Raymond: thank you for giving up time out of your busy day to have a chat with me, so How long have you been singing?
Nina: I’ve been singing since I was about 4 years old, through the church that I attended with my parents and two sisters who also sang.
Raymond: as you got older was it difficult making the transition from the church to an Urban artist?
Nina: my family had actually left the church that we were attending when I was about 15 years old and there was about a 4 year gap where we had not been attending, it wasn’t until I was about 19 when I decided that I wanted to follow the path of a singer/song writer, I had always known those at the church had never approved of it, but my family had always approved and have always supported me in everything I did, they where very happy with it, in stead of me hiding what I was doing, I was very open with my family from the beginning, and in turn they were happy for me because then they knew where I was, what I was doing, and that I was safe and sound and being productive.
The support my family gave was great, they would always be there no matter what the gig was, whether it was a small club, or an appearance, they where always there to support me and make sure I was safe and sound.
Raymond: So how long had you been looking for a deal before you entered the MOBO Competition?
Nina: I wasn’t, basically, it was a producer/friend that first entered me in it, he talked to me and said why don’t we enter you into the MOBO competition?, I thought about it and thought he was having a laugh, and he said lets have a laugh and do it, so I said yes and he entered my name in. a little while later, he called me and said I didn’t get accepted, and I though ok, then he said “I’m only joking! Your through,” then I went through to the last ten, then the last three, and then I had to perform the my track again, by this time it was the first time I had ever performed on a stage singing a song that was my own.
Raymond: how did it feel to have achieved such an accomplishment in the end?
Nina: it was bizarre… surreal because although I know I did perform, I cant remember performing, I remember walking on stage but I cant remember anything else, everything is a complete blur, even when they announce that I had won, I cant remember it, its all a blur still, I remember hugging Gabrielle when she gave me the award but that’s more thanks to photos than anything else, so much of it was a blur…
Raymond: so you went from church to the MOBO’s, to BMG, although I have missed one out, who is it?
Nina: that would be the label I was signed to for the singles release…
Raymond: So tell me what happened there?
Nina: well I got my single deal through winning the MOBO competition, and the record company that were going ahead with the release of the single gave the impression, and said that they would do all the promotions for the single but they didn’t, they lost interest in it in the end, and ended up releasing the record with no publicity at all, which obviously did nothing for the sales, I'm fine now because I am much happier where I am now.
Raymond: I find it amazing to think that a label could miss out on such an opportunity to take advantage of the hype, energy and momentum signing the winner of such a main stream competition would have.
Nina: I don’t believe they where expecting that much from whoever won the competition, so who ever did win their intention was to just honour what they had put down in writing, which was to give a singles deal and nothing more, and keep it all by the book.
Raymond: How did you feel by about that?
Nina: I was hurt, I was disappointed, but I did get over it very quickly, just knowing myself, my capabilities, and only being 19 years old at the time, I knew there was so much more for me to do in my life.
Raymond: one of the thing that really struck me when I saw you perform at the Bedford, was how open you are on stage, many artists that perform often have a persona that the adopt when they are about to go on stage or meet the public as the performer, some do it due to shyness, other do it to hide their insecurities and I’m sure there are many other reasons, but you seem to have a naturalness and honesty to the person you are on stage, showing that you find strength in truly being yourself. Is that a natural way for you?
Nina: to be honest when I’m on stage, I open myself through the songs I perform, we all put ourselves on the firing line at some point, the parts between the track are of me, no barriers, because I can only give the best I have if I'm myself. Some times especially with more intimate venues like the Bedford, is more like performing and talking to friends, when I’m on stage and I announce the next track and ask a question to the audience, sometimes they don’t respond and I don’t mind, that’s ok, if that’s the way they want to play, some times they just haven’t gone through what I’m talking about yet, but that openness helps to break the ice helps to relax me, and settle every one into the set.
Raymond: when we talked after the show, I realize you had the same attitude we’ve just discussed, you were expressive & open, very firm hand shake, good eye contact ect… is this some thing that your record label coached you on, you know, from the “How To Work The Circuit” Book ?
Nina: No, not at all, I’ve always been like that, many people comment when I shake their hand on how firm my grip is for a girl, the only advice BMG have given me is to make sure I remember to mention what the release dates are, and don’t forget to announce this, remember to announce that, I believe its important to give people your full attention when meeting them, its respectful.
