Q&A: Nikki Silva Gets “Real” With Vulnerability and Soul in Her New Single
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
Rising NYC artist Nikki Silva has once again demonstrated her knack for connecting with listeners on an emotional and personal level. Her latest single, "Real,” is a poignant and beautifully-composed ballad that shines a light on vulnerability, resilience, and the yearning for authenticity in a chaotic world. Silva’s ability to blend multiple genres into her soundscape makes her an artist who transcends conventional boundaries, and "Real" is a testament to her musical evolution.
"Real" is an intimate journey, driven by Silva’s soulful, evocative voice and an understated acoustic backdrop. It draws the listener into a reflective space, capturing the universal experience of grappling with life’s uncertainties. Silva peels back layers of the facade in the lyrics to reveal a raw honesty that resonates deeply.
This heartfelt track showcases her ability to marry vulnerability with strength, a duality that forms the core of her artistry. It’s a stark contrast to her previous release, “psycho gf,” a fierce and fiery anthem bursting with energy and defiance. While “psycho gf” channels intense emotions through bold and electrifying production, "Real" slows things down, creating a contemplative space for listeners to process their feelings. This juxtaposition highlights Silva’s versatility and her skill in navigating the complexities of human emotion.
Nikki Silva’s music draws inspiration from a wide array of artists and genres, crafting a unique sound that defies categorization. Her work is often described as a fusion of the gritty, rebellious edge of Gwen Stefani and Joan Jett with the polished, cinematic allure of modern pop icons like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan. However, Silva’s artistry goes beyond imitation; she weaves these influences into a sonic tapestry that is distinctly her own.
"Real" amplifies her signature style: a balance of sharp-edged authenticity and melodic beauty. The song’s cinematic quality and introspective depth make it feel like an emotional soundtrack for anyone navigating the highs and lows of life.
Nikki Silva’s musical talents are complemented by her achievements in other creative domains. As a musician, actress, director, and advocate, Silva’s artistic reach is broad and impactful. Notable highlights include her role in the feature film Our Lady Of Queens, for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the 2024 Chelsea Film Festival, and her years as the lead singer of reggae-rock band The Big Happy.
Silva’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond the arts. She founded The Exceptional Pageant, a nonprofit organization empowering individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This passion for inclusivity and self-expression is a recurring theme in her work, further endearing her to a devoted and diverse audience.
Currently collaborating with producer Teddy Kumpel (known for his work with Feist, Anchorman, and Nine Inch Nails) on her debut solo LP, Nikki Silva is poised to make a lasting impact on the music scene. Her ability to blend genres, coupled with her fearless exploration of emotion and authenticity, sets her apart as one of NYC’s most exciting rising stars.
"Real" not only solidifies Silva’s reputation as a compelling storyteller and genre-bending artist, but also hints at the boundless potential of her future projects. Whether through her music, her performances, or her advocacy, Silva continues to carve out a space that is unapologetically her own, inviting the world to join her on this exhilarating journey. With Nikki Silva, what’s “Real” is the promise of an artist who dares to push boundaries and touch hearts—one song at a time.
Luna sat down with Nikki Silva to discuss her musical journey, influences, and the creative process behind her latest single “Real”.
LUNA: Thank you for joining us at Luna! Our readers are excited to learn more about you and your music. For those who may be new to your work, could you share some of the main influences and inspirations behind your unique sound and artistic style?
SILVA: My dad is a musician/songwriter. He taught me four chords on the piano when I was eight and I would go on to write dozens of songs for years with just those four chords. I take inspo from a wide range of artists… from Kurt Cobain to Nicki Minaj. I wrote a lot of poetry growing up, so I always felt very connected to hip-hop music. NAS and Eminem and then as I got older, I found Jon Bellion. He really changed my whole outlook on music and made me want to take music more seriously. When I listened to his album Human Condition I thought, THAT is the kind of music I want to make.
LUNA: Congratulations on the release of “Real”. The song has such an intimate and heartfelt tone. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and what it represents for you?
SILVA: My approach to life is very “don't take it too seriously” but the truth is, serious shit happens. Dark people exist, unforeseen and tragic events occur, sickness attacks…and one simply cannot be laughing all the time. “Real” is me reflecting on the darker parts of life, the fact that life is way bigger than me, and humans need each other for support and for love. Especially when the serious stuff goes down.
LUNA: The song contrasts with your previous single “psycho gf.” How do you approach creating tracks with such different emotional and sonic landscapes?
SILVA: I write what I feel, what I experience, and what I observe. And that is sometimes a toxic relationship or sometimes an introspective moment of realness.
