Written by Uchechi Adeboye
Fresh from their Reading Festival set, NXDIA was still buzzing when we sat down to talk; it being their first time playing the festival, the excitement was clear.
I asked about their favourite song to perform live, they laughed and responded, “I’ve got two answers, because nothing’s ever straight with me,”. They elaborated that, “‘More’ is so fun to sing. It has all these different layers. But ‘Nothing at All’… I love playing guitar on that one. It just feels so different rhythmically compared to singing.”
People love NXDIA’s style, and their outfit at Reading definitely stood out. However, they said there is not a big team behind the looks. “I don’t have a stylist,” they explained, “It’s just me and my manager, Jen. We go thrifting or look online for things we like. It’s very DIY.”
Growing up, NXDIA didn’t always see a lot of people like them in music. “Pink was big for me,” they said. “She was tomboyish, had the shaved sides… I was obsessed. She’s still my queen.”
If they could give advice to their younger self, it would be to stop second guessing everything. “Be confident. You know who you are. Spend enough time doubting yourself alone. Don’t do it in front of everyone else,” they said. “No one can tell you what’s going to work. You have to feel comfortable with what you’re putting out there.”
Confidence hasn’t always come easy, though; “I was bullied so hard in school because I didn’t know how to not be chronically myself,”. I told them it feels like they’re unapologetically themselves, which is what draws people to their music. NXDIA nodded and said, “I like to think of it as violently myself. You never have to apologise for being yourself.”
Looking ahead, NXDIA is already planning what’s next. “October is going to be amazing,” they smiled. “I have so many ideas. I want the next shows to feel different and more exciting.”
When I asked them to describe their music as a colour, they thought for a moment. “It’s like yolk orange,” they decided. “The texture is furry but there’s something hard underneath.” And themself? “Yellow, definitely,” they laughed, before changing their mind. “Maybe lavender. Or maroon.”
For music recommendations, NXDIA had two in mind. “‘Nevermind’ is my own track. It’s fun,” they said. “But also ‘Nauseous’ by Conan Gray. I’ve been saving it to hear live for the first time. It’s so sad, though. I’m going to need tissues.”
Before we wrapped up, NXDIA told me about a fan in Amsterdam who called in sick to see their show. They said they’d tell NXDIA at the gig whether they got fired or not. When they turned up, they said they had been – but it was worth it.
NXDIA energy is the same off stage as it is on stage. Charming and engrossing, it’s clear the passion she has for her music and for her fans. Make sure to check out NXDIA’s upcoming October tour dates, they are sure to become a big star soon.
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