Raymond: So tell me a little bit about the album you’ve been working on, I’m told that its set for summer 2005 at the moment how far are you into it?
Nina: Well…. Its finished! (She beams a smile triumphantly). Writing wise its finished, we're at the point now of getting mixes done, making sure the sounds and levels are were they need to be, with regards to the amount of songs? I’ve got songs coming out my ears.
Raymond: roughly how many songs can we expect?
Nina: I’m still cutting down the number of song at the moment, I’m trying to get it down to about twelve, I think 12 is enough as a new artist, when you go over 12 as a new artist I think you start to bore people, I would rather people want more from the album than no more (She smiles).
Raymond: how many of the tracks have been written by yourself?
Nina: I would say there is about 80% of tracks written by myself, there’s a “REZ” cover that’s on it and two other tracks that when I heard them I absolutely fell in love with them, I didn’t care that I hadn’t written them and asked “can I have them?”.
Raymond: Can we expect to hear any of your earlier songs on the new album?
Nina: well, because we’ve had so many to songs to pick from, I have so many new songs I don’t think there will be many of the earlier songs like “could’ve been” on the album, I'm really trying to balance them out at the moment, and as much as I would love to say “yes”, I don’t want you to get the album and look at it and see none of them and say “ that Nina Jayne, she’s a liar!!!” (she says laughing).
Raymond: Is the track “could’ve been” been special to you?
Nina: oh definatly, mainly because it was the first song every body heard from me, so many picked it up, pirate stations picked it up, 1xtra picked it up, it was received so well.
Nina: I noticed on the “AfterDark Network” site the competition for fans to enter, to forward a question for me to answer, your evil! (she says laughing) I saw it the other night and wondered Oh God, what are they going to ask?
Raymond: Well that’s a great link to the next subject, your fans, there were 2 winners of our competition in the end, some one signed to your forum called “Blue note” and an AfterDark Network Visitor called “Halle”, I actually had a look at the forum that’s on your web site and went through it from the very first message right through to the last entry, An found it a great help in finding out more about you, now I’m going to mention some handles/usernames and you can tell me if they ring a bell?
Raymond: Swingin?
Nina : yep (Nina laughs)
Raymond: Stev!e?
Nina: Yeah, ( smiling some more ) there are fans that visit the site all the time they write so many great things and give so much support. They are all so great. Thanks Guys….
Raymond: lets bring ourselves a bit more up to date, and talk a little about the tour you’ve been doing with Lionel Richie.
Nina: it was definatly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my entire life, and he’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, it was quite strange really, the first two dates I did of UK tour, I never saw him, and then one time I saw him as he was passing by and he kinda flew past me with his team of people, I just about drew a breath to say hi and he was already gone, and I though… I’m never going to get to meet him, the team of people he has working for him are amazing, and then one of them said come over and meet Lionel, so I did, I had a chance on a few occasions to sit down and have a chat, he gave me lots of advice, he sat and listened to my show.
on one occasion it was quite funny actually because I had to leave straight after my show to get to London for a show at the Bedford bar, the next time I saw Lionel I said Hi, and he said “don’t talk to me Nina! I saw you leave… ” I was shocked, you saw me leave?... He said “I thought you would stay to see my show but you left.” I was Like “ No, No you don’t understand I had another gig” it was at that point I realize he was joking, and we laughed, I was easy prey being such a new artist, and him being a legend in my mind. Lionel is such a nice guy and gave so much advice, and I took so many pictures…
It was so amazing listening to his show, he was singing hit, after hit, after hit, there was nothing he sang that I dint know with the exception of the new tracks from his new album, I kept thinking I want to be there some day…
Raymond: so what kind of advice did he give you?
Nina: one of the things he said to me was about the media, he said “ Nina, your going to get good press, your going to get bad press, and then you will get no press, its important no matter what they say for you to stay on your path and keep doing what you do, and not veer from your dreams, you must always hold on to them… he also said don’t forget that its not about the first album, its about the fifth and the sixth album.
Raymond: How well were you received on stage?
Nina: I was receiver so well, very well, better than I thought I would be, the smallest arena held about 10,000 people, and I thought maybe about 500 people would be there when I go on, because no ones expecting me to be there, no one has paid to see me there, so I thought everyone would be just looking out for Lionel, but when I performed they where so receptive and every one applauded, I got a few shouts from the crowd, people saying “ I’m going to buy your record” and I thought wow, thanks…. I’ve gone through that thing, you know, of trying to win over a crowd, it can be hard, you get to that point where you think, “ am I ever going to get through to you?” but now I really understand, and see it now as “this is what I do”, and if you like it that’s good, and if you don’t its ok, not everyone will like what I do, and that’s ok too, I understand.
Raymond: did you ever feel like you were being swept away with the hype of the tour?
Nina: No not ever, during the two weeks of the tour I would get nervous just after coming of stage and seeing Lionel going on, I’d think Oh god I was just on that stage and now Lionel’s going on. The experience has made me if anything even more appreciative, so many times I looked out over a sea of faces looking back at me and thought oh my God! even if this is the first and last time they hear me I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got, and I think they appreciated that.
Raymond: lets talk a little bit about your writing, how many of the songs you’ve written or are about your own personal experience?
Nina: I would say maybe about 40%, its hard to say.
Raymond: so tell me about Like a feather?
Nina: ( she smiles with an Ive been “caught” laugh at the end ) what about it (still grinning)
Raymond: Tell me about it… (smiling)
Nina: well…. That song is about a love triangle, where … and yes it is about me, (Smiling) your in a relationship and really its not going any where, then one day you meet some one that says they will give you the earth, and you get skeptical, and wonder if they're just saying they will give you the earth because your with some one else? Or what? We all come to crossroads in our live were we have a choice, do we follow our heart or do we follow our head, and its about making the choice that is right for you, and then you make the choice to leave, clear your head take time out and know that your going to be with the new person your heart is with, and that what its really about. (smile)
Raymond: Who inspires you?
Nina: Alicia Keys and Joni Mitchell, Alicia key has been inspirational because in the beginning she got a deal, and then things went bad, then she manage to get another deal and everything then came together for her, which reminds me of my experiences of my first deal, and Joni Mitchell has always been in my life from the day dot thanks to my parents.
Raymond: Ok so lets talk more about you as a person, what else fulfills you apart from your singing and writing?
Nina: I love training, Jogging …. My family... my family completes my life….
Raymond: What inspires you as a person?
Nina: Good music, good friends and family around me..
Raymond: would you say you live life to the Full?
Nina: I would say ….. Not enough, mainly due to there not being enough time in my day.
Raymond: if you were to pick one word to describe yourself what would it be? ( I did ask for 4 but settled for 1, so Nina, You owe me Three more words)
Nina: Oh no, (Laughing) not one of those questions! she laughs some more) I'm going to be here all day, thinking , how about … no, ah! how about ….. No, Hmm I think the word that most describes me would be…… Caring.
Raymond: through your life, what song has held the most meaning and inspiration for you, it doesn’t necessarily have to be one of your songs?
Nina: actually I think it would be actually one of my songs, (She smiles) called “No ordinary pain” mainly because every time I listen to it, it reminds me to value Life, and not take life for granted, the song is about poverty, its about struggle, and it reminds me that I should appreciate all that I have, and that every one will have some kind of struggle in there life at some point, it also makes me work harder, and not think I’ve already made it.
Raymond: Nina, would like to thank you for taking the time to give this interview and would also like to thank the guys also at BMG for giving me so much time to chat with you.
The interview Nina had given was one that confirmed all I had thought from the time I had written my first review of the performance she gave at the Bedford bar, she has the voice, the writing skills, the drive, but most of all she has the spiritual awareness and heart that gives her a balance in her life to be able to write and sing, and although she’s no where near the top of her game what she already has to offer is great, there is an amazing amount of promise and potential, which guarantee's us that there's a lot more of her to come, and I believe it would be a crime for any one not to see the amazing potential Nina has and how she is constantly pushing herself forward to grow and expand her dreams.
She talked about struggle, Choices of life and love, disappointment, family, and the ability to rise above her fears without being selfish, she talked about faith, inspiration, and for a moment we both talked about our love for haggendaz ice cream which is not in the final interview.
Nina Jayne is the type of person that lights up a room with out having to try and be more than she is, she has a gift that has brought her this far, and at the same time she is still walking and finding her path accepting that the best she can give can only be done by being herself.
One of the questions I asked her was: "which word most describes you?", the choices were religious, spiritual and balanced. She chose balanced.
My aim was to try and discover the other sides to Nina Jayne, not just her music or her favourite designer, but what makes her tick, have I found it? Maybe I have, maybe I have not, but one thing I believe is that she has the sound, the heart, the voice, the love, and the personality that give Nina Jayne that special appeal.
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