‘5 Questions With’: Noha Saré
“I’ve learned to ask myself questions; “What is it that I really want? Am I just living up to the expectations of others or am I creating my own path?”
Noha Saré is the 24-year-old Amsterdam-based singer who stands out for her powerful, yet sensitive voice. The rising alt-pop singer-songwriter recently released her brand new second single, ‘Lost’, lifted from her forthcoming EP due later this year. Fusing together her subtle electronic stylings over a soulful vocal delivery, ‘Lost’ is accompanied by visually striking, immaculately choreographed visuals which showcase her vulnerability and ultimate triumph. On the new single Noha explains: “Everybody has their own demons and it’s okay to talk about it. Most everyone has struggled with not knowing who they are, what they really want in life, or where they’re headed. I got better at finding peace with who I am, including all the ups and downs, by accepting that it is okay to be scared and insecure and it’s okay to not know where you’re heading”. From the impactful visuals we, the viewer, are given an enchanting swaying between pleasure and pain, past and future, hope and disbelief which is the central theme of ‘Lost’ – “it seems to be somewhere between a dream and reality, showing the obscure side of my world”.
Like the artist herself, this new single draw on various genres, Noha’s music cannot be classified into one specific category and tends to swing like her moods – loving to play with contradictions in her personality and likes to dive into them and explore them. With a truly intriguing sound and a bright career on the horizon, we’re placing the songstress as definitely one to watch for 2021.
Read the full interview below…
Words & Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hi Noha, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into music? Who were you most inspired by growing up?
NS: My dad is a musician, and music was always in and around the house. My brother and I grew up with music from soul divas such as Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner, but also Mozart and The Beatles.
One of my earliest memories is my dad playing Aretha’s “Natural Woman” on the piano. I was about 6 years old, and I just had to master that song. It was way over my head, but I love my dad for always taking me seriously and for playing the song over and over again.
EQ: What has your journey in the industry been like thus far, have you learned any notable lessons (good or bad) that you hold on to?
NS: Well, I feel like a rookie because “Lost” is our second release [laughs], but I think the music industry, the business part, is really tough. And things like social media can make me quite insecure, that’s why I’m so thankful for my team; to work with people who I love. Especially my brother Marius (songwriter & co-producer) and our producer Tom Bachmann – they keep me grounded and remind me to stay true to myself. I’ve learned to ask myself questions; “What is it that I really want? Am I just living up to the expectations of others or am I creating my own path?”
“…I think almost everyone has different faces and multiple voices to listen to. With ‘Lost’ I try to explore these different faces. The song is about trial and error, hope and disbelief.”
EQ: Your new single and visuals ‘Lost’ is out now, congratulations. Your voice is phenomenal, it’s ethereal, soulful, sultry, and works perfectly on this romantic and sensual track. What was your inspiration behind the single and visuals?
NS: You make me blush [laughs]. Thank you so much! One day Marius sent me a sick demo version of a beat when I was biking home, and I couldn’t stop listening to it. It was in the middle of the night and I recorded some voice memos with nonsensical lyrics. The next few days we finished the idea of the song.
And as for the lyrics; I was in a somewhat darker space at the time. I think almost everyone has different faces and multiple voices to listen to. With ‘Lost’ I try to explore these different faces. The song is about trial and error, hope and disbelief.
After we finished the song, I had endless conversations with Izak Berman, the director of the video (& best friend). I’m so lucky to work with him because we know each other through and through. He translated my internal fight into an oscillation between pleasure and pain, past and future, hope and disbelief. We wanted to show the obscure side of my world. I’ve known Izak for more than 12 years now and I don’t know how he does it, but he keeps blowing me away!
EQ: You discuss the meaning of ‘Lost’ being that everyone battles with their own demons, would you say music has been a form of escape and a way for you to find yourself?
NS: Well…for a long time I believed music was an escape, but eventually it turned out to be more of a tool. In a way, I got forced to explore my demons and to ask myself questions.
EQ: Your debut EP will be released later this year – we’re excited to hear it. What can we expect from the project and what do you hope fans and listeners take away from it?
NS: I love to experiment and challenge myself. To explore different styles, different sides of me, and different colors of my voice. So, a bit of that with a theatrical edge on top. And well, I know it’s kind of cheesy, but I hope people can relate and, in some way, regain strength from it.
YouTube/Noha Saré
Stream ‘Lost’ HERE
Follow Noha Saré on socials:
Instagram: @noha_sare
Facebook: Noha Sare Music