Artist Of The Week #259 - Nina Cobham
This week’s Artist of the Week is rising Manchester based artist Nina Cobham - who has just released her new EP ‘Antes’ - which is a stunning collection of delicate folk fueled dream pop.
Winning fans with her broad-reaching bilingual storytelling, the EP translates as ‘Before’, EP ‘Antes’ feels like eavesdropping on an intimate conversation and marks a moment of personal transition for Cobham. Serving as an unsparing snapshot of a time when she felt “lost and taking space to work things out”, its woozy and effortless melodies cement Cobham as one of the natural next voices in the alternative pop landscape.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Nina - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
So great! I’ve had these songs for so long now I’m so happy they’re out!!
It is called ‘Antes’ - what is the meaning behind that?
It translates to ‘before’, I thought it was a fitting name for the project because these songs are from 2021 - before the stage of life I’m at right now. I’m definitely a lot happier than I was, so the name of the project being ‘before’ kind of just was to highlight that it doesn’t reflect my life right now, as well as the literal meaning that they were written before this year. I’ve wanted these songs out for so long, I am so happy that finally I can share them!
In imagining things I also have a line that goes; no es como antes (it’s not like before)
I know these things are ever-changing so I hate to compare Which played into the name!
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Parts in Spain, parts in England, regardless of location it’s always a bedroom studio setup and feels very cozy. Just to feel something and imagining things were both songs I wrote by myself in a house in Spain on an acoustic guitar before bringing other people in to help produce. effort in was something we started just before I went to Spain, over zoom, then I wrote the lyrics.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
Gaslighting, self sabotaging, realising self worth - its a bit of a rollercoaster of everything! 2021 was a rough year
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
‘He’s just not that into you’!! Obviously there are multiple story lines going on in that and I think each song is relevant to something going on in each of those.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
Ahhhhh I actually don’t think I could pick a favourite, I usually only use my favourite versions of verses so I love all the lyrics! If I had to say, maybe
It’s been another couple years and I’m still trying to get my act together
Blame it on a rainy day or just admit the fact that we’re weathered,
Because it feels very honest and I like the theme of weather in the second line, haha, but honestly there are so many
Now the EP is out there - what next?
Shows and more music!
