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As the calendar turns to March 8th, there’s more than just the promise of a new season—there’s a new musical offering from Vienna-based artist Nee-Sha. Her latest single, "Intervene" (out today), is more than just a track; it's a heartfelt anthem for social change and solidarity. This release marks a powerful moment in her artistic journey, one where she blends personal expression with a message that resonates far beyond music.
The evolution of an artist is often a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and expression, and for Nee-Sha, that story is nothing short of captivating. With roots in both soul and reggae, and now a dynamic fusion of Neo-Soul and Hip Hop, her music tells a deeply personal narrative. Ahead of today’s release, we had the chance to chat with Nee-Sha about her music, her process, and what’s next for her artistic journey.
How and when did your journey in music begin?
Nee-Sha’s musical journey began in a family setting, deeply intertwined with the world of sound. "My musical journey began in my father's home studio, Big Baffolo," she recalls. "From a young age, I was involved in his productions, soon making my own 'contributions' on Papa's microphone. Before long, I was already writing my own lyrics to the reggae rhythms from his ghetto blaster. These early influences of soul and reggae have accompanied me from the start and now flow into my distinctive musical style, leaning towards a fusion of Neo-soul and Hip Hop."
What inspired you to start producing music?
For Nee-Sha, producing music has always been a deeply personal and empowering experience. "The journey, starting in the beginnings of a family studio, has evolved into an individual expression of myself. Often it functions as a form of self-therapy. Music has always been my escape, my way of expressing things words can’t. I started producing because I wanted full control over my sound. I didn’t want to just sing over someone else’s beats—I wanted to create the whole vibe myself. Every track I make is a piece of my soul, a mix of emotions, experiences, and the sounds that move me. It’s about storytelling, about making people feel what I feel."
How has your music evolved over the years?
Over the years, Nee-Sha’s approach to music production has become more collaborative. "Nowadays I love to collaborate and feel how versatile I actually am. If I have to start a musical piece from scratch and work alone up to the point of release, I often get stuck somewhere because of my perfectionism. So now, I love to work with others to ease my mind by just handing certain tasks to certain people, which helps me to get out of this state of perfectionism."
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Nee-Sha describes her sound as a blend of ethereal and immersive qualities. "I enjoy immersing listeners in my ethereal, trance-like world. Through dreamy sequences infused with characteristic elements, I create a chilled, dreamwalking atmosphere. Not only for your ears, but also for your heart."
How do you know when a track is finished? What’s the moment when you feel it’s ready?
For Nee-Sha, knowing when a track is finished can be elusive. "Honestly, my tracks never feel fully ready. I just get to a point where I know adding more won’t make it better. The moment I feel it’s ready is when somebody else tells me so. Sometimes, I let it sit for a few days and come back with fresh ears, but seldom does it help me in finishing a song. I really need to show it to the homies to decide."
The Heart Behind "Intervene" – Available March 8th
As she prepares to release her powerful new single, "Intervene" featuring q-IZI, Nee-Sha offers an emotional and empowering message through her music. "Yes! On March 8th, I’m releasing my new single and heart project, 'Intervene' ft. q-IZI. I produced the beat in my bedroom and invited q-IZI to jump on the track. Together, we created a powerful anthem—against domestic violence and for solidarity."
The song tackles the challenging topic of domestic violence and highlights the importance of speaking up when faced with injustice. "Writing the lyrics for ‘Intervene’ was a deeply emotional process. The song tells the story of two people living in the same house, both aware of the domestic violence happening behind closed doors. Within their own four walls, they feel disconnected, unable to hear through the bricks, and they convince themselves that they can’t intervene. But the truth is—there are always ways to take action against domestic violence in your neighborhood. The song is about breaking that silence, about recognizing that even if you feel powerless, you can still be part of the change. Whether it’s reaching out, offering support, or amplifying voices that need to be heard, intervening starts with awareness." Nee-Sha continues,
"Lyrically, we wanted to capture that struggle, the uncertainty, the guilt, but also the moment of realization that inaction is a choice too. It’s a call to step up, to not look away."
She’s also thrilled about the video that accompanies the song: "Through a collaboration with #KlappeAuf, Katharina Simunic and I had the incredible opportunity to shoot a music video with an amazing cast and team, bringing the song’s message to life. And there’s an even bigger project in the works... but I’m keeping that under wraps for now. No set dates yet, but stay tuned!"
How do you stay innovative within your genre? Are there any specific techniques or sounds you love experimenting with?
For Nee-Sha, staying innovative is about keeping an open mind and exploring new sonic territories. "Staying innovative is all about keeping an open mind and never getting too comfortable. I love layering my voice over a deep, atmospheric beat or mixing organic sounds with electronic textures. I experiment a lot with layering to create depth and the repetition in my productions are there to hypnotize the listener in some way. I mean, at least it hypnotizes myself."
She adds, "I also draw inspiration from outside my genre. I listen to a lot of music and sound, trying to imitate whatever I hear around me and making something completely new out of it."
