The minute Nina mentioned we should meet at Piano’s for the interview, I knew we’d get along. Nina Yasmineh describes her herself as a “synth-pop, singer-songwriter,” which is pretty accurate. The catchy beats from her songs, especially my favorite “Prophecy,” (seriously, go check it out) and her creativity is what intrigued me most about her. Then I got to know her a little bit and realized she may be the full package. What do you think?
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P&W: Was there a certain moment when you realized this is what you wanted to do?
Nina: I’ve always been in love with the idea of pursing a music career. When I was a little kid, there were other things, too. I wanted to do it all, but “I want to be a pop star,” was at the top of my list. Now, I just want to play my music and see where it goes. My mom is a musician in a rock band and she’s the one that nudged me to start writing songs, so I did.
P&W: Your mom is in a band? That’s badass! Is that like competition?
Nina: No! It’s a good thing we do different styles of music.
P&W: How’s your song writing process?
Nina: Whenever inspiration strikes. I’ve never been that person who could write a song in like 5 minutes or a song every night. I could force myself to do that, but it wouldn’t come from anything.
P&W: How’s Minneapolis different from NYC? I know you moved here a little while back for school, but is the music scene similar?
Nina: Music scene in Minneapolis… what to say about it? It’s going to sound like I’m talking bad about Minneapolis, but I’ve always been a fan of pop music, which is not really the Minneapolis scene. I don’t know how to describe it. Have you ever heard of the band Howler? Well, like that. They like rock, and don’t really branch out, but it’s ok. They are Minneapolis proud. I like NYC because there is so much more going on all the time.
P&W: How long have you been here?
Nina: It’s been 5 years already! I went to NYU and graduated like a year and a half ago.
P&W: What’s it like being a grown up now?
Nina: It’s good. I’m doing what I want to do and I’m liking it, well besides having to pay rent at the end of the month and thinking, “Oh! Shit is that going to happen?” That’s like a real thing. I’ve been recording since I graduated though and performed live a lot last year. I took a year off from performing, but I put out 2 EP’s in the same year.
P&W: “Dark Heart” and “Finest Hour” were released in the same year? That’s awesome! I love the packaging, too!
Nina: Yea! The finest hour one I recorded all myself on my laptop with like garage band. So, it was somewhat easy because I could just record whenever I had time.
P&W: So, you’re always really fashionable! Do you have fashion inspirations or icons?
Nina: Why thank you! I’m always walking around NYC going to different places or going to work. So, I like to wear stuff that’s easy to live in, but has an edge. I look at a lot of fashion blogs. I don’t like to be high maintenance and wear heels all the time or anything like that, plus I’m tall.
P&W: Do you have a favorite song you like to perform live?
Nina: For a while last year I did an acoustic version of “Superbass.” That was fun to see people’s reaction.
P&W: I need to hear that! Do you have any shows coming up?
Nina: I do and I’m pretty excited for it! It’s on January 8th at Pete’s Candy Store. It’s FREE! I want people to be there!
P&W: Last question…. It’s very important! Do you like pancakes and do you like whiskey?
Nina: Of course! Pancakes are good and I can do any type of whiskey with ginger!
Article by: Kayla Klein
