CREDIT: Kiara Nothhaft
Kiara Nothhaft is capturing the spotlight in the music scene with her first EP “Scorpio Moon,” blending evocative lyrics that delve into personal identity and the quest for solace.
Step into the world of Kiara Nothhaft, an emerging artist whose debut EP, Scorpio Moon, has captivated listeners with its raw emotion and distinctive sound.
Scorpio Moon highlights Kiara’s journey of self-discovery and musical expression. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her creative process, the inspiration behind her music, and the experience of crafting her EP while navigating life as a student at Berklee College of Music.
Join us as we uncover the passion, dedication, and unique perspective that define Kiara Nothhaft’s promising career.
Singular Culture: How did your journey as a singer-songwriter begin? What inspired you to start writing and performing your own music?
Kiara Nothhaft: It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact moment when my journey into music began. Growing up in Asia, it was almost expected that I would start playing the piano at a young age. Despite this early start, I lacked the discipline to practice regularly, and thankfully, my mom wasn’t strict about it. Consequently, I didn’t progress much. In primary school, I began learning the GuZheng, but just as I was improving, the program was discontinued. This led me to explore other avenues for performance, such as choir, drama club, and dance classes, where I eagerly sought any opportunity to be onstage.
However, my true connection with music didn’t solidify until I received my first Taylor Swift CD. Hooked on her songs and her journey as an artist, I began writing my own music. I vividly recall one summer spent at my grandma’s house in Germany without internet access, where I spent afternoons in the attic writing lyrics on my parents’ iPad. Around the same time, a music school opened near my home, coincidentally just as my piano tutor left for college. With my brother taking up drums, I seized the opportunity to follow in Taylor Swift’s footsteps by learning guitar. Something clicked inside me—I eagerly anticipated my lessons each week, brought in my favorite songs to learn, and even brought my guitar to school, both to impress others and occupy myself during breaks. Every school project became a chance to write and perform a song.
During those early years, music became my most thrilling hobby. Then, at the age of twelve, my family moved to Germany, marking our first cross-continental relocation. Placed in a German boarding school, which didn’t last long due to various reasons, music became my solace. Despite struggling with cultural differences and language barriers, this period significantly sharpened my songwriting skills. It was during this time that I realized music was not just a hobby, but my true passion and the only path I wanted to pursue.
Your upbringing spans across Hong Kong, China, Germany, and now Boston. How have these diverse cultural influences shaped your music and artistic identity?
Being a third-culture kid is integral to who I am and deeply influences my musical identity. Growing up in international communities, I’ve observed two types of third-culture kids: those who intimately experience every culture and feel fragmented, and those who struggle to deeply connect with any one culture and feel culturally “blank”. I resonate more with the latter.
Moving frequently during my childhood forced me to adapt quickly to new environments, leaving me with a sense of lacking a clear identity. Always perceived as an outsider wherever I go, this fueled my early lyrical sensibilities, especially during my teenage years when my penchant for emo music shaped my sense of otherness, which also manifests sonically in my work.
Adapting my persona to diverse contexts has enriched my approach to writing, turning me into a keen observer of nuances in both myself and others. As someone who embodies contradictions, I’ve developed a sharp eye for subtleties that fuel my exploration in music. This habit extends to imagining individuals navigating complex situations and crafting their journeys of personal evolution (or downfall), as reflected in my song “Part of You.”
Congratulations on your recent EP, “Scorpio Moon”! Could you tell us about the inspiration behind the title and the overall concept of the EP? What kind of impact or message do you hope “Scorpio Moon” has on your listeners?
Thank you so much! The title comes from a lyric in “Icky Feelings”: ‘I’ve been turning to space hoping to see clearer // and my Scorpio moon doesn’t hold the answers // but I’ll give it two-three hundred chances’.
I had a friend who was really into astrology and made everyone get the Co-Star app so they could break down our charts. I am a Gemini sun, Virgo rising, and Scorpio moon. I’ve never quite grasped astrology, but I love finding different ways to dissect and analyze people. I would read the app’s daily horoscope every morning on the way to school.
Part of it was an attempt to create an identity I never felt I had, and the other part was trying to find comfort by chalking things up to being “written in the stars” to cope with how uncertain my life had become.
The overall concept of the EP reflects that search for oneself. All of the songs were written when I was sixteen to almost nineteen. Those late teenage years truly encompass that confusing fight for identity — enjoying being a kid versus trying to prove your maturity and authority over your life, having so many feelings but not enough life experience to make sense of it all, and finding joy in the moment when the future seems so looming and terrifying.
We really enjoy the production of your songs on “Scorpio Moon”, especially the captivating guitar work and the authentic, slightly raw feel of each track. Could you share with us what the experience was like working with Cameron Woody? How did her approach contribute to achieving the distinct sound and vibe of the EP?
Working with Cam was probably the best choice I’ve made in my career. We became friends at Berklee, and I’ve always admired her work, so when she offered to produce for me, I was over the moon. We took on this project together after I had grown tired of producers constantly turning to me for guidance.
What I really wanted and needed from a producer was someone to work with me, not for me. Working with Cam was such a blast because she took the time to connect with the music and make each song what it was meant to be, whether I envisioned it that way to begin with or not. She always has so many brilliant ideas swimming around her brain that never cease to amaze me.
