Darling Nicky Q&A with Soca Artiste Nadia Batson (Trinidad)
Re: Interview with Nadia Batson (Trinidad)
For: Darling Nicky and darlingnicky.ca | darlingnicky999.com
Date: Jan. 10th, 2011
Date of birth: 7th Dec 1976
Place of birth: POS, Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Soca
The phenomenally talented Soca singer/songwriter Nadia Batson (Trinidad) is gearing up for one of the most memorable Carnival seasons of her career. Armed with an arsenal of 2011 gems including her brand new hit “We Not Leaving” with Patrice Roberts, Nadia is ready for a spectacular year ahead. I got the chance to get into the mind of one of Soca’s most consistent artistes, so she could let her fans in on her views on music, her career, and life in general.
Nicky: Good Afternoon Ms. Nadie B! How have you been since the last time we saw each other, Miami Carnival 2010 I believe?
Nadia: Since Miami Carnival, I’ve been extremely busy. I’ve been writing, performing, recording and preparing for a hectic Carnival season here in Trinidad
Nicky: You’ve been an active contributor to the Soca arena for several years now, what is your outlook for the 2011 season?
Nadia: For the 2011 season, I wanted to focus solely on making every track on my upcoming album, “Miss B”, a hit. This season in particular, I’m extremely inspired and driven. I always felt that I don’t release enough music during the Carnival season, mainly because my time was so heavily divided, that I couldn’t focus on writing and recording as many songs as I would have liked. This year, however, I made a conscious effort, to put all other projects aside and focus mainly on increasing my repertoire and ensuring that “Miss B” is an unforgettable collection of work. So basically, my outlook is very positive and I see myself having an amazing season, full of energy, and lots of fun.
Nicky: You are one of the featured artists on the highly anticipated “Tin-Pan Riddim” by Mastamind Productions. Give us some detail about that project.
Nadia: That’s a funny story actually…lol . To be honest, that riddim wasn’t sent to me. Ricardo Drue came to our studio (Martian Music), to record his vocals on the Tin Pan Riddim, and I happened to be in the session. I was in love with the riddim from the moment I heard it, but I didn’t want to impose by asking if it would have been okay for me to write a song to it. Ironically enough, Ricardo was the one who said that he thinks I should be on that riddim. I just linked Mastamind on BBM to get his permission, and he told me that he would be cool with that, so of course, I was a happy camper!! The song “Jiggle Like Dat” took me about half hour to write. Whenever I’m inspired, writing becomes easier than usual. I recorded it and sent the vocals to Mastamind, and he fell in love with the track. I’m extremely happy with the finished product, and I’m also happy that my supporters love the track as well.
Nicky: Music is a difficult career choice compared to traditional lines of work. How did you know that this is what you wanted to do, and what made you choose Soca?
Nadia: Honestly, that decision was such an easy one to make. Writing, singing and performing is a huge part of who I am. Music defines me in so many ways. As a child, I used to write poems and short stories for my mom, who’s also a writer, and she would basically give me tips on how I could improve. I began singing in elementary school, and I remember everyone being awed by my vocal ability. I married the two gifts, singing and song-writing, in my early teenage years. Nothing excites me more than writing, singing and performing. I had other forms of employment before I decided to be a full time artiste though. I was a data entries clerk at a craft shop here in Trinidad. Then I went on to implement software at another company. Those jobs didn’t fulfill me at all. I felt like something was missing. I wasn’t happy with my career choices at that time, until one day I just decided to make entertainment my full-time profession. I chose Soca music because I’ve always loved it. I wanted to be one of the artistes who would contribute to taking Soca music to the World’s stage. Being a frontline vocalist was a challenging journey at first, because I had self esteem and self confidence issues, which prevented me from confidently taking the stage, but once I overcame that hurdle, it was smooth sailing from there. I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Nicky: Who or what have been your musical inspirations?
Nadia: I’m inspired by anything and everything. Musically, I admire a number of artistes both locally and internationally. My favourite artiste will now and forever be Alanis Morissette. As a lyricist, she is phenomenal. I also love Stevie Wonder and The Bee Gees (Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is ridiculously amazing as a song-writer…). Locally, I love Ella Andall, Andre Tanker and David Rudder.
Nicky: Apart from gearing up for March’s Trinidad Carnival, what upcoming projects do you have in the works?
Nadia: There’s a new magazine to be launched in Trinidad in early February, called IT’S HAIR MAG, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, and I am the featured artiste of the first issue. I’m also working with a company that plans on taking me to Australia at some point later this year so I’m excited about that.
Nicky: You are an accomplished artist in your genre, are there any awards or recognitions that you are most proud of?
