We spoke with Nadri Nami about “Tradition” and more!

Q: Hi, Oshanna! Before we get into the music, how are you doing these days? What’s been keeping you grounded or inspired lately?

A: Hi, I’m well. Grounded? My spiritual practices like meditation or listening to binary beats/sounds. Listening to music, deep breathing.

Q: The title “Tradition” is intriguing. What does that word mean to you personally, and what sparked the idea for the song?

Q: There’s a strong emotional pull in the track. Was there something specific that pushed you to write it, or did it come together more gradually?

A: The catalyst to the song was a past relationship. I was sitting in the studio with my producer an I remember saying I didn’t want to write about heartbreak anymore, I no longer wanted to be in that space. We went through a few track loops and beats and the bounce and color in the beat inspired me to write about “moving on” so in the track, I talk about noticing the nuances in the relationship and finally having clarity on what I truly wanted, which was a traditional love, something grounding, something to look forward to everyday, something that poured “into” me and not just “took” from me. I want a family, stability, the structure you know?! I no longer wanted to turmoil that came from a dynamic that didn’t foster those things, I now knew what my heart and soul needed. 

Q: Your vocals are smooth but also feel incredibly real and intimate. How do you stay connected to that emotional honesty when you’re in the booth?

A: I write from a real place, I write about my real life experiences and that usually evokes an emotion or “sound” from my sound box. There’s usually some creativity behind it as well like tone, cadence ect but my voice itself, I always know “how” I want to say things an how I want things to sound. 

Q: You touch on liberation and feminine strength in this record. What does that look like for you in your own life and how did you want to reflect that in the song?

A: I’ve experienced liberation in many forms. Whether it was stepping away from a friendship, work environments, a frame of mind or lifestyle that I no longer resonated with ect so the practice was instilled within me but When I stepped away from my last relationship I felt like I was honoring a whole other version of myself, this feeling was different. Innately, humans are afraid of the unknown, once I started noticing that in myself I started conjuring up ideas on what my life would look like without this person, who I would be, “where” I would be, how far the heartache would potentially set me back. We’d talk about separating an our individuality an the trauma bond we built and  so desperately clung to. So leaving this relationship was one the hardest things u had done because of how deep the bond was. Even in its unhealthy regard. I realized I had an attachment that I hadn’t had before so I felt as though separating would have meant separating from a piece of myself. Once we split I had never felt so liberated in my life, I felt like if I could do that, I can do anything. It confirmed how resilient I knew I was, it confirmed that the “unknown” was not as bad as I thought an that no one was going to love me more than I love myself an I wanted every woman to hear an know that. I did a lot of healing, introspection, childhood regression work an coming into myself more. ..

Q: When you were creating “Tradition,” who did you picture listening to it? Was there someone in mind who really needed to hear this?

A: Honestly I didn’t picture anyone specific listening to the song but I “did” think that there would be woman who would/could relate to the message. I didn’t tie a “specific” demographic other than “woman”. 

Q: Do your songs usually come from personal experience or do you like to create from observation and imagination?

A: Personal experience. I haven’t figured out how to write from someone else’s POV yet. I speak for myself, I’ve got things to say. 

Q: Can you walk us through how “Tradition” came together? Where were you, who were you working with, what was the vibe in the room?

A: I was downtown, at “Signal” Studios with my producer & engineer “Josh Polasz. It was our first time finally meeting after almost a year of chatting via dm’s an trying to coordinate time for us to create. We immediately clicked, It was a great experience, he fostered a safe environment, he was a lot of fun to work with, down to earth, friendly and when he started playing looos and beats for me, I knew I met one of my matches creatively. It’s always a great time working with him. 

Q: Your sound feels effortless and soulful without trying to chase anything trendy. Is that something you think about or does it just reflect who you are musically?

A: I don’t chase trends, I do what feels and sounds right to me. I honour myself every time I create, I am open to trying new things and exploring but ultimately I end up choosing and doing what I want. 

Q: If “Tradition” was part of a movie scene, what would be happening on screen? Set the mood for us.

A: If “tradition” was placed in a movie scene, It would be a girl telling her boyfriend that she can no longer be with him. The typical breakup background music song. She’d be sitting in his car about to get out when she finally says the things she’s been holding onto. He’s the jock, the popular guy at school but he can be a pompus axx that doesn’t know how to treat a woman right an finally after being quiet for a year of dating him, she honoured herself by choosing herself an exits the car then the music goes full blast “I’m alriiiiiight, with goodbyyyyyes..”

Q: Now that “Tradition” is out, what’s coming up next for you? Are you planning to release more music, perform live, or take some creative time for yourself before the year wraps up?

A: “Tradition” is the catalyst to a successful an musically abundant year ahead. I’ve got performance opportunities already in the works, consistency considered an projects I can’t wait to share with the world. Don’t forget to follow my evolution on all socials @Nadrinami