Nouri

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NOURI

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How do you like working in America compared to New Zealand ?

Where are you from? - I’m Kurdish

Where did you grow up? - I was born in a Syrian refugee camp but grew up in New Zealand since I was 3.

When did you fall in love with music ? - When I was about 5 I loved it and started singing then too.

What was your favorite song when you was growing up? - Britney Spears - “Not a girl, not yet a woman”

What made you start singing?

- Watching my idols like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey sing and perform on TV since I was 5 and I always wanted to do the same.

How has moving to the states helped are changed your music ?

- It’s helped a lot because you’re around everyone in the music industry. Everybody is so different too so you get a taste of everybody’s sounds, opinions, advice and writing styles. It really helps creatively too when you start working on your own music.

- I personally prefer the U.S because I started my career there. I knew who I wanted to work with, I knew the level I had to compete with and wanted to jump right into the deep end so that’s what I did.

What is the NZ music scene like ?

- It’s quite versatile. There’s a lot of r&b & hip hop which I’m a big fan of but it’s very heavily influenced by the US.

Who are some artist from NZ you like ?

- Right now I like Benee. I think she's cool.

How have you been doing sense the covid 19?

- I’ve been doing good. It has been a massive change for me and I wish it would just go back to the way it was but I’ve adapted to it all now. I’m just grateful my family and I are healthy and safe and hope everyone around the world is okay.

Have you been able to create differently given so much isolation?

Yeah I'm outside in the backyard a lot more, have more time to think of ideas rather than always on the go. I also do all my music sessions online through FaceTime or zoom.

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How do you feel the world is handling it all?

- NZ in particular are doing amazing because we’ve had 0 new cases for a while now and are allowed back outside. As for the rest of the world I think everyone is getting a bit restless which I don’t blame them because it is quite a massive change. I just hope this all settles and we’re able to go back to normal!

Describe your sound ?

- Vulnerable, Melodic melodies with heartfelt story telling lyrics

Tell us about your music video and what it means to you?

- It’s a one shot take, very simple. It’s such an emotional song that I really just wanted to capture the emotion and let the emotions tell the story.

How much of the creative directing do you do with your visuals ?

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- Most of it, if not all of it. I’m very much Involved with everything and anything to do with my music, videos, content and creatives.

Are you releasing an album if so tell us about it ?

I’m releasing two different EP’s. One which is vulnerable and honest. And the second is really more upbeat and unapologetic. I love them both because they’re both me in two different ways.

How do you feel about it’s sound compared to your previous released stuff?

The second EP is much more upbeat compared to my previous music which is more slow/mid tempo.

What do you want your fans to know that they don’t know ?

That I think of them through everything that I do. I always say it’s bigger than music because my mission is to make sure I can leave a legacy they can follow or inspire to make their own.

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