With the music industry at a low and mental illness at a high, Nadia Vaeh, a self defined conscious pop singer, gives us an inside look at how she rose from tragedy. From losing her mother at the age of 17 to suicide, Nadia discusses with us her mental illness evolution and how she's giving back. If you listen, most of Nadia's music has a passionate message behind the lyrics, and her new song RiSE is no exception. When she isn't creating works of art, Nadia partners with organizations like “Peace Over Violence”, a non profit dedicated to fighting domestic violence and sexual assault, the Human Rights Campaign, and many more. Read our exclusive interview with her below.

Where are you based?
Currently based in Los Angeles, but originally out of Atlanta.

What inspired you to get into music?
I was really drawn to music from a young age, as I think I immediately recognized the power it had to shift the energy in a room. When I sing and dance I feel alive, free and more connected to the world around me.

You consider yourself a conscious pop singer. Can you tell us what that means to you?
I align my song releases with organizations I care about. When I released Holidazed & Confused, I paired the song up with Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors because they do really amazing work to help individuals impacted by losing a loved one to suicide. The song is about missing my mother during the holidays. She committed suicide when I was 17 and the holidays just aren’t the same without her. I feel the work that AOH does is always important, but especially so during the holidays. I feel good being able to sync each song with a cause and I want the proceeds of the songs to help others and raise awareness where it might be needed. I want my music to make a difference.

Jejune loves your new track "RiSE"! It is extremely relevant given everything going on. What is your intent behind the song? Can you talk us through your thought process?
Thank you! So, I actually wrote RiSE a couple of years ago with my now good friends EG and Starr in Sacramento, CA. It was my first time meeting them both through a mutual friend and we were all just vibing out and having some good convo and it turned into this song. We were discussing how frustrating it is that we live in such a fast-paced world and we were acknowledging the disconnect and division this societal “norm” causes. I think that this pandemic, and the way things have really slowed down, have shown us all, as a collective, that there is so much we may have been too busy to really take note of. We wanted to create a feel good song about coming together and enjoying life. I think we did it!

We also love that you are donating proceeds from "RiSE" to the Human Rights Campaign. What inspired you to do this?
I stumbled upon the Ad Council’s “Love Has No Labels” campaign and was deeply moved by the message and how relevant it is today. I noticed that Human Rights Campaign sponsored “Love Has No Labels” as I investigated further. When learning about Human Rights Campaign, I was inspired by their purpose and the fight for equality. My heart has always belonged to the underdog and I will always use my voice and platform to fight for equality for all.

When you released your single "Boomerang," you collaborated with a local Los Angeles non-profit, Peace Over Violence, which advocates against domestic violence and sexual assault. Can you talk about this partnership, and what inspired the song?
“Boomerang” was inspired by a toxic relationship that was extremely co-dependent. There was violence, sexual pressure and force from my partner. While this relationship was super toxic, I was so unhealthy mentally that I would always go back. It wasn’t until a one-off therapy session through a church that I actually gained the will-power to leave. This is why organizations like POV are so important. They provide resources to people struggling in similar, or even worse, situations than I was in, so they can heal and make their way towards better lives. Had I not stumbled upon that church, I would have not found my peace.

The music video for “Monroe” is really fun, using women from all over the world in quarantine. Can you tell us a little bit about putting this video together?
Interestingly, this video was created because of COVID, as the quarantine prevented me from finishing the original music video for the song. Since all productions shut down in Los Angeles, I realized that I needed to rethink the video. I was inspired by a suggestion to keep it simple and make the best of a dire situation at the time. We contacted amazing and talented women from all around the world to record themselves singing and dancing to the song in their own homes while they too were quarantined. This experience lifted my spirits so much at one of my lowest points in quarantine. The love and support of all these beautiful women from so many different backgrounds and places was pure and lifted my spirits more than they know!

“1,000 cuts” is a really hot, yet dark, song. Can you tell us the story behind this song?
I grew up in a pretty conservative family and was often pretty oppressed being the odd artist kid. I was always told to hush when I sang or if I was being my goofy self. I feel like when we aren’t ourselves it is like a “death by a thousand cuts”. I was shunned for many years for self-expression and I think as a result I forgot the core of who I was for many years…and I was definitely slowly dying. Coming back to music as a starry-eyed kid stuck in an adults body really helped me grow into the woman I was supposed to be. There was a lot of darkness to get here, though! It took some time for me to accept that about my journey. That it wasn’t always sunny and that I made a lot of mistakes…. but if it wasn’t for those, I wouldn’t have gotten to ever meet the real Nadia, nor would any of you!