As an artist, what do you think is the biggest challenge when it comes to standing out in the industry today?
For Nee-Sha, the biggest challenge lies in staying true to herself. "Not losing yourself. Staying true to yourself and making the music that you want to make."
How would you say your sound has changed since your first release? What sparked that shift?
Nee-Sha’s sound has evolved significantly since her early releases. "My sound has definitely evolved since my first release. My first release was a very wild pick from my musical library. Back then, I was still finding my voice, experimenting with different vibes and figuring out what felt authentic to me. Now, my music is more refined, more intentional. I trust my instincts more. That does not mean that I do not produce out of 'my genre' sometimes and go totally wild. It just means that it will still somehow sound like me. It will have my scent all over."
How do you see your music continuing to evolve in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, Nee-Sha envisions her music growing in exciting, unpredictable ways. "In the next five years, I see my music evolving in ways I can’t predict yet, and that somehow keeps me going. I want to push my sound further, dive deeper into storytelling and collaborate with other talented artists around the world. Also, I would love to play with a band more often, as I have a lot of singer-songwriter-like songs just waiting to be played. Growth is constant, and as I change, my music will too. The goal is to keep creating something that feels real to me, and maybe even to others."
How do you stay inspired when things get tough? What keeps you going?
"Inspiration often comes when things get tough," Nee-Sha shares. "Writing music often functions as some sort of therapy for me in which I don't search for solutions but give the 'problem' space to express."
Have you ever experienced a creative block? How do you push through those moments to keep creating?
Nee-Sha has her fair share of creative blocks, but she no longer views them as obstacles. "I have them all the time, but I see them as part of the process. After reading about Rick Rubin’s approach, I’ve started seeing creative blocks differently. Instead of fighting them, I let them breathe. I’ve learned that inspiration isn’t something you chase, but rather something you tune into. When I feel stuck, I step back, I listen to my favorite songs, or just play with sound without pressure. Creativity isn’t about forcing a masterpiece every time, it’s about staying open, trusting the process, and letting ideas flow naturally. Now, when I hit a block, I don’t panic. I just listen, wait, and let the music find me and if it doesn't find me, then maybe it does tomorrow."
Is there a specific track of yours that has a particularly interesting or meaningful backstory? Can you tell us about it?
One track that holds special meaning for Nee-Sha is "Sound of the Waves." "There was a promo piece on FM4’s new music blog when this video first dropped. It spoke about 'the director Katharina Simunic and her team of divers in the Gulf of Thailand,' and then it went onto describe the 'impressive' cinematography. Half of me didn’t want to break the spell, didn’t want to explain that, actually, the team of divers was, um, just Katharina Simunic and myself, in a mask and snorkel, with this $300 action-cam the size of a cigarette packet, a camera she’d never used before, underwater, where she’d never filmed before."
She continues, "The protagonist (or, um, the voice?) in 'Sound of the Waves' is also struggling to come to terms with a broken spell, struggling to admit that, actually, she’s all alone, too. But it’s not art that’s caused her to believe in a fantasy, it’s her heart."
How has your background, culture, or the places you’ve lived influenced your music and sound?
Growing up as a mixed child in Austria, Nee-Sha often felt like she didn’t fit into one specific box. "Everybody grows with the places they live in. For me, growing up as a mixed kid in Austria, I never really felt like I fully belonged. I was always in between—never quite fitting into one box. But music? Music was the one place where I always felt at home. It became my way of existing freely, without expectations."
If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? What would be your dream show?
While the location is important, it’s the overall vibe that matters most to Nee-Sha. "That is a very difficult question, because I think it is less about the space and more about the overall vibe and experience. But I love the outdoors. So maybe an open-air show somewhere deep in the mountains or at the water somewhere. A place where people can lose themselves in sound, visuals, atmosphere, and emotion. A place where, for a moment, everyone feels like they belong."
What is your personal philosophy or motto when it comes to creating music and building your career?
"My personal philosophy is simple: stay true to myself," Nee-Sha states. "That always works best. When I’m authentic in my music, in my choices, in my path, I know I’m heading in the right direction. Oh, and to keep creating, no matter what. Because as long as I’m making something, I’m growing, evolving, and staying connected to myself."
As Nee-Sha’s music continues to evolve, her artistry becomes not just a form of personal expression but also a vehicle for advocacy. With the release of "Intervene," she invites us all to reflect on the ways we can speak out against injustice, particularly in the context of domestic violence. This song is more than just a track—it’s a call to action, urging listeners to break the silence, support those in need, and intervene when it matters most.
Nee-Sha’s music reminds us that we all have the power to make a difference, and every voice matters. As we celebrate the release of "Intervene," let’s take this opportunity to not only support the arts but also to stand up for those whose voices are too often silenced. Her music isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about sparking change and creating a world where solidarity, compassion, and action can shine through.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, it’s important to know that help is available. Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or visit their website at www.thehotline.org for confidential support. You are not alone, and support is available to help you through whatever you’re facing.
Stay connected with Nee-Sha and listen to her music:
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