Music > Interviews

Macie Nyah

19/04/24

Social media: an incredible tool for allowing creatives to connect across the globe, yet many of us are aware of the darker side this platform holds.  
Too often, the media expects us to conform to their abundance of expectations, labelling anybody who defies following these as an ‘outsider’. 
After ‘doomscrolling’ after what feels like hours on end, it can feel as if our lives are monochrome compared to the rose- tinted feed of social media.  
This needs to end. Social media deserves to be treated as a powerful platform which we can use to express our individuality, character and personality! 
Next Friday, Macie Nyah will be releasing her first single of 2024, ‘Alien’, as she marks the shift to a new era of ‘Bubblegum pop under the table’, allowing us all to celebrate the traits and interests which makes us, us! 
Last week, I caught up with Macie to discover her journey as an artist, her creative process, as well as how she is feeling ahead of her new exciting era of music. 
 
When did your journey as a musician begin?  
I have always been musically inclined. I started out in Musical Theatre, before deciding that commercial music was more my interest and passion as I was going into college. I attended the Access Creative College in Norwich and this is where I began to find my identity as a musician.  
 
What inspired you to pursue your new ‘Darker Bubblegum Pop’ era?  
We wrote the first track from these releases at the end of 2022 and we left with a demo that was just naturally darker, but it still felt like me. I think the shift has come through my own life experiences becoming darker and harder as I grow as an adult, and also I’ve been influenced by what I was listening to. For example, people like Tate McRae and Dylan.  
 
Describe your creative process!  
Firstly I love creating with others, rather than solely by myself. I have a huge notes page on my phone with song concept ideas, and then I’ll choose one of these to run with before going into a session. I’m a bit of a generic girly, I typically like to start by writing the verse, then pre, and then chorus and personally feel it helps to shape the song more easily, however there have definitely been times where we’ve written to chorus first and worked around that which is also fun.  
 
What impact do you aim for your music to have on your listeners?  
First and foremost, I always want it to bring them a great sense of fun and joy to listen to! I love to take real experiences that I’ve had, and turn them into upbeat bops whether they’re sad, or not, and so I also really hope that people can find bits of themselves in there to relate to and realise that there is nothing they are alone in. Whilst having a great time listening to it!!!  
 
What do you think is the biggest pressure you face, as an upcoming/ aspiring musician (and how do you tackle this)?  
Honestly, and currently this is something I’m struggling with, is seeing a success in the future. It is SO hard now for artists to make a living solely by being an artist. Everyone that I know has a day job. I work Monday-Friday, 9-5 and then on the weekends and in the evenings I work on my music. We literally never stop working and it’s definitely not sustainable, and that’s what scares me. Not knowing when/if I’ll ever be able to make it work. I just try my best to remain positive and have promised myself that I will only keep doing it as long am I’m loving doing it. And, currently, that still stands! 
 
How do you stay motivated to produce content and music?  
This is such a difficult one because constantly creating content to promote your music and to be seen is the new normal and I’ve gone through so many mixed feelings about it. I’m currently in my best mindset about it and that’s just to not put so much pressure on it, only put out things that feel authentic to me, and if they do well, they do well, but if they don’t, there’s always the next video!  
 
What is your proudest moment during your journey as a musician so far?  
I think it has to be this next body of music. I’ve seen a real progression in myself as an artist, and as a person. I’ve found a creative team that I truly love and together we’ve made something that I believe is fresh and unique and I am so proud of it. I can’t wait for it to be out there in the world!!  
 
How important do you believe it is to support the local music scene?  
SO important!! Because, most of the time, these will be the people and places that gave you a shot and instilled faith in you in the first place. The local music scene in Norwich, especially seeing as I’m now living in London, feels like a safe space for me.  
 
What power do you believe music holds?  
I was actually just thinking about this today as Angelle at BBC Introducing played my track and said “it’s like sad and fun at the same time… but that’s the power of music isn’t it”. Music that was written from one person’s perspective and then put out into a world of billions, is ultimately going to create so many different stories and impacts, many of which that are probably different from what was originally intended and I think that is so cool.  
 
What advice would you give to any aspiring musicians?  
I’d say you have to truly believe in yourself, because unfortunately they’ll be so many more no’s than yes’ and it’s about being able to pick yourself up after and say ‘I am good enough, because I believe that I am, and I love what I do and so I will keep going’ and one day that self belief will attract outsiders too. And this is a journey I am still on myself.  
 
Have you got any plans for 2024? 
I’m releasing 4 singles this year!! The first one being ALIEN which is coming out on the 26th of April. I’m really hoping to play some more shows with my band as well because these tunes live are hitting so hard!! 
 
And, if you want to keep up to date with the work (and amazing music!) of Macie, then you can check out her Instagram (@macienyah)!