Interview by Tyler Nicholas
Credit: Tzarina Nassor
Tzarina Nassor is a 21-year-old musician from London who is also currently studying at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She sat down with The Voiceless Youth on Friday to talk about her hobbies, love of music from an early age and her newest single: 'A Love Story Backwards'.
Thank you so much for allowing me to interview you today. So, before we begin, how are you? What have you been up to besides music and studying?
I've been good, just been at school really, doing lots of work and training. I've also seen lots of plays and stuff. How are you?
I'm well, I mean, this may come as a surprise to a lot of people but Tzarina and I have been family friends for over ten years now but, I never would've thought that she would be a musician. What inspired you to head down the musical route and become a musician?
I was going to go down a more academic route by studying law at university but I decided not to do it because I have always loved music, which sounds so cliche but I have. I remember when I first picked up a guitar, I strummed it until my thumb had a blister on it so then my family were insistent on getting me one. So, I got my first guitar when I was eight years old and I've been composing ever since. I was raised around lots of different music but I wouldn't call myself solely a musician, I'd say that I'm more of a creative because film, TV and music, combined, are my jam!
That's amazing. I am super proud of you Tzarina.
Thanks, I'm proud of you too!
I know that you have written your new single, 'A love Story Backwards' which is a beautifully written piece of music. How did you find writing it a year after your last single?
It's interesting because the releases have breaks between them but writing is often constant so, I have a backlog of songs written and semi-produced already, so, it's like what do I want to release now? or sometimes I will write something new and, I like this better than everything else, so I'll release it first. So, I feel like over Covid, our favourite thing, I spent a lot of time working out what my sound was, experimenting and I finally came to a point where I was just like, I know what I want to write about and what I don't. I just kind of got into a flow state and, 'A love story Backwards' was one of the products of that flow state and, it got a lot of good reception which, I wasn't expecting so, that's nice.
Credit: Spotify.
I also love your song, 'Carbon Copy', because it's quite intimate, and you become raw and vulnerable in the song. Can you tell us what it's about and if it signifies a difficult time in your life?
It's interesting because everyone I come across always loves it but I don't like it. I'm so glad that people like it because I wrote it for people to enjoy but I feel like I am so far removed from that now because it was so long ago and, I think when you spend a certain amount of time with a piece of music, it becomes almost irritable. Also, because I am a perfectionist, the growth that I've had from that song to now, I'm able to hear mistakes in the mixing, but people love it so, I am just going to leave it as it is. I was coming out of the end of quite a difficult time in my life, so I played with this idea of six by four being the dimensions of a photo, but then it could also be in terms of a rectangular space, a room so, it is quite a vulnerable song because I don't often let people into my space. I guess it was welcoming everyone into my space by using those analogies. You made me think about my song being vulnerable like that.
However, I want people to find their own interpretations in my songs.
My favourite song on this album is 'House on Fire', I could listen to it all day. Why did you decide to name it House On Fire?
That's a good question. The whole song is an analogy for lots of different things, but the interpretation that I got from the song is that the planet is heating up and the relationships between generations and the attitudes towards each other are negative. So I thought, if I just simplify it and make it a house, then most people would get it. I mean, you are going to look after your house and protect it, so that's why I named it that.
Name the best Venue that you have performed?
Wigmore Hall was one of the best experiences for me.
Wow, Wigmore Hall, that must've been such a surreal experience. What is your favourite song from your list of songs that you have written?
There are a lot of songs that I have written, and it changes from day to day, I mean, sometimes I don't like any of them. My favourite at the moment is: 'Quazor.' You were at my gig when I played it for the first time live. I love that song. It will be released soon.
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows?
I am a massive Marvel fan but, my favourite superhero is from D.C. It has to be Batman.
Me too! I have so much respect for Batman because he is a human compared to many other superheroes who are Gods or like people with radioactive superpowers, he fights amongst or against them shows real bravery and strength.
I am so glad you agree with me. Also, I have a soft spot for Villains like Loki and the Joker.
Last question, What would you say to the millions of young people that want to pursue a career in music?
You know when you've got something good so trust that, have faith in it, and keep in it. A lot can change in a year or two years, so don't be disheartened when things don't initially go your way, because as long as you continue, you will make progress, and you will look back and realise that you have developed quite a bit. Sometimes it can feel like you are hitting a brick wall, but continue and be consistent.
Get to know yourself and what type of music you want to do.
To download or listen to Tzarina Nassor's music, click the link below: Spotify here https://open.spotify.com/artist/53hgDSR2TnKjW6bJqB0OG8?si=krMrzrvIS1SMbnp8pP7WWA
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