Coming from the EP Side Effects, singer-songwriter NYA has recently released her music video for “I’ll Be Ok.” We had the pleasure of interviewing her about the song, creating the video, and her life in Uruguay.
Was there one moment or experience that sparked the concept for "I'll Be Ok”?
I have dealt with mental illness in one form or another since I was a young child. My mother has a severe personality disorder, and growing up, I had to learn to weather the storm that is a parent's mental illness. My mother immigrated from Puerto Rico at 6 to a deeply racist and dangerous area of late ‘70s Chicago. Here she was, unfortunately, victim to all types of abuse. In many ways, she has never truly healed from these deep traumas. As a result, when I was 18, she attempted suicide, and that, among other life-shaking experiences at that time, set me on my journey of learning how to deal with my depression and PTSD. Fast forward, I began working with producer and often co-writer Brian Kennedy about a year before “I'll Be Ok” came about. We initially connected over our shared passion for mental health advocacy and creating something beautiful out of trauma. About a year into working together, we attended a writing camp in Yucca Valley designed to round out the body of work we had been crafting. Unfortunately, I had the worst food poisoning of my life on the second day of camp and was bedridden, leaving Brian in creative solitude (clearly a place he prospers). So, while I was out of commission, I heard the beginning chords of “I'll Be Ok” through my bedroom door, and I knew there was something special there. It was a beacon of acknowledgment and empathy, but even more so of hope. I knew "I'll Be Ok" was meant to find me.
Can you describe the creative decision to film the music video on a camcorder and how it adds to the video's concept? What was your favorite moment from the shoot?
There is an intimacy and nostalgia to VHS tape that was a great fit for “I'll Be Ok.” For the video, I wanted to share pieces of my life in Uruguay with my listeners, so most of the footage was shot near my home in José Ignacio and incorporated everyday activities of mine like walking my dogs, hanging out at the beach, going to the bookstore, etc. José Ignacio is a place where I did a lot of healing, so it just felt like the right place to film. My friend and collaborator, Andrea Martin, flew to Uruguay from LA to direct and capture all the footage you see in the video. She also did hair and makeup (a real triple threat) while I oversaw wardrobe and creative direction, as I usually do. My wonderful editor Abner then helped bring the whole vision together. I loved coming up with a creative direction with Andrea and then seeing it all come together in editing with Abner. It's an extension of the songwriting process in that you have another opportunity to bring the story to life and give it more depth thru visuals.
How has your Puerto Rican heritage and current life in Uruguay contributed to your artistic expression?
The biggest thing I took from away from my Puerto Rican mom culturally and personality wise is her vibrancy, warmth, and loyalty. She is a passionate, generous individual who loves music and a good party. I am a little more antisocial than her, but that fiery spirit and the desire to connect and help others is at the core of my artistry and being. I learned from my mother and pseudo-grandmother, Aida, that I wanted to live my life big, open, and loud. So, I feel the influence of my Puerto Rican heritage less in my sound and more in my general approach to life and songwriting.
I moved to Uruguay with my Uruguayan husband at the start of the Covid shutdown. Here I found peace and healing. My husband is so grounded and sincere, like so many Uruguayans I know. And the nature is unbelievable, it's hard not to be at peace when you're living here. I became a better human and artist living in José Ignacio. That is reflected in the fact that my favorite songs of mine were almost all written here at my place in the countryside. I think living in Uruguay gave me the space I needed to continue to grow artistically and personally.
Why is it necessary to create music about mental health? Were you hesitant to be that vulnerable with your audience?
One of the biggest reasons stigma around any topic, but in this case, mental health, continues to exist is the lack of normalized conversation around it. Mental health affects everyone, and attending to your mental and emotional well-being is a vital part of maintaining your overall health, but it's often framed as embarrassing or shameful. As a result, I want to help grow and normalize that conversation, even in a minor way. I sometimes struggle with being vulnerable and sharing things that I still find very painful; however, if I can help someone else feel seen and heard, the temporary discomfort is more than worth it.
What is one of the most meaningful lessons you've learned from your time in the music industry?
The biggest thing I have learned is how important it is to know who you are and what you want, both artistically and personally, and to stand firm in that knowledge. Everyone will have their own opinion about your life and artistry, but what matters most is what makes you feel fulfilled and happy. I had to learn to stand up for myself and say no to situations where I am not treated well, or my voice isn't heard. It is easier said than done, and it takes practice, but building healthy boundaries is critical in life, especially when working in the music industry.
What else do you hope to accomplish this year in music and your personal life?
I am currently writing material for my debut album. I want to create something I can be proud of for the rest of my life. My goal is to make a body of work that is authentic in every sense. I am also creating a lot of cool visual content that I am very excited to share. There are other exciting personal projects on the horizon, but to keep it short and sweet, I want to be truly present in my life. It's easy to take the present moment for granted and not seize the small opportunities to be joyful, and I am trying to be more aware of that.
Follow NYA:
http://www.thisisnya.com
https://www.facebook.com/thisisnya.official
https://twitter.com/ThisIsNYA
https://www.instagram.com/thisisnya/
http://thisisnya.official