On top of that, we both share the same fondness for strange, raw, and unexpected sounds, so we could experiment with different methods together. I always felt comfortable bringing in wacky ideas because she’d always be down to try it and see what happens. Not all of those ideas stuck, but the ones that did are what make each song sparkle.
Occasionally, one of us would propose, “Hear me out,” and the future of the track would be forever changed. Cam’s musical identity is as integral to this EP as mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d love to collaborate with her again in the future, even if it’s just as an excuse to hang out more.
CREDIT: Kiara Nothhaft
Is there any specific song on the “Scorpio Moon” EP that holds special significance to you? If so, could you share the story behind it?
Every song in the EP comes with its own little story, but it’s so hard to pick one—I’ll go with “Seen”! I wrote “Seen” towards the end of my freshman year at Berklee after a year-long songwriting drought. I was going through a very overwhelming semester and felt particularly tender after a long day. As the sun was setting so romantically over Boston, I started thinking about my partner and how thankful I was to have him through it all. Filled with intense emotion, I wrote the entire song from start to finish in one go. Later, I texted him to come over after class because I was so excited about finally writing a song after a year.
However, when he finally sat in front of me, I couldn’t get a single note out. I had never been that flustered in my entire life. For what felt like at least five minutes, he watched me stumble over the first line repeatedly. When I finally managed to start, my voice was thin and shaky. I felt ridiculously shy, unable to look at him the entire time. “Seen” became my first real love song, marking an incredibly tender moment of pouring my heart out to the person it was written for. Now, it’s my favorite song to perform live, the one I sing with the most passion.
As a newcomer to the music industry, what have been the most challenging aspects of starting your career, and how have you navigated these challenges?
The most challenging aspect has been navigating the non-musical elements that support a release. Setting up a website, figuring out visuals, and getting everything organized has been a daunting task. Promoting myself as a debut artist is especially tough in such an oversaturated market. While online platforms offer the best chance for traction, I struggle with casual social media posting. I attempted to use TikTok for promotional content but found it difficult to create truthful and compelling short-form videos.
The first single didn’t initially gain much traction beyond my friends and family, but it provided a starting point to promote the EP. I strategically placed the link everywhere my online presence could reach: on my website, social media profiles, and even my WhatsApp profile. Through these efforts, I connected with people who stumbled upon the song out of curiosity and ended up enjoying the music. One of the funniest instances was getting a few streams from players in an Among Us game lobby!
Berklee College of Music is renowned for its diverse and talented student body. How has studying at Berklee influenced your growth as a musician and artist?
I feel incredibly privileged to pursue higher education in a creative field. Berklee has offered me countless opportunities to explore new avenues, learn from failures, and receive guidance on improvement. Many professors have redirected my career in ways I never imagined possible, making paths I once considered inaccessible suddenly within reach.
Initially, I never thought I would enjoy production, but now I’ve recorded and produced numerous projects for friends. From not knowing how to plug in a microphone, I’ve progressed to setting up PA systems alone for live sound work. I used to struggle with performance anxiety, yet I’ve since confidently led bands through entire sets on the spot.
Being surrounded by peers who excel far beyond my current skill level is incredibly motivating. Unlike many Berklee students who face imposter syndrome, I find genuine excitement in witnessing my peers’ achievements. I’ve seen classmates go viral, perform to packed audiences, and tour with artists I admire. Instead of discouraging me, these experiences reaffirm that everything I strive for is attainable.
Looking back at your journey from your debut single to “Scorpio Moon,” what have been some of the lessons you’ve learned about yourself as an artist?
I’ve learned a great deal about how others perceive me as both an artist and a person! While everyone in my life knew I made music, this was the first time many heard my music as it was meant to sound. Several old school friends, accustomed to my solo acoustic performances, messaged me pleasantly surprised by the full, distorted sounds, noting how well they seemed to suit me.
Additionally, I received numerous heartfelt messages from Berklee classmates whom I didn’t realize were following my journey. It’s been rewarding to feel these interconnected threads from different parts of my life pulling together. I feel deeply fulfilled; it’s a reassuring reminder that I’ve chosen the right path.
How do you envision your sound evolving as you continue to grow as an artist? Are there specific themes or genres you’re eager to explore in your upcoming projects?
I definitely see myself leaning more towards rock as time goes on! The EP was a huge stepping stone for that since all of the songs were reimagined with more instruments. My music has always been rooted in acoustic singer-songwriter practices, but I slowly realized it wasn’t because that was the genre I was most compelled by; it was because it was all I had access to.
Nowadays, most of my favorite music features full band arrangements with crazy distortion and odd little noises. The Gen-Z female-led resurgence of pop-punk has been so inspiring, and I’d love to tap into those sounds I grew up listening to!
Dive into Kiara Nothhaft’s artistic evolution with her new EP “Scorpio Moon”. From its acoustic roots to bold, rock-inspired compositions, each track invites you to explore Kiara’s unique perspective and artistic outlook. Experience her compelling soundscapes in “Scorpio Moon,” available now on all major streaming platforms.