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: Hey, thank you, and I’m happy to answer. I moved to London almost 5 years ago. Before that, I had an active career in music in Hungary. (And before that, I worked in PR and marketing, and sang in 2 projects in the evenings.) I’ve always had an interest in performing arts, writing, singing, dancing, acting, modeling, and visual arts. I remember sending a handwritten fan letter to a Hungarian musician expressing my own aspirations to become a musician, and he (or probably someone from his team) replied and wished me good luck. I also have memories of my parents finding cassette recordings of me singing. I grew up in the countryside and never quite fit in. I moved to Budapest at 21, and while studying economics and marketing, I started singing and writing lyrics in my first band. Music gradually became the focal point of my life. The real turning point was winning a highly esteemed competition for musicians in Hungary, followed by being fired from my job shortly after. I shifted my focus to music while doing freelance marketing jobs. I formed my own band afterward, and although we had numerous gigs, TV interviews, radio plays, and both small and significant successes, something always held me back from progressing further. I relied too heavily on the band, and I had to decline many opportunities. As the sound I was pursuing became clearer, working with others became increasingly challenging. Band members kept quitting as their roles were somewhere between creative collaborators and session musicians. In retrospect, I would summarize by saying that everything happened to lead me to believe that I can do this on my own, and if anything goes wrong, I have no one to blame but myself, and my success only depends on me.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Nowadays, I don’t listen to much music as I’m deeply engrossed in creating my own world, writing and producing songs, and preparing for performances. I draw inspiration from every tiny noise, and when I do listen to music, I often come up with at least one vocal idea for each track. I try not to get lost in new ideas every day, as I have a bunch of existing half-demos that need finishing. However, occasionally, especially when self-doubt creeps in, I enjoy listening to Portishead to reassure myself about the value of my unconventional or surprising ideas. I also explore playlists in various genres, but it’s challenging to find something that doesn’t remind me of the 90s’ or 2000s’ “big ones.” My taste isn’t exclusively limited to trip-hop; I’m also into artists like Erykah Badu or moody electro-indie artists such as Låpsley or Rosie Lowe.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Nównøis’?
A: My biggest inspiration was Alanis Morissette. Her song and video “Ironic” drove me crazy when I was 11. Slowly, she took over my life, and by the age of 15, I hardly listened to anything else. She became my singing teacher, in a way. I spent years learning her songs, deciphering her lyrics, and exploring the beautiful vocal harmonies. Listening to and singing her songs felt like a confessional where you didn’t just whisper but screamed out your sins and found relief afterwards. That’s my mission: to provide a similar emotional experience for people who listen to my music. Nobody ever compared me to Alanis Morissette, but now that I’ve confessed, it might explain some characteristics of my sound. As for the second part of the question, the name Nównøis is a stylized version of “no noise,” giving it a new meaning as “now noise.” I sample everything, so it makes sense. I used to perform under my stylized original name (NAGYEDi), but it took me a couple of years to find a moniker that resonated with me. The idea actually came from my husband, who is a visual artist and still plays a significant role in the project. Pav Pav is responsible for my artist photos and many other visual creations, including the music video for my first single under the new name, “For Tomorrow”.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Incomplete’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Ah, yes, there is always a story behind my songs. I wrote “Incomplete” during a songwriting challenge. One week, I struggled with intense lower back pain that slowly spread throughout my body. I feared being diagnosed with something more serious, like my mother who has Multiple Sclerosis. As I could barely move, my mind dwelled on this concern, so I wrote “Incomplete.” It’s a deeply personal song that I had to listen to with an outsider’s ears to realize that the origin of pain doesn’t matter. Whether it’s physical or emotional, we can all feel the same, and it can be as terrifying and paralyzing as I described in the song. Here, I’d like to mention Matt Collier who created the beautiful cover art for “Incomplete”, and Jose Manuel Cubides who conducted the final mix and master of the song.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Absolutely! I’ll be releasing a new single at the end of July titled “Floating.” It’s slightly different from my previously released tracks. Those who follow me on social media may have heard a snippet of it. Following that, I plan to release an EP accompanied by live session videos in September. This upcoming EP has two distinct features: the lyrics (if any) are even more philosophical and abstract than usual, and I’m keeping the demo vocals, “mistakes,” and experimental lo-fi elements while maximizing their potential. There’s something special about the demos and first takes, a perfection found in imperfection.
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: The more I talk about it, the clearer it becomes why I intuitively approach production in certain ways. My music is experimental and slightly different from most of what’s out there, so people need to be open to an unusual sound. However, it’s not experimental enough to be classified as non-easy-listening; it still incorporates catchy melodies. A musician friend once described my songs as private trips that start at the beginning and end with the song’s conclusion. In between, it’s like being on a special island alone. I couldn’t agree more. I believe my music is very introspective. While some may perceive my songs as sad or melancholic, they carry deeper meanings and offer lessons on overcoming the mental obstacles we create for ourselves. Sometimes, it’s just the rhythm that makes me dance, and I hope to find people who also feel the internal drive to move to it. I refer to it as “marching music” due to its beats and the fierceness in the lyrics.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Both. I’ve been singing, writing songs, and expressing myself through music my entire life, and I’ve never felt that it wasn’t worth it. It’s simply what comes naturally to me. However, I also have big plans, and I’m just at the beginning of something new. So, I do have expectations for something more.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: It depends on the song. Most of the time, I start with a melodic idea for vocals and lyrics, but lately, I’ve been exploring different approaches. I find inspiration in everything, from accidentally recorded voice memos of my son to everyday noises I encounter in the kitchen, which I turn into rhythmic beats. I also take a more classical approach, such as playing around with chords on the keyboard or guitar. I used to believe that a song needed lyrics and structure, so I sometimes got stuck because all I wanted to convey was a powerful eight-line verse. Nowadays, I don’t mind as much, as I enjoy experimenting with the instrumental elements. You’ll hear this approach in my upcoming single that I mentioned earlier.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: Dealing with others’ judgment for not being an educated musician has been a significant challenge. Maybe it was all in my head? I’ve played with amazing musicians who were sometimes unable to think outside the box, embrace disharmony, or to just listen to what I’m humming or clapping, so we didn’t always speak the same language. It had a profound impact on me and held me back from sharing my ideas or improvising in front of others for years. However, it has also motivated me to push forward. I’ve started letting go of these expectations and relying on my instincts. I’ve also picked up books or instruments, attempting to understand what I’m naturally doing.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Overcoming our own fears stands as the ultimate challenge and victory. Triumphing over my nearly two-decade-long limiting beliefs and believing that it’s never too late to become the musician I want to be is a significant milestone for me. Being able to create music, having a clear vision, and having the courage to start over again are accomplishments I consider massive. Additionally, I have a small but extraordinary and growing group of supporters and fans who give me strength to accept the “incomplete” artist who I am.
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