Satica Nhem stated she’s been “shaking up what’s snug” these days, after making the large, massive transfer from Lengthy Seaside to the Large Apple.
For the singer-songwriter, Cambodian-American, Lengthy Seaside native, she first frightened that leaving the LA space for a brand new East Coast chapter would stifle her artistic course of or her sense of self (she is in spite of everything, the one who wrote that hauntingly lovely ballad-bop: Ode to LBC).
Fortunately, she says her transfer has carried out simply the alternative.
On Friday, her new single “Present Up” with Luc de la Croixx dropped—and she or he recorded it in her Brooklyn residence. It’s her first launch in two years and it’s bought some funky groove work that your ears gained’t need to miss out on. Present up and provides it a hear right here.
In latest months, she says she’s been making connections and discovering inspiration on the streets of Dumbo, Brooklyn and throughout that Apple.
After I spoke to Satica not too long ago, I used to be grinning just like the Cheshire Cat behind the telephone when she instructed me she’d picked up my absolute favourite pastime: Strolling round, dissociating whereas listening to music. Properly, she put it in additional constructive phrases.
“I’ve extra alternatives to only be on my toes and I’ve a vacation spot and I’m getting misplaced in my headphones,” she stated. “Versus like in LA or Lengthy Seaside … I’m driving in my automotive listening to music however there’s a unique feeling whenever you’re shifting your entire physique.”
She’s been stacking playlists as she makes her method across the metropolis by foot or by subway—a dramatic departure from car-centric-here. Currently, she stated she’s been craving music that has motion and songs that don’t essentially contain a number of heady lyrics or intense themes.
“After I was in LA, I used to be in a unique headspace. There, it was extra like I simply wished to seize feelings or have issues be tremendous wordy. Whereas this, it’s extra like I’m trusting my intuitions. I need to make music the place I can stroll and detach myself from my mind.”
Earlier than the transfer, she’d usually write songs in her automotive, the bathe or within the studio, on the spot, with others. However this kind of soundtracking of the motion of her every day life is already beginning to alter the songs she’s writing in her head.
“I need to be within the second, like, that is the soundtrack to all of the issues I’m observing,” she stated. “I believe I’m in a unique period of maturity in my life. I can form of neglect about all of the heavy stuff—if that is sensible.”
Right here’s what’s been in Satica’s headphones these days and lengthy earlier than these days:
Q: Are you able to pinpoint the second you realized that you simply wished to be a musician? What reminiscence springs to thoughts?
A: I don’t have a specific second “aha second,” I’ve at all times been the hairbrush singing child. I simply keep in mind singing as a baby and being like, “That is it … That is what I’m meant to do endlessly.” Since then, I’ve devoted my entire life round my artwork.
Q: Should you needed to choose a handful of albums that impressed you to start out making music, what would they be?
A: Christina Aguilera – Self-titled album, Kanye West – “The School Dropout,” Tamia – “Extra”
Q: Favourite new artist?
A: CIL.
Q: Are you able to recall what was in your very first pile of CDs?
A: I listened to all of the CDs that my brother/sisters would purchase, these are those I can recall:
- Christina Aguilera- Self-titled album
- Kanye West – “The School Dropout”
- Sean Paul – “Dutty Rock”
- Craig David – “Born to Do it”
- Future’s Little one – “The Writing’s On The Wall”
- Blaque – “Blaque”
Q: Do you accumulate information or tapes in any respect? In that case, what are the staples of your assortment?
A: At the moment, I do have a small assortment of information. My staples are Frank Ocean’s “Expensive April,” The Temptations, The Beatles’ “Abbey Street.”
Q: What information, tracks or artists are YOU into this week?
A: This week I’ve been listening to a number of Child Cudi. I’ve “Prepared To Belief” on repeat. I simply discovered this tune known as “Residing Room Waltz” by YTK that I’m obsessive about. And “Honeydew” by Isaia Huron. I additionally not too long ago discovered this duo known as DRAMA that I’m actually impressed by.
Q: Who’s your final vocal inspiration?
A: Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson
Q: What style/period have you ever been digging into and studying about these days?
A: I’ve actually been leaning in direction of extra funk and dance information, issues that don’t make me assume an excessive amount of and I can transfer to and get issues carried out. Nevertheless, I nonetheless love my mellow songwriting centric songs once I’m in my appears like—Lizzy McAlpine or Ryan Beatty.
Q: You lately moved to Brooklyn, and Dumbo particularly. Once we spoke, you talked about getting misplaced in your music as you discover new neighborhoods and sidewalks. Throughout these adventures, what are you listening to? Are you able to identify just a few tracks? What’s the vibe?
A: Listed below are just some tracks:
- “Darkish Rain” – DRAMA
- “Essence” – Miknna
- “Be Straightforward” – Odeal, that includes Brazy
- “Ce Soir” – Duckwrth, that includes Syd
- “Change Garments” – JAY-Z, that includes Pharrell
Q: What’s been your fall/October jam up to now?
A: Favourite is a tough one— “NO SZNS” – Jean Dawson and SZA.
Q: Do you miss us—I imply, Lengthy Seaside?
A: Are you kidding? There’s actually no place like LBC. I miss dwelling a lot and particularly the folks however ya woman’s gotta get out of her consolation zone a bit of bit haha.
Q: So, you’ve bought some new music popping out on the finish of October, are you able to speak to us about it? What impressed it?
A: I truly made these subsequent couple information in my Brooklyn residence which was an enormous accomplishment for me. I used to be frightened that with the transfer, I’d fully lose my community to make music, nevertheless it seems that shifting right here gave me more room to create.
I haven’t put out music by myself for 2 years for private causes, however I’m lastly able to be seen once more and to have the ability to create it in a totally new setting and good timing with considered one of my producers staying in Brooklyn for the summer season. It simply labored out. Once more, I wished to make music to observe life occur and cross in entrance of you. Simply switching up my way of life actually impressed me to make one thing gentle and driving. I used to be continuously in a state of issues taking place in a short time in my life, which, at moments, have been very overwhelming, so I wished to make music that helped me transfer swiftly by these adjustments as an alternative of slowing them down however make the motion really feel pure/seamless and fewer abrasive.
Q: Now that you simply’re a New Yorker how do you anticipate that change may affect your music? What musical path can followers anticipate from you going ahead?
A: I’m undecided if I can formally name myself a New Yorker but, possibly in time however I positively really feel as if I’ll proceed to discover my sounds and completely different pulses that the town has to supply. As I study myself in numerous environments and expose myself to completely different music scenes, by nature I’m going to evolve. That’s the one factor that I can inform my followers to anticipate from me is that myself and my music will proceed to evolve. What that can sound like, I’m not totally positive however I’m excited to seek out out 🙂
We’ve created a playlist primarily based off of Satica’s present and previous inspirations. Discover it on Spotify right here.
The Hello-lo’s Hear to Pay attention is a collection the place you’ll be capable of discover new music suggestions from probably the most dependable sources: Lengthy Seaside music heads. Are you a Lengthy Seaside-based musician, DJ, document retailer employee, band director, choral singer, an individual with an obscene document assortment or only a native music nerd with good style? Electronic mail me.
