Nina Tribus is a singer-songwriter based in London, UK. Her new single Worst Enemy is a powerful pop anthem that places Tribus as a unique artist who isn't afraid of breaking boundaries both visually and sonically. In this conversation, Nina shares the meaning behind her new single and how Worst Enemy marks a shift from her previous music.
Hi Nina, tell us a bit about yourself!
Sure! My name is Nina Tribus, and I am a London based artist. I suppose that when it comes to my sound, I would describe it as ‘pop with an edge’ and with a great emphasis on vocals! I really do like to sing a lot! From the visual perspective I take a lot of influences from baroque and rococco styles and historical fashion as well as royalty and anything that is bold and over the top that screams ‘Diva!’! I really do live by the credo of ‘More is more’!
How did you get into the music scene?
I have always wanted to be a singer ever since my childhood and that idea has never left me, regrettably! I have been studying music from an early age, mainly singing and later on I decided to study vocals at ICMP in London. And from then on, it hasn’t really stopped and I have been working on my music intensively since.
What can you tell us about the meaning behind your new single Worst Enemy?
It’s an empowering ballad about trying to overcome the struggle of being the one thing that is standing in your own way. It is about those thoughts in your head that try to sabotage anything you do. You are your own worst enemy and you capable of more damage than anything or anyone else.
Worst Enemy feels incredibly cathartic especially in the build-up towards the main chorus, would you agree with that interpretation? Was writing the song a cathartic experience?
Sure, I think it really is. Especially as a singer, the chorus is indeed very cathartic. I really wanted the melody to be almost like an explosion, like a great wave of release, or a lion’s roar. When my collaborator NILUM was writing the song, it really was about finding the melody that would translate this feeling.
Are there any artists who have particularly influenced your sound?
Hmm, this is always a hard one to answer! I think that indirectly yes, there are. I think one can hear that I grew up listening to all the diva singers like Mariah, Christina or Celine. Even Barbra Streisand, one of my absolute favourites. I think that this definitely has had an influence on my sound. However, I really do like a modern fresh approach to production using samples and being creative about it, combining something old with something new. Maybe Sia, or Melanie Martinez would be a good example of such influences.
How would you say your new single differs from your previous work?
Worst Enemy is definitely my most serious and in a way most profound song yet. I thought that after my two previous singles that were up-tempo, this one brings a different kind of breeze. And in a way it goes hand in hand with the current season.
Do you plan to release a music video for Worst Enemy?
So far I would say that I am not, but one never knows. As of now, I have released a music video for every one of my singles, even if it was at a later date. So I wouldn’t say it’s a no, but as of now, I won’t. I think I will concentrate on the next up coming single.
Has lockdown affected your creative process?
Ahah funnily enough it has and positively! As it has enabled me to work even more intensively on a lot of stuff as one really has a lot of time!
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing those wanting to pursue a career in the music industry?
There are many things that come to my head to tell you the truth, however I think that if we go deeper than just the surface level challenges, then I would say it is to maintain a balance between being adaptable and staying true to yourself.
What challenges have you faced from pursuing a career in music?
I think that speaking from the point of view of an independent artist, the fact that one has to be ready to be able to encompass every role a record label would yourself, is a pretty big mountain to climb. From being the artist, to being your own manager, video maker, director, marketing expert, producer and the list goes on. A lot of these are far away from what you thought you signed yourself up for. And it was something that I wasn’t really aware of before. And the truth is that, if you want to have a sustainable career as an independent artist you will have to deal with this or find a really really good team to help you.
What would you change in the current music industry?
That is one big question, and I suppose I would rather not open up that can of worms! However to answer your question, in the past 2 years it has really come to the surface just how much power record labels truly have over their artists and it is an incredibly imbalanced ‘partnership’. So, without getting too complicated, I wish that this situation would change.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the music industry?
I think you should just ‘go for it’ really. I don’t think there’s anything worse than the thought of ‘what if…’ at the end of the day, or at the end of your life, if we want to be very dramatic! And always try to do your best. Yours, not somebody else’s.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
My mum told me that ‘Economy is about using limited resources.’ I thought that was clever, and in fact later, I figured out that the same can be applied to creativity. My best ideas often come when I am presented with a lot of limitations. Therefore, I say that creativity is in fact about using limited resources. Material and regrettably in this case also mental ahah! And that’s it, I remind myself of it when I need to, which is often cause I’m a drama queen!
Check out Nina Tribus' new single Worst Enemy in the link down below!
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