Music / Lady Nade
Lady Nade: ‘Songwriting is a tool for expression’
Lady Nade is a singer-songwriter extraordinaire. Her unique brand of music exploded into the Bristol music scene like a Roman candle, with its raw energy and lyricism graced by elements of soul, jazz, blues, and pop.
As Lady Nade prepares for her much-anticipated sold-out homecoming show, featuring a collection of anthems by Nina Simone at Bristol Beacon, Bristol24/7 had the opportunity to catch up with her.
On a crisp, cold Friday morning, we met Lady Nade in her studio in Stokes Croft.
is needed now More than ever
“So this is where the magic happens?” I asked her while shaking her hand. “Well, some of it,” she replied with a smile.
Lady Nade’s unique blend of folk, Americana, and genre-bending music has earned her a loyal following
The studio is a working space filled with the tools of a musician’s trade: cables, amplifiers, sound decks, keyboards, guitars, and daily amenities stored in supermarket bags.
One couldn’t help but notice an 80s Sharp stereo system, which may have once poured out the sonic magic in its former life. Then there was a curious stringed instrument, much akin to an elongated lyre – santoor. A striking black-and-white portrait of Nina Simone hung on the wall like an Orthodox icon – it is indeed her icon.
“This is where some of the magic happens,” said Lady Nade
Lady Nade’s unique blend of folk, Americana, and genre-bending music has earned her a loyal following. Ahead of this major milestone, she reflects on the emotional journeys behind her songs, her artistic evolution, and the deep connection she shares with her roots in Bristol.
For Lady Nade, songwriting is more than just an art form; it’s a calling. She explained: “Songwriting is a tool for expression—a way to channel emotions and experiences into something universal.”
Her music often resonates with fans for its intimacy and vulnerability, allowing listeners to feel as though she is singing directly to them. The connection she cultivates with her audience is something she takes very seriously as an artist.
She firmly believes that music doesn’t happen in a vacuum under controlled conditions, but is a synergy of energies between the artist and the audience.
Lady Nade’s roots in Bristol run deep: she grew up in Withywood and attended Dundry Primary School, and she has a special fondness for Stokes Croft, with its vibrant artistic community. Her favourite pub is the Green Man in Kingsdown, with its quirky cornucopia of delights.
And she feels most at home when performing in Bristol, whether in a cozy pub or a concert hall.
“Bristol is my home,” she says. “It’s my grounding place, where I’ve had some of my earliest experiences with music.”
Her ability to connect emotionally with her audience has always been a cornerstone of her performances. Whether on stage at the Bristol Beacon or in a small intimate setting, Lady Nade aims to make each person in the room feel seen.
“I try to make eye contact and really engage with the audience, because if they feel seen, they feel heard, and that’s when the magic happens,” she explains.
This sense of collaboration and unity within her performances fosters a shared experience, turning each concert into a communal act of catharsis and celebration. For Lady Nade, songs are gifts, and she wants her audience to feel as though they are partaking in them.
The inspiration behind Lady Nade’s music often comes from personal experiences, especially those that involve deep emotional connection. One of her most resonant moments of songwriting came when she learned about Anna, a volunteer from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
“Anna’s story really resonated with me,” Lady Nade shares. “She found purpose through saving lives at sea, and I realised I had found my purpose through helping others with my songs.”
This shared journey of discovering meaning in service to others helped Lady Nade connect with Anna’s story in a profound way, and the result was a powerful song that captures the essence of finding purpose in the midst of life’s hardest moments.
“Writing, much like music, is a blend of the personal and the universal,” said Lady Nade
The performance, which had only a handful of people, was intimate, personal, and heartfelt. Anna, who was in the audience when the song was recorded in the BBC studio, was moved to tears and hugged Lady Nade.
She puts a premium on authenticity. “I think the key to a great performance is vulnerability,” she said. “When you allow yourself to be fully authentic and present, the audience can feel it. It’s not about putting on a persona, but rather showing who you really are.”
This raw honesty allows the audience to engage not just with her music, but with her as a person. Through her eye contact and openness, Lady Nade creates a space where her fans feel comfortable being themselves, making every performance not just a show, but a shared moment of connection.
Lady Nade started her music career with her first open mic performance at Eddie Martin’s jam night at The Old Duke. Despite being nervous and overwhelmed by the silence in the crowd, her mentors reassured her that it was a sign that people were truly listening.
A striking black-and-white portrait of Nina Simone hung on the wall like an Orthodox icon—it is indeed her icon
“That moment really built my confidence,” she recalled. “Bristol has always supported me, and the city’s music scene is so inclusive. There’s always something happening, and it’s a place where you can grow and connect with others.”
Growing up, Lady Nade was influenced by her granddad’s collection of Americana and rock ‘n’ roll mixtapes. She is equally at home talking about Leadbelly and the Spice Girls. She acknowledges that the burst of the Spice Girls inspired many young female artists to feel hopeful.
But it wasn’t until later, when she discovered Nina Simone, that she found her metier.
She recounted the moment when she first heard Nina Simone as a teenager, which was akin to a Damascene moment. She was dazzled by the sheer brilliance of the jