Ep 2.4 – NYALLAH
Explicit content warning
03/07/25 • 84 min
Nikkiesha McLeod welcomes the talented R&B singer-songwriter NYALLAH, diving into their journey of creativity, resilience, and the intricacies of identity in the wake of personal and communal challenges. As they connect, NYALLAH shares their thoughts on navigating growth amidst struggles, notably reflecting on the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles and their impact on the communities they hold dear. They also discuss NYALLAH's musical evolution, highlighting new tracks and creative endeavors born from a place of vulnerability after a life-altering bike accident in 2022, as well as inspiring insights into their artistic process and the transition from producing music solely for performance to exploring their multifaceted identity as an artist. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling and representation, particularly for queer and trans artists, urging a reimagining of the space that marginalized voices occupy in the music scene. Furthermore, it touches on the climate of fear and uncertainty pervasive in today's socio-political landscape, particularly regarding recent policies affecting queer communities.
Produced and hosted by Nikkiesha McLeod
Produced and edited by Jeremiah Lee McVay
Released and distributed by Stereoactive Media
===
Support the artist:
https://www.nyallah.com/
https://nyallah.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/n.yallah
https://www.youtube.com/@nyallah888
Nikkiesha McLeod welcomes the talented R&B singer-songwriter NYALLAH, diving into their journey of creativity, resilience, and the intricacies of identity in the wake of personal and communal challenges. As they connect, NYALLAH shares their thoughts on navigating growth amidst struggles, notably reflecting on the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles and their impact on the communities they hold dear. They also discuss NYALLAH's musical evolution, highlighting new tracks and creative endeavors born from a place of vulnerability after a life-altering bike accident in 2022, as well as inspiring insights into their artistic process and the transition from producing music solely for performance to exploring their multifaceted identity as an artist. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling and representation, particularly for queer and trans artists, urging a reimagining of the space that marginalized voices occupy in the music scene. Furthermore, it touches on the climate of fear and uncertainty pervasive in today's socio-political landscape, particularly regarding recent policies affecting queer communities.
Produced and hosted by Nikkiesha McLeod
Produced and edited by Jeremiah Lee McVay
Released and distributed by Stereoactive Media
===
Support the artist:
https://www.nyallah.com/
https://nyallah.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/n.yallah
https://www.youtube.com/@nyallah888
Previous Episode
Ep 2.3 – Kimmortal
Nikkiesha McLeod dives deep with Kimmortal, a queer non-binary Filipino-Canadian musician and visual artist. Kim kicks off the conversation with a look into their creative process, emphasizing how their early experience with music began with an acoustic guitar belonging to their sister, leading to a self-taught journey of songwriting and creativity. They discuss the impact of formative moments, such as performing original songs for family, which cemented their love for storytelling through music. Kim also shares their multifaceted background, highlighting the influence of their family and cultural heritage on their work while reflecting on the intricate relationship between their queer identity and their artistry.
Kim's approach to genre-blending in music is intentional, shaped by powerful moments from the past and grounded in a seeming desire to rebel against conventional structures. They describe how their songwriting process is influenced by digital media, utilizing snippets of inspiration pulled from various platforms to craft soundscapes that reflect their emotional states coupled with societal commentary, ultimately using their art as a means of addressing darker subjects while simultaneously seeking joy and connection.
This podcast is produced by Stereoactive Media.
===
https://kimmortalportal.com/
https://kimmortal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/kimmortalmusic
https://www.instagram.com/kimmortaltheartist
===
0:09 Introduction to Kimmortal
3:19 Welcoming Kimmortal
6:43 Kim's Early Musical Journey
10:04 Influence of Family on Art
12:48 Education and Intuition in Music
15:23 Genre-Bending Artistic Intent
19:22 Creative Process and Inspiration
26:42 The Meaning Behind "Stop Business As Usual"
32:22 Evolution of Kim's Music
38:46 Identity as a Queer Non-Binary Artist
40:14 The Struggle with Specificity in Art
41:30 Embracing Power in Otherness
46:29 Navigating Community and Acceptance
51:04 Surprising Musical Influences
53:30 Performing vs. Studio Work
56:16 Storytelling and Political Elements in Music
56:25 Future Projects and Inspirations
59:48 Combining Artistic Projects
1:00:52 Recommendations for Other Artists
1:03:14 Current Reading and Social Media Presence
1:06:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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