Nataliya Nikitenko
What a beautiful way to end the year with this interview.
Today, Nataliya Nikitenko releases her debut single “Oil & Water”, and what a magical voice she has. And on top of that, she is a brilliant songwriter. “Oil & Water” is pure, honest, emotional and I believe it is the perfect introduction to her music. I honestly imagine her performing this song in front of a prestigious award ceremony show and blowing everyone’s mind. Her voice will lead her to bigger things, and I can’t wait to see that.
I’m sure she will offer more incredible songs in 2021. She’s an artist to watch for sure.
But for now, make sure to stream “Oil & Water” and support her :)
Photo credit: Norman Yap
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I was born in Ukraine (I’m fluent in Russian), raised in Australia, and now live in Los Angeles. I have been singing, dancing and acting since I was 4. I was a national ballroom dance champion by the time I was 8 years old. Around that same time I started singing, acting and taking piano lessons. I then joined a performing arts school and competed in singing competitions, sang on telethons, and performed around Australia with the school. I wrote my first few original songs with the producer Audius Mutawarira when I was 13 and just kept writing after that. Then, as a teenager, I was cast as a series regular on the national children’s television show, “Trapped,” and the follow up series "Castaway.”
All of this led to my decision to move to LA and I became more and more involved in the music scene and got signed to Kobalt as a songwriter. Since signing to Kobalt, I’ve written songs like “No More Sad Songs (feat. Machine Gun Kelly)” by Little Mix, “Heavy” by Anne-Marie, “Streets Don’t Love You” by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, “Expensive (ft. Daya Jack)” by Tori Kelly. Singing has always been and will always be my first love, so I am beyond grateful and excited to be at a stage in my career where I get to create, sing, and share my own music. It means so much to me!
When did you start singing and writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I started singing when I was 8 years old and never stopped. I wrote my first few songs at the age of 13 with a producer.
What did you grow up listening to?
My favorite type of music has always been 60s and 70s soul. I specifically love male soul singers that sing about love and pain. It automatically draws me in. I love Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Ben E King, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Percy Sledge. For that reason I also resonate with a lot of current artists like The Weekend, Adele, and John Legend.
Growing up, what were your favorite records to sing along to?
Trilogy by The Weeknd and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac are some of my favorites.
When did you realize you could sing?
When I was 8 years old and I’d just started singing lessons — I could sing “A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin actually kinda well!
At what point did you decide to fully become an artist and release your original music?
I've always been an artist. Songwriting opened up a lot of doors, helped me hone my craft, and exposed me to so many different genres. I met so many incredibly talented people in this process and I almost got signed a few times. But, timing is everything, and I needed the life experience first, especially the last year and a half, to grow into the person I am now and to be able to create the songs I am creating, only now, for myself.
How would you define Nataliya Nikitenko, the artist?
Cinematic, sultry, and melancholic.
"Oil & Water" is your debut single - how does it feel like to release your debut single?
It makes me feel whole. I’m very proud of this song.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this particular single? Who helped you create it?
Well, first off, I feel I have to mention that I was originally making R&B music and shopping it around to record labels. I kept almost getting signed but it just wasn’t working out. The energy was off. Then, one night, a guy I was on and off with who really understands me, had a long conversation about life, music, and our careers. It made me realize that I wasn’t making music that was authentic to me. I had a big epiphany and I remembered this one song I had written and reached out to my mentor, Joleen Belle, who had written it with me. We had written a song called “Today” (which is what “Oil & Water” was called in its demo form) a long time ago. When we reconnected and went back to listen to it, we were like, WOW, there it is! It just so happened to align lyrically with a lot of what I was going through at the time, even more so than it had when I originally wrote it. We re-wrote a little bit of the song, re-recorded some of the vocals, and then had some super talented musicians record the violin part, mix, and master it. I’m so grateful for everyone involved in helping this song come to live. What a journey the song has had!
What made you want to release "Oil & Water" as your debut single?
Oil & Water is a bittersweet song about the beginning of the end of a love story. Oil and water will always separate. Lyrically, it's exactly what I am going through personally, so I felt I needed to release it now.
What do you like the most about this song?
The song’s journey, the way the piano is played, I'm really proud of my vocals, and the strings are so moving.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I staged a set in my apartment where my photographer friend took some shots of me without the intention of them being for single or album artwork, but the picture grabbed my attention and it felt right as the cover.
What is your goal for this debut single?
I’m just a girl sharing my experience, pain and vulnerability in song form. And I hope that if there's someone out there who might be going through the same thing, that they can relate and maybe not feel so alone.
What appeals to you the most about making music?
Music has been my outlet since I was 8. Through all the pain, through all the struggles, it has been there for me. And to me, songwriting is like speaking another language and inspiration is being in harmony with my higher power.
What does songwriting make you feel?
It’s really the opposite, for me. It’s what I am feeling or going through that I need to write or sing about. It’s a very therapeutic process.
As a songwriter, what tips would you give to young songwriters?
Three things:
1) Fall in love with the process. For a long time I was too busy trying to quickly reach the destination and it brought me a lot of insecurity and discontent.
2) Don’t compare! Compare and despair, as they say.
3) Stay in your lane. You know what is authentic to you.
4) NEXT! If something falls through, onto the next opportunity. Next, next, next! Stay focused on what’s ahead, don’t look in the rearview mirror, and keep looking forward.
What major life lesson have you learned this year?
Life is a gift. That's why they call it the present.
What do you want to accomplish professionally and personally?
I want to make albums, win GRAMMYs, act in films — I was an actress before I did music professionally and I miss it — and start a family
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
It's all about perception. Life is beautiful.
What message do you want to give to the world?
Return to love, return to the present moment.
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