INTERVIEW: noelle releases debut EP '30k': "I wanted the songs to be relatable so that my listeners know that they’re not alone."

Emerging Canadian R&B artist noelle has released her debut EP 30k. The six track release comprises her previous four singles and two new tracks ‘30k’ and ‘Hate That I Miss You’.

noelle was raised on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in Ontario. Growing up she was exposed to a wide variety of music, from Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan to the powwow drum and native wind flute of her Indigenous roots. Before she was even a teenager she began uploading cover versions to YouTube with her videos accumulating views in the hundreds of thousands. After completing high school in 2018, she signed a record deal with Canada’s Wax Records, one of Canada’s largest independent record label.

She released her first single in 2020 and last year started the journey that would lead to 30k with the release of four outstanding singles. noelle’s music is a mix of pop and R&B and has a remarkable voice that can flex from high and delicate to smoky and sultry right through to full-blooded and confident.

The EP has a focus on noelle’s experience with love and relationships and while they remain her personal, authentic stories still have an immense relatability and can easily soundtrack your own life. There is a number of moods throughout the EP. ‘Forever Yours’ is a slinky, jazzy number that opens the EP with a shimmy, while ‘Therapy’ is a fragile, heartfelt ballad. ‘Seasons Change’ continues with a jazz sound and showcases noelle’s incredible voice. ‘Hope You’re Happy’ is arguably the EP’s standout, a glorious pop-R&B track with a hint of electronica and a powerful vocal performance from noelle. The two new tracks close the EP, with ‘Hate That I Miss You’ an emotive, soaring, piano led ballad while ‘30k’ ends the collection on a more pop feel, mixing synths into noelle’s sound.

Still only 20, noelle is a seriously impressive new talent on the music scene and on the basis of 30k it is not hard to see her making a major international breakthrough in the next few years - she certainly has the voice, the sounds and sheer charisma to go a very long way. We recently caught up with noelle to find out more about the creation of 30k and her music career to date.

Hey Noelle! It’s a real pleasure to chat with you today. How are things in your world right now?

Everything’s really good. I’ve been writing so many songs over Zoom and spending lots of time with my loved ones. I couldn’t really ask for much more. 

Congratulations on the release of your debut EP. How does it feel to have it out in the world?
It’s feels insane! My friends, family, and I have been blasting these songs in the car for what feels like forever. These songs are like my babies so its overwhelming and also really exciting. 

What was the creative process like for the EP?
The creative process for the EP was so natural and was honestly so much fun. Overall, I would say it took two and a half years for everything to come together, but during that time I also wrote lots of songs that I will be releasing in the future.

I wrote and recorded ‘30k’ at a studio in Toronto with DCF, Joel Stouffer, and Mike Wise. 

I Wrote and recorded ‘Hate That I Miss You’ at my producer Tee’s studio along with DCF. 

I wrote ‘Therapy’ over Zoom with Phil Cook and DCF, and recorded it in my studio at home with my mom. 

‘Forever Yours’ was also written over Zoom with Sweater Beats and Alex T., and recorded in my home studio with my mom. 

I wrote and recorded ‘Seasons Change’ at my producer Anthony Wright’s studio with him and Alonzo Moore. 

I wrote and recorded ‘Hope You’re Happy’ at a studio Toronto with Geoff Warburton, Nate Ferraro, and Joel Stouffer. 

I love each and every one of these people. They are all so incredibly talented and believed in me from the start. 

Was there a particular message, or feel, you wanted to project with the album?
The EP walks you through the highs and lows of young love. I wanted the songs to be relatable so that my listeners know that they’re not alone. I really wanted to take people on an emotional journey with my EP. Musically, I wanted to try to include bits and pieces of all of my favorite genres, especially old jazz.

One of the singles from the album ‘Hope You’re Happy’ is such a beautiful track with some killer melodies. Lyrically it is really interesting as well, exploring the uncomfortable truth that vengeance is quite often the first emotion to surface when someone you love is now with someone else. Can you talk us through a little bit more about the story behind this track?
When we wrote this song I was getting over someone that I cared for and was going through the difficult time of watching him be with someone else. Watching this was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, and in the moment I didn’t feel like writing another sad song about it, so I wrote a fun but vengeful song instead lol. Nobody wants to see their ex happier with someone else. So in the song I sarcastically say that I hope they’re happy. 

I understand it was one of the few songs on the album that was recorded in a studio as opposed to in your bedroom. How does the creative process differ for you in a studio vs your bedroom?
My creative process doesn’t really differ depending on where I am. I usually have a concept and melody idea that I have prepared in my bedroom before going to the studio or joining a Zoom session. 

What role did music play in your life when you were growing up?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. My parents both sing, my dad plays guitar, and my mom plays the piano. My mom taught me basic piano chords when I was younger and I’ve been writing songs ever since.  I was exposed to a very wide variety of music at such a young age from Nat King Cole to the Powwow Drum. I think that exposure has had a big influence on the music that I create today. 

You first released music in 2020, was a career in music something you always knew you were going to do?
Music has always been such a big part of my life, so pursuing a career in music was very natural for me. Its just been something that I’ve always done. It would honestly be a dream come true if I could make a lifelong career doing what I love. 

For so long the music industry has been a difficult space for women to exist in mostly because it has been run by older, white, straight men for decades. What are your thoughts on gender equality and sexism in the music industry?
The music industry for me has definitely been intimidating. I think the old way of doing things is still very present. Im sure some strides of progress have been made, however,  there is a long way to go. I am still learning to stand up for myself so that I can stay true to who I am. 

Debut EP is out, what else is coming up for noelle in 2022?
I hope 2022 holds a ton of song releases and the start of live performances. I can’t wait to see what this year brings. 

30k is out now via Wax Records/Universal Music. You can buy and stream here.

To keep up with all thing noelle you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook , TikTok and Twitter.