Mental health and suicide prevention is an issue that you value deeply. Can you talk about this a little?
I have struggled with mental health issues myself: anxiety, OCD, body dysmorphia, and depression. I have also lost some people very close to me who lost their battles with mental illness, my mom being the closest. I feel like what has helped my mental well-being is creating music and, most of all, the people around me. They have created an amazing space for me to feel whatever I need to feel, free of judgement, and are also open with their own struggles. I think the more space we create for mental health conversations, the more healing we can experience as a whole.

With everything going on with COVID, mental health is certainly being tested, and we are seeing increased rates of suicide. Do you have any advice for those suffering right now?
It is important that you don’t suffer alone. Reach out to family or friends and stay connected. You may find that they too are experiencing pain and loneliness, and that you can commiserate through communicating. If dangerous thoughts come into your head, it is important to find help. There are many great organizations with free 24/7 hotlines with trained counselors who will listen. If you have family, reach out to them. If you have friends, try to stay in contact.

One thing that instantly lifts my spirit is charity work or an act of kindness. I just recently helped out at a charity event for my friend Pina’s non-profit called Treats for Pups, which delivers food and supplies for pets of the homeless. I left so lifted from the love that I felt that day! The homeless folks had such beautiful and colorful personalities and their animals were just the same. It was nice to feel of service in that way.

Speaking of pets! Emotional support animals are a real thing. If this is feasible for your lifestyle, adopting a pet has proven to be a great way to lift your mood. Caring for another living thing can help us maintain our own self-care. I am not home enough for “fur babys,” but I do keep plants! I have names for them all and give them affirmations in our one-sided conversations. When depression starts to creep in, it is the little things that can make a big difference. Knowing you're not alone is #1.

How do we find balance in keeping people both physically and mentally healthy?
This is tricky because in times where an anxious or depressed person feels out of control, extremes tend to be the norm. The best thing I have found is that I dance and/or do some stretches first thing when I wake up. It helps start my day with a great mood lifter and provides balance.

Since COVID put an indefinite end to live performances and festivals, many artists rely on streaming, downloads and other digital outlets to generate income. How has COVID impacted your life, both in regards to music and otherwise?
Luckily, my team and I have really stuck together through all of this. I don’t think I could have made it through this time without them, and vice versa. In the beginning, I think we were all flailing in the wind and trying to figure out what we were going to do. Finally, we just got back into doing what we do best: making music. It has been really difficult releasing new music without shows to share it with new ears, but I’ve just had to get more creative.

What is your prediction on the current state of live musical performances? Where do you think the music industry goes from here?
The music industry is in trouble, no doubt. I have been reading much about the future of live performance. I believe the industry will innovate and find ways to allow creatives to perform, even if in front of small audiences, safely distanced. I like how some venues are opening to streaming performances and turning these into concert series without live audiences. It feels semi-normal to at least be on a stage to perform to a streaming audience, versus in your living room.

Live performances to a packed crowd may not return for a long while. This is sad and it will do damage to the earnings potential for me and many of my peers.

How are you staying positive during these times?
I am staying connected with my family and closest friends and dancing my ass anywhere and everywhere… the grocery outlet plays really good music. I wasn’t much of a clubber before COVID. But damn, when clubs are back, I am going to dance till I can’t walk. I am also writing a lot of music collaboratively with some amazing creatives. I also do yoga and lift weights to stay strong in body and spirit.

What is your motto in life?
I’ve always resonated with Maya Angelou’s quote: “We may encounter defeats but we must not be defeated.”

To learn more about Nadia Vaeh, please follow her via the below platforms:
www.nadiavaeh.com
Facebook: nadiavaeh
Instagram: nadiavaeh
Twitter: nadiavaeh
Soundcloud: nadiavaeh
YouTube: nadiavaehtv

Nadia Vaeh - Rising From Tragedy