LUNA: What do you think “Real” says about navigating authenticity in today’s noisy, complex world?
SILVA: Sometimes it is easier to be what everyone wants you to be, especially as an actress. Give me a script and my job is to make it seem real. But to be stripped of character and to be vulnerable in the real circumstances of life takes a lot of self-work and facing hard truths, which I am still learning to do.
LUNA: You’ve been described as blending the grit of rock with the allure of pop. How did you find your sonic identity, and which artists have influenced your style?
SILVA: The producer I am working with for “psycho gf,” “Real” and the rest of my unreleased album is Teddy Kumpel. He plays the guitar for Joe Jackson, he’s sung backup for Nine Inch Nails and his resume is extensive from classic rock, funk, everything. He has helped me to dig into the rock sounds of my childhood. We pull a lot of influence from one of my favorite artists of all time, Prince. Also, my dad is a rockstar. I grew up on Nirvana and Led Zeppelin. Then later in life, I found bands like Rage Against The Machine and RHCP, which are probably my favorite bands to-date. Then, of course, you have artists like Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus who influenced modern girl pop in me. More recently, I’ve really fallen in love with Sabrina Carpenter. With her lyrics and her vibe, I feel like we could be best friends.
LUNA: Can you talk about your experience transitioning from being the lead singer of a reggae-rock band to finding your voice as a solo artist?
SILVA: When I was growing up, I was always “the writer,” “the actress,” “the dancer”…but never “the singer.” I don’t really think I understood how to use my singing voice. When I started The Big Happy with my two friends, I was doing more backup vocals and raps and I had to take singing lessons to really learn how to sing. The Big Happy was like training wheels, learning about recording professionally and touring with no money. It was so much fun being with other passionate dreamers but when you put 5 different personalities together, things get rocky. It's hard enough being in a relationship with one person, imagine being in one with five and throwing creativity in the mix. We did a good job but at the end of the day, we had different visions and different sounds we all wanted to explore. I took a year off and did some features and worked with some rappers and pop artists before I really understood what kind of music I wanted to make for myself.
LUNA: The juxtaposition of grit and cinematic quality in your music is striking. How do you balance raw authenticity with polished artistry?
SILVA: I try to just write what I want to hear and what I like. My music is my brain spilled out into frequencies that the ear can hear. That's why my songs are probably “too long” or have weird stops or silly skits - because I do not follow any rules when I make music.
LUNA: As an actress, director, and musician, how do these different creative outlets feed into each other? Do they overlap in unexpected ways?
SILVA: I find myself feeding one with the other constantly. In my music video for “psycho gf” I got to direct an entire vision whilst acting out 24 of my favorite horror films and singing along to my lyrics. It was one of the funniest experiences of my life.
LUNA: Many listeners resonate with the themes of resilience and vulnerability in your music. How do you hope your songs impact those who hear them?
SILVA: The most frustrating feeling is being misunderstood. If I can help someone to feel understood, that is my hope. You are not alone. The misfits, the weirdos, the overthinkers, the lovers, the givers, I am here and I am writing for us.
LUNA: You’ve accomplished so much already—from being a Best Actress nominee to founding The Exceptional Pageant. What are your aspirations for this next chapter in your music career?
SILVA: I want to continue to give and not get too caught up in myself. This is hard because as an artist, there are the photoshoots and the lyric videos and it could easily become very “me me me” - I want to try and merge my philanthropy with my music.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned working with producer Teddy Kumpel on your debut LP. How has this collaboration influenced your sound?
SILVA: Teddy is the absolute best. He really lets me explore ALL of my ideas. No matter how weird or silly, he will do it. We also have a lot in common and have dealt with a lot of the same life pains so we relate and vibe very seamlessly. I am lucky to be able to work with someone who has so much experience and who has seen it all. We almost always agree on what we like/don’t like in the music. Teddy is by far the best guitar player I have ever met. He is groovy and goofy just like me so we laugh and have a lot of fun creating together.
LUNA: What can fans expect from your upcoming debut LP? Are there any themes or sounds you’re particularly excited to explore?
SILVA: I’m excited for people to hear how I merge my rap verses into these songs. There’s one song where I scream my head off and Teddy goes heavy metal with the guitar. We explore some fun pop, folk pop, and even Latin pop. Although the styles of the songs are different, I think they string together really nicely and tell the story of a girl who isn’t giving up. Who needs therapy, sure, but who is working on herself, running away from toxicity, and in the end, will use everything she has left to keep pedaling? Fans can expect pure Nikki in my upcoming debut LP. It’s just all me.
