Nishy “Memories From A Vinyl”
Memories From A Vinyl feels like a 16-minute sonic film that makes you forget about time and space. In between time and space, Nishy’s pulsing lo-fi aesthetic evokes nostalgia, while the hazy, floral soundscapes in the EP spiral disillusion and awakening with a touch of melancholia. Brewing an intimate, illusive late-night ambiance, her sexy, multi-lingual dialogues allure you with hushy whispers, late-night phone calls, and unapologetic confessions that dissolve into the airy, romantic atmosphere that is both smoothly luscious and rough-edged at the same time.
The melodies in the songs are deliciously addictive. As a debut release, Nishy certainly leaves a memorable impression, but Memories From A Vinyl is more than just a collection of songs. Nishy builds a world in Memories From A Vinyle with non-linear storytelling.
It feels so surreal, yet at the same time, disillusioned. Memories From A Vinyl revolves around a journey into a woman’s inner world—her sensuality and innocence, her strength and determination are all intertwined together. The EP is no doubt intimate, not just the raw-edged intricacy in its production, but the honesty and depth of the character. From the perspective of pain and struggle, Nishy explores the topic of self-worth, which makes listeners feel every slice of her heart pulse when the woman in Memories From A Vinyl share her voice.
Read our interview with the artist below where we talk about all things Memories From A Vinyl.
Punk Head: I love the intimate yet immersive atmosphere that you draw listeners into in Memories From A Vinyl. When did you first have the idea for the EP and how has this idea evolved through time?
Nishy: As far as I can remember, I think the first idea of Memories From A Vinyl came to me just before the lockdown in March 2020. I was inspired by the people around me and what they were going through at the time. Then one night, I felt a strange energy in the air and I couldn’t sleep at all. So, I put on some sweet Lofi-type beats and ASMR to sleep. Then I heard the sound of a vinyl scratching and in a flash, it came to me. I had like a vision in my head. It was the story of a woman remembering her own worth thanks to a romantic disillusionment. Then I could hear the melody of “MMT” in my head with the lyrics. I already had other melodies for other songs before but I didn’t know they would fit this project. So, when I finished assembling all my ideas, Memories From A Vinyl was born.
Through time, I replaced some songs with new ones because this project evolved a lot. I’ve been working with my co-creator Aryh Love Baker. He allowed me to dive deeper into the artistic aspects of Memories From A Vinyl and worked on all the technical aspects. It took some time to develop this project because I was going through a hard time in my personal life. And because of the global situation we were living in, we had to work from home for the creative process. Sometimes it wasn’t very easy but it gave me the last narrative aspects to nurture my debut EP.
PH: What are you most proud of about this EP?
Nishy: Oh, I love the immersive atmosphere of the project. I wanted my music to sound cinematic. The feedback I've had confirm this, so I'm very happy with it. A lot of people who listened to Memories From A Vinyl told me that they love the sound of the spinning vinyl. So do I, because I think it’s a very soothing sound and it is also the main element of the Lofi Aesthetic which creates the immersive ambiance. Also, I believe that the way I added spoken verses, whether it is in “Hello? It’s me...,” “MMT” or “Phase,” reinforces the intimate atmosphere. So, I’m very proud that I was able to do that.
PH: Can you tell us more about you as an artist?
Nishy: Well, I was born in France but my parents are from Mauritius. So I grew up listening to various genres of music ranging from French Chanson to Bollywood music. Also during my teenage years, I listened to a lot of American music including Pop, Hip Hop, and R&b. But one day as I came home from school, I discovered Nina Simone and I felt a deep connection with Soul music and Jazz. From this day, I knew that music would be a great part of my life. So, I started writing poems around the age of 15 then my very first songs at the age of 18. I have always been inspired by everything around me including the people who crossed my path. Their stories would inspire me with songs in which I could explore their emotions. In the beginning, I would compose melodies on the guitar or the piano. Then later, I discovered Logic Pro X and I understood that I could take my compositions to another level thanks to music production. Which is great because it allows me to give a cinematic atmosphere to my songs. I love to turn human experiences into musical creations. When it comes to music, my favorite part is the creative process. This is why I consider myself a music creator.
PH: Who are your biggest inspirations?
Nishy: As I mentioned in the previous question, Nina Simone is definitely one of my biggest inspirations. I would also listen to a lot of Alicia Keys in my teenage years. But at the moment, I’d say British singer and her eponymous band Sade. I love their musical universe, the arrangements, the soft vocals, and the ambiance... For Memories From A Vinyl, Sade remained one of my biggest inspirations. I was also musically inspired by Selena Gomez and Sabrina Claudio. Because before the creation of this project, I used to listen to the album Rare from Selena Gomez and I discovered Sabrina Claudio with her song “Stand Still” and her album Truth Is. Also, I discovered the Lofi Aesthetic and listened to a lot of Lofi beats on YouTube. So, I have many inspirations and the artists I’ve named are the ones who musically accompanied me during the creative process for Memories From A Vinyl.
PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?
Nishy: Well… the one thing I’d like you to know is that it's been almost 3 years since I've heard the silence because I have tinnitus. This is the consequence of a noise trauma. I was working on the production of Phase which is the 4th track of my EP and I accidentally got hurt. I almost lost my hearing. But luckily, I got medical treatment in time and was able to fully recover my abilities after taking a break from my musical projects. It was a bit hard not to make music anymore because I felt like I was being deprived of what I loved doing the most: creating. But thankfully, all this was just a phase because now I can make music again while being careful. And I was finally able to release my EP Memories From A Vinyl last February. So today, I feel very grateful for everything because this experience allowed me to grow and evolve. This phase of my life taught me that no matter what is going on in life there is always hope. Always…
EP REVIEW: AVARAJ “OUTSIDE LOOKING IN”
Discovery
Avaraj is a keen observer with a sensitive, gentle heart. Like someone looking at the world from the outside, reflecting on the way each event tells us about ourselves and the world, she documented her truth and message into four songs which have become Outside Looking In. Each and every piece contains a truth or an experience that we could all relate to.
Avaraj is an artist that is hard to be defined. Inspired by a variety of styles and genres, her music conveys that experience into what it is naturally — the mixture of various styles that evokes nostalgic feelings as well as her unique imprint. Her music speaks of authenticity in its sonics as well as her lyricism. Simple and powerful with a light touch of production.
“Drift Apart” discusses the dynamic of toxic relationships. Inspired by personal experience and observation of those around her, the artist reflects on the true nature of the toxic relationships and the realization as she grew out of them. “Lost Hope” has a swishing, darker tone tied with the discussion of how faith and love connected to the concept of hope. Reflecting on the world like an outsider with her unique sensitivity, the lyrics speak the truth.
“Like Tattoos” discusses addiction and obsession that spread out in every corner of our lives and the way social media has isolated us from real physical connections in relatively playful sonics. “World So Cold” begins with an evocative, deep guitar riff, dives into loneliness, disconnection, and religion — when someone couldn’t reciprocate kindness; the way people use religion or God as an excuse to avoid substantial help. “World So Cold” is a song that sticks in your head.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: JŌVIKY “LONELY PHONE”
Staff Pick
Swirling siren in the background, the image of a busy, distant city comes to mind. Lo-fi ambient has a warm, obscure aroma; lush, surreal soundscape paints the artistic sonic ground for intimate storytelling. Created out of pure emotion and art, “Lonely Phone” depicts loneliness with tenderness and empathy.
In a beautiful, luminous downtempo texture, the song explores a vulnerable moment. The desperate act of finding solace and comfort in one’s phone is approached from an emotional standpoint, bringing attention to our generation's rising mental health problems.
Derived from Joviky’s usual style as a “rap/dance artist,” “Lonely Phone” is an exception and an artistic expansion to Joviky’s music vocabulary. “It felt as if there was some other entity writing and performing the song through me. This experience has changed the way I approach songwriting and honestly the way I view the world,” Joviky commented.
Although loneliness may not be one of your favorite feelings, it has been there accompanying us throughout some of the darkest, most vulnerable times. Joviky has channeled something deeply moving and beautiful through art and music, taking inspiration from an emotional moment.
PREMIERE: ADDEZINE “STAIRS”
New Music Friday
Absorbing influences from a wide range of music genres and styles, “Stairs” stands on its own, on edge, and in between. Exploring the feelings of an intense crush, the track by the UK-based artist, producer, Addezine is impressionistic and evocative.
Photo credit: Sophie Holden
Stunning, laid-back, and surreal, “Stair” swirls in its orange aura. Visible and invisible in the fog, the beauty of obscure revolves around its surreal landscape. A twanging motif behind Addezine’s whispery, ethereal voice brings a hypnotic, narcotic factor to the track. “Stair’ tunes into the longing of romance.
“Flashing lights bounce off your eyes, first face in the crowd when I walked in. Every room is full of life; when the walls are closing in, to the bottom of my glass I go, I couldn’t hold the weight of it.”
Poetic, romantic lyrics with raw, authentic expression. As if the instruments know his heart, they resonate in harmony with the chorus as Addezine dives into the heartache that comes with longing.
“I can’t tell you what I’m feeling.”
