Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Hi guys! I was born in Bulgaria, but my family and I moved to England when I was 9, then we moved to Canada (Vancouver) when I was 15, and I’ve been living in Toronto for the past 5 years. So, I’ve been a bit of a leap-frog, but I think all the different places I’ve lived have woven their influence into my sound.
I’ve always loved singing and performing, but a career in music didn’t really cross my mind as a possibility until we moved to Canada. My music is definitely in the pop lane, but I used to be in a pop-punk band in high school, which was so much fun and some of my favorite memories. That’s when I really got my stage legs and started to flex my songwriting muscle.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: I took some singing lessons sporadically when I was first starting out but the way I’ve really been able to develop my ear and my voice is through recording a lot and performing live a lot. I do believe there is a ton of value in finding the right vocal coach though, and it is something I would like to do, because vocal health is super important.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘NIIVA’?
A: I think honestly the icons are really who I remember listening to and connecting with the most
- so, Michael, Britney, Christina, Whitney, JLo. I love anything that makes me move, I love a strong beat, a great rhythm.
NIIVA is a stylized snippet of my last name which is “Geneva”. I wanted something short and sweet, but strong and present.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Friends’. Is there a story behind it?
A: For sure. Most of my serious relationships have started off in friendship first, and especially my current one – we were very close friends for about a year before these feelings kind of hit me out of nowhere. It was scary and exciting and frustrating and everything at once, because this person checked all my boxes for what I want in a partner, but at the same time it’s a risk to the friendship. So.. all those conflicting emotions I tried to capture in “Friends” – and kept it fun!
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I am definitely working on a follow up to my debut EP which is super exciting, and I can’t wait to share more new music soon.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I write in a very conversational way – so if you and I were to sit down and chat about falling in love with your friend, off the top of my head 😉 … the way I would speak it is how I would write it lyrically as well. So, I’d say my songs are kind of like intimate one-on-one conversations with the listener.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I would say expectations are a little dangerous; I don’t think I ever expect anything, but I am always excited about what I put out and the fulfillment comes from the feedback I get from other people when they listen and relate or connect to what I’m singing about. Of course I have goals for myself and my career, and I just work hard towards them. So far that’s brought me things I never even thought to want, which I’m super grateful for.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I usually start lyrically. My notes app is full of one liners or even just titles that I’ve jotted down. Sometimes – usually when I can’t sleep – I’ll write whole paragraphs of word vomit. Inspiration comes from my own life, from friends’ experiences, sometimes even from movies or books. Then when I get in a session, and the instrumentation starts forming, I add melodies and phrasing, and mold the words into a full song.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: One of the scariest decisions for me was to quit the band I was in, and pursue a solo career because I just didn’t know if I was good enough alone, without band mates to share the load of songwriting, of performing on stage, of planning and executing, etc. One thing I’m really grateful for is that I didn’t let the fear of not being good enough stop me from trying. It’s not my job to decide whether or not I’m “good enough” at anything, it’s anti-productive. Just do it – Nike knows what’s up.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: There are a few things that come to mind, but a very proud moment as a songwriter was when I was invited to a writing camp for SM Entertainment in Seoul, and a song I wrote with Ella Isaacson and Omega called “Black Mamba” was picked as the debut single for the label’s new girl group aespa. We broke quite a few records with the song, and then topped a couple Billboard charts with the album, so needless to say it was a dream and I could not be more proud to have been a part of it.