Nadia: I’m proud of the COTT (Copyright® Music Organization of Trinidad and Tobago) awards that I’ve received for song-writing, but I’m even more proud of the recognition that the Caribbean has given me, as one of the top song-writers of the Region.
Nicky: Most artists have a particular song from their catalogue that has significant meaning to them. Is there a song of yours that stands out for you, and is there a story behind it?
Nadia: I love “Meri Zindagi”, off of my first album “Caribbean Girl”. It’s a song that is close to my heart. I wanted to do a song with East Indian influence, but I didn’t want to a typical sounding “chutney” track. It’s a song that makes me feel to cry every time I listen to it because I wrote it from my heart. I remember, I cried while performing the track at a private function a few years ago.
Nicky: Who have been your favourite producers to work with?
Nadia: I’ve been fortunate enough to work with really good producers. I don’t have just one favourite. I always enjoy working with Kasey Phillips (Precision Productions); I also enjoy working with Ibo, and of course, Don Iko (Martian Music). Even though Neil Bernard has never produced a song that I’ve sung, he has produced music that I’ve written, and he is also a really great producer to work with.
Nicky: If you could collaborate on a record with anyone in the world, in any category of music, with who would it be?
Nadia: If I had to collaborate with any artiste, it would definitely be either my favourite artiste of all time, Alanis Morissette, or my favourite dancehall artiste, Buju Banton.
Nicky: It is that time of year when plenty new Soca has been released. Which songs are you listening to in heavy rotation right now?
Nadia: Right now my IPod and my Blackberry has four songs in heavy rotation….lol. Machel Montano “Hard Wuk”, Cassi “Town Ting” , Nadia Batson and Tallpree “Lighters” and Nadia Batson and Patrice Roberts “We Not Leaving”
Nicky: One of the advantages of being a Soca artiste is having the opportunity to visit and perform at many different Carnivals around the World. However, Trinidad Carnival is revered as the most acclaimed for the Soca category. Do you have a favourite Carnival memory to share?
Nadia: Every year I create beautiful memories so I don’t have just one that sticks out in my mind. Once I’m with friends, every Carnival is memorable.
Nicky: Regardless of what field of work we are in, there are always aspects we find challenging. What are your biggest “pet peeves”?
Nadia: I really don’t like to be pigeon-held into any particular type of Soca music. I want to be able to sing a “feting track” or a “wining track” or a “road track”, without anyone judging my music. When I first began being recognized as an artiste, I used to sing a lot of groovy tracks as well as a lot of Zouk influenced music. As a result, some people just assume that I should sing that type of Soca music, all the time. That is really a pet-peeve of mine! I feel creatively stifled whenever I can’t express myself in any way that I wish.
Nicky: We first met at an event in Toronto for our annual Scotiabank Caribana Festival; will you be joining us again this year for 2011?
Nadia: Of course…since I started coming to Toronto for Caribana, I haven’t missed one yet and I don’t intend to. FUN FUN FUN!! Whether I’m working or not, I would always make an effort to be in Toronto for Caribana
Nicky: When not in the studio or traveling to perform, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Nadia: In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends. I always have friends over at my house. Some of my closest friends live in Toronto, so any spare time I have, I would hop on a plane and fly to Toronto (even if its freezing…lol). I also love to go to the movies, so any chance I get…I head to MovieTowne!
Nicky: Where can people find your music if they want to hear more of you?
Nadia: Aside from catching a live performance, you can purchase the Miss B album at all major record shops in Trinidad, from the end of February. The songs are also available for you listening pleasure on my Reverbnation, Facebook and MySpace accounts. Also, from mid-February, you can purchase my new music on Trinidadtunes.com, Itunes.com and Amazon.com
Nicky: We follow each other on Twitter, and therefore you know I am not afraid to ask some “personal” questions. Many know that your partner is Don Iko of Digital Entertainment; how do you maintain a balance within your personal life with two people who have demanding careers in the music industry?
Nadia: We try to always rejuvenate the relationship by taking short vacations, even if it’s right here in Trinidad. I love to go to Salybia Beach Resort to relax. Aside from the romance, Iko and I are very good friends and I think, that’s what makes it easy to get through anything, cause we could always go back to our foundation, which is a great friendship.
Nicky: What is an ideal “date night”?
Nadia: An ideal date night would be dinner and a movie. I love to go to the movies. Give me a Jack Daniels Burger from TGIF followed by a comedy at MovieTowne and I’m straight…lol.
Nicky: It is always a pleasure to speak with you Nadia; you are as beautiful inside as you are outside. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Nadia: Thank you so much for considering me. It was fun. Thank you to all of my supporters and I’ll see you guys soon…Love you
Interview performed by Darling Nicky for darlingnicky.ca | darlingnicky999.com
©2011 Darling Nicky Writing and Publicity Services. All rights reserved.
