CREDIT: Jay Sprogell @jaysprogell
Nastasia Kayleigh discusses her debut single “Linger,” offering a modern 90s twist in her music.
Nastasia Kayleigh, a fresh face in the music scene, has recently unveiled her debut single “Linger”—a guitar-driven pop ballad adorned with minimal and simplistic lyrics, showcasing her compelling, breathy vocals. Originally from New York and now based in Los Angeles, Nastasia brings a fresh blend of 90s influences and contemporary sensibilities to her music. In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey, inspirations, and the creative process behind her intriguing melodies, introducing listeners to her distinctive sound.
Singular Culture: Could you please introduce yourself and provide us with a brief overview of your musical background? How did your journey as a singer-songwriter begin? What inspired you to start writing and performing your own music?
Nastasia Kayleigh: Hi I’m Nastasia Kayleigh! I grew up in New York and live in LA. Evenings were filled with my dad playing piano while we sang Oasis and Les Misérables and car rides with my mom listening to Sarah McLachlan and Dido.
I played Dorothy in my fifth grade play and after singing ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I took piano lessons throughout school and started writing poetry in high school. For as long as I could remember, I would make songs up in the shower, making melodies up in the car, but it wasn’t until college that I began writing songs.
Congratulations on your debut single “Linger”! Was there a particular experience or moment that inspired you to write this song?
Thank you! There was a moment, a perfect storm, a summer spent waiting by the phone, it was full of longing; everything haunted and intrigued me.
What message or emotion do you hope listeners take away from “Linger”?
“Linger” makes me feel free and rebellious, I hope listeners feel that too.
We would like to learn more about your writing, recording, and production process for “Linger.” Could you provide details, including any memorable moments or challenges you encountered during the creation of the song?
From the start, Linger was one of my favorites off my album. I wrote the song in the summer of 2020 and when Matt Underwood began producing ‘Linger’, there was this freedom and feeling I had never felt with any of my songs before. I think one of the most memorable moments was that this record made me feel nostalgic, this record took me back to another time.
CREDIT: Jay Sprogell @jaysprogell
You’ve identified yourself as the ’90s revival queen on Instagram. Are there any artists from that era who have influenced your career as a pop singer-songwriter?
Oh gosh, so many: Mazzy Star, The Cranberries, Dido – I feel like we were so lucky to have the music we did then.
How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist since you started putting out music? What lessons have you learned along the way that have shaped your approach to music?
Since putting Linger out, I am even more excited and ready to put out more music. I’ve learned that what makes you different or makes you ‘you’, is the exact thing that will make you stand out, just be you.
You mentioned using analogue synths to add depth and reveal new layers in your music. Could you share with us some of your favorite analogue synths to work with? What is it about these particular synths that complements your sound and artistic vision?
I fell in love with analogue synths years ago; there is something so romantic, dreamy and big about them that feels cinematic to me. Some of my favorites are the Mellotron, the Memory Moog and the Juno 60.
Looking ahead, what are your ultimate goals as a music artist? Is there a milestone or achievement you’re particularly striving towards in your career?
I think right now putting out a debut album that I’m proud of will be a huge success for me and for the world to connect to it.
With “Linger” serving as a captivating introduction, Nastasia Kayleigh invites listeners into her world of evocative melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Her highly anticipated single “Midnight Black,” scheduled for release this Friday, July 26th, promises to further showcase her distinctive style and musical depth. As her debut album approaches, Nastasia remains steadfast in her commitment to authenticity, aiming to forge connections with her audience through her captivating compositions. Keep an ear out for this rising star as she continues to evolve and inspire with her music.