Halifax. I like to describe my music as Alt-RnB/Pop. My debut album Crybaby was released this past October.

Tell us a bit about your newest release.

Crybaby, the album, was a long time coming for me. The first songs on the record were written back in 2018, and a couple were written overseas in London and Berlin (my publisher is based in those two cities, so I have spent a decent amount of time over there songwriting). It features production and co-writing from some of my closest friends, who are all amazing creators – Corey Lerue, Breagh Isabel, Kayleigh O’Connor (Blue in Tokio), Dylan and Jodi Guthro, and Laura Roy, which is very special to me. This allowed me to make a vulnerable and honest project that was true to myself and what I was going through during those years. 

There are four music videos from the album, and more to come. The most recent is a video for “Shameless,” directed by Griffin O’Toole. I also am featured and co-wrote a song that was JUST released by Quake Matthews on April 21st called “Flowers on the Grave” from his Darkroom EP. It’s produced by Classified and written by Quake, myself, and Carleton Stone.

You’re nominated for an East Coast Music Award this year. Is this your first time being nominated?

This is my second time being up for an ECMA. My EP STRAND was nominated for Electronic Recording of the Year in 2018. I’m really honoured to be nominated for two awards this year – RnB/Soul Recording of the Year and TD Fan’s Choice Music Video. I’m up against some real heavy hitters (Aquakultre, Classified, Dave Sampson, Neon Dreams, etc.), and really pleased to be considered alongside such great company.

Are you performing anywhere during the festivities from May 3-7? If so, where?

I’m performing at 11:30 PM on Friday, May 5th, in the Halifax Ballroom at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. I’ll have my 5 piece band up there with me and will be playing the whole Crybaby project, as well as some other surprises! 

I’ll also be on a panel called “Finding the balance when you do everything” (May 5th at 11 AM at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel) about being an independent artist and its challenges. I am a member of ECMA’s Wellness program, which focuses on mental health and wellness in the music industry, and excited to discuss, share, and learn from my fellow panelists (Rose Cousins, Hayley Ryerson) about how we approach and pursue wellness while working in such an unpredictable industry.

Are there any specific events through the weekend that you are excited to check out?

I’m really excited about the awards and red carpet – which reminds me. I need to find an outfit! 

There are so many amazing people performing that it’s hard to narrow it down but I’m definitely going to be checking out Maggie Andrew, Corey Lerue, Mo Kenney, Aquakultre, Joce Reyome, Yvette Lorraine, Wolf Castle, Neon Dreams, Jah’Mila – the list goes on and on!

If you could work with any fellow East Coast artist, who would you choose?

My recent song with Quake was definitely on the bucket list, so it feels great to finally check that one off – same with Classified, and he produced “Flowers on the Grave,” so I feel like that kinda counts, hah. 

I’d love to do a song with Emilee Sorrey, the lead vocalist of the band Sorrey from PEI/NS. My dream is to have an East Coast Girl Group – I honestly shouldn’t say much more about it because it’s somewhat in the works, but perhaps it’ll start with a song by the two of us and build from there.

Do you have any upcoming shows, other than the ECMAs, to tell us about?

I am playing NXNE Festival in Toronto on May 17 at the Drake Underground and couldn’t be more excited to get back to The Drake and back to Toronto! The whole band is coming, and I am STOKED! I also have some summer shows that are yet to be announced, so stay tuned.

What’s next for you in 2023?

I recently spent a month in LA mentoring under an amazing Canadian producer and songwriter, Maïa Davies. 2023 for me, is all about continuing to build on my production skills I’ve been learning from Maïa, as well as writing new material for my next album and writing for others when it feels right. I’m excited to keep talking about Crybaby as well in the meantime and have a few more visual elements to release associated with that, maybe even a remix or two.

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