On The North Shore with Nina Luna
Mustard had the pleasure of with Minnesota DIY singer/songwriter/producer Nina Luna who has been releasing a new song every two weeks.
Mustard has observed that romance is nonlinear. Romance has the ability to waltz across the dance (or office floor) like it just earned extra paid leave. Each human has
a different definition of romance. However you may define romance there is a base; a foundation in which it builds from which is shared.
Nina Luna, an independent singer/songwriter/producer from Minneapolis, creates restless romantic alternative pop. Romance, like New York City (the city they used to reside in) never sleeps. In our interview Luna describes romance as bittersweet. It like Nina themselves present duality. If you listen to Nina Luna’s discography you will be unable to categorize them to a single genre. Nuna, like romance, branches out and creates new situations and moments.
Ten years ago Nina Luna opened up GarageBand and began producing music. In their own words they admit they had no idea what they were doing. Thirty releases later, including their newest single, Autumn Wind, has continued to remain DIY. Luna has switched from GarageBand to Logic Pro where they record in-house at their home. Music was not new for Nina Luna. Growing up her mother was a musician who blasted the likes of Bob Dylan. Both of her parents valued music and this inspired Nina Luna to pursue it themselves.
In our interview below you will get a chance to better know Nina Luna. Together we discuss what Bob Dylan album they consider essential listening, nature, and so much more!
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I'm great! Hope you're great as well :)
2. Mustard has observed that your mom was a huge Bob Dylan fan and an artist themselves. Can you recall what Bob Dylan songs you remember hearing growing up? How did having a musician in the house help inspire you to become an artist yourself?
I remember hearing "Hurricane" in the car as a kid and thinking it was a really powerful song. Having my mom also be a musician was helpful because we were always listening to music and both my parents valued music and live music a lot. My mom also knew about which open mics to go to and things like that when I was in high school and just starting to play out.
3. Mustard wonders which Bob Dylan album you consider essential listening? How has Bob Dylan influenced you as a songwriter?
Either Blood on the Tracks or The Free Wheelin' Bob Dylan. Dylan's songwriting makes me understand where the bar is as a lyricist.
4. Growing up you loved female vocalists who could kill it such as Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. If you could collaborate with both on a track, what would it sound like?
I did! I think it would have those killer powerful vocals but with a more soft, subtle acoustic production style.
5. While attending college in New York City you taught yourself how to record, mix, and produce songs. Could you share more about your process back then? How has it evolved over time to now?
I started producing using GarageBand and I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Over the last 10 years I've just slowly taught myself how to do everything, with a lot of help from Youtube. Now I use Logic Pro but my process is still pretty DIY and low-maintenance - I do it all at home and I record my vocals and acoustic guitar using my iPhone.
6. Besides the likes of Bob Dylan who (or what) influences Nina Luna?
Some of my musical influences include Tracy Chapman, Lorde, Florence + the Machine, Zach Bryan.
7. After spending ten years in New York City you moved back to Minnesota which has a strong local music scene that feels like a community. Are there any plans to collaborate with artists within the scene?
I have some potential collaborations in the works where I may be producing songs for other artists but can't say anything for sure yet!
8. Mustard has observed that you love nature. As a condiment that is primarily inside a fridge how would you describe nature in Minnesota? Do you have a favorite spot to visit? Would you recommend all humans spend some time outside?
Summer in MN is beautiful, lush, green, humid. Winter can also be beautiful but I find it monotonous. One of my favorite spots, which I recently visited, is Split Rock Lighthouse campgrounds on the North Shore. And yes, everyone should spend time outside!!
9. They have also observed that you create restless romantic alternative pop. How does Nina Luna define romance? What are some things you consider romantic?
Romance to me is bittersweet, there's some sort of longing or nostalgia or hope associated with it. I find the changing seasons romantic, I think that a crush is obviously romantic, I think that stuff like Polaroids and flowers and coffee and cooking and long drives are romantic.
10. Mustard has noticed that some humans express that "the romance is gone." What can be done to prevent this from happening?
It's all about your perspective and your appreciation for the little things. Finding beauty even in things that are unsatisfactory, finding beauty in wanting more, or in having had something you no longer have.
11. One playlist your music can be found on is "reading agatha christie." Would you say this playlist accurately represents your music? Do you have a favorite Agatha Christie book?
Yeah I've noticed my cover mashup of "Writer in the Dark" by Lorde and "Tolerate It" by Taylor Swift is on several Agatha Christie-themed playlists. I've never read Agatha Christie so I can't say for sure but I do think it's kind of funny! I'm also just always so honored anytime anyone adds any of my songs to a playlist.
12. Mustard wonders when you first began releasing a single every two weeks? Do you have a creative strategy in place to stay consistent?
I released the first single in this campaign on June 13th and have released 6 total so far this summer. The main thing for me has been to not overthink the songwriting or production, not try to perfect anything but get it to a place where I feel pretty good, and then on to the next one. If you get to precious about one song, it throws off the whole thing.
13. In 2020 you released Notes on a Decade of Romance. Have you revisited these notes since? What did you observe during this time?
Yes, I still love those songs and perform them live often. I realized during that time that I still had a lot to heal.
14. Nina Luna calls it like she sees it. As a condiment Mustard wonders what are some signs that a human is being dishonest?
Usually it's just a gut feeling for me. You can tell when someone is hiding something because they themselves don't want to face the truth.
15. Mustard loves the variations of your single Dreaming. What attracted you to this song to present it both slowed + reverb along with sped up?
Thank you! I had seen some bigger artists releasing different versions of their songs at the time and it honestly just seemed like a fun experiment!
16. Last year you released your EP Wish You Were Here. Could you share what it was like to put this project together?
It took me most of last year to record and produce it. It was very satisfying to create a cohesive body of work where I felt like all the songs were related and spoke to each other.
17. What are some things that blow Nina Luna's mind?
How life can change so quickly and also so slowly! How we can love people! Being like "wow, I really loved that person" blows my mind.
18. On Songbirds you explore the duality of being anonymous and free not belonging to someone but also how that aches. Could you elaborate more on this duality?
I've just always had a bit of a feeling of not fitting in, which I enjoy and sometimes it feels amazing to lean into that, but other times it can feel lonely.
19. You present more duality on your single Too Much which inspires a human to dance while also being vulnerable. Would you say your music is an exploration of the human condition?
Yeah I think it's an exploration of my particular brand of human condition, which hopefully some other people can relate to.
20. Mustard would like to congratulate you on your newest release Autumn Wind. Was this song written during an autumn wind?
Thank you! No, it was actually written one April day.
21. You relayed on Instagram that this song is for anyone trying their best to move on. How has songwriting helped you in tough situations? Is there anywhere in nature you like to visit to help during this process?
Songwriting is a really good way for me to process what I'm feeling and to get it out of me into an actual form, rather than having it be this vague swirling emotional cloud inside of me. I usually take a long walk to help process as well.
22. A human invites their friend to see Nina Luna perform. What five words best describe your live performances? Do you have a pre- or post-show routine?
It changes a bit depending on if you're seeing a solo acoustic show or a live band show but I'd say: emotional, ethereal, engaging, powerful, intimate
23. What is on the horizon for Nina Luna?
Gonna keep releasing singles through the end of the year (probably), might be spending time in NYC and Nashville later this year, and just doing everything I can to get my music to reach more people.
24. Where can readers listen to your music?
My music is anywhere you stream or download music! Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc.
Talking in the aisle
Have you listened to Nina Luna?
What do you find romantic?
What are some examples of your duality?
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 34 states and 21 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in May 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.