Music / Interviews
Lady Nade on the power of music and more
It is fitting that Lady Nade should return to star at a celebration of Bristol Beacon, a place where she began her musical journey.
The singer-songwriter from Withywood was 14 when she first found her voice and honed her skills as part of the venue’s education programme, going on to forge a successful career as a performer and also a music leader and mentor to emerging talent.
On the day she is due to perform at the launch of Bristol Beacon’s ‘make space for music’ campaign – which marks a new chapter for the city’s flagship venue – Lady Nade is also just three days into a live tour with folk duo Spiers & Boden.
is needed now More than ever
Reflecting on a whirlwind year that has seen the release of her third album, Willing, a nomination for best song of the year at the Americana Music Association UK awards and a return to live shows, she tells Bristol24/7 the power of live music feels more poignant than ever.
Listen to Lady Nade on the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
“I grew up listening to my granddad’s rock and roll and Americana Folk mixtapes, and I started to write poems and songs as a form of healing from grief, as I lost my family member when I was ten,” says Lady Nade, looking back on the days that led her down a musical career path.
“I realised that I can use my music to help others going through difficult times; I’ve used it in projects focused on bringing wellbeing to the lives of people with dementia, and I’ve used it in hospitals.
“I’ve realised that even the sensory elements of music can help; I played music to children in intensive care units who are born with life-threatening diseases.”
Lady Nade honed her skills through the Bristol Plays Music programme from the age of 14 – photo by Arthur René Walwin
It was through the award-winning Bristol Plays Music programme – now unified under the Bristol Beacon name – that Lady Nade found her voice and honed her craft, with live performances at the likes of the Harbour Festival and the Folk House.
“By playing my songs, I realised there was this engagement from an audience that found my songs and music relatable – it’s really validating when you can express how other people are feeling and sometimes that’s easier done in a song,” the singer explains.
Lady Nade says it was the dedication of fans that enabled her to launch a third album, Willing, in the middle of lockdown.
“Our industry fell apart so it was my fans who enabled me to create a third album through one of the hardest periods,” she tells Bristol24/7, adding that it has been an emotional process returning to live performance and seeing audience members experience live music for the first time since the pandemic.
Along with her band, Lady Nade plans to head out on tour in 2022 in celebration of Willing, which itself is “about celebrating who we are and how we can support each other”.
Main photo by Arthur René Walwin
Read more: Bright new future for Bristol Beacon as it invites city to ‘make space for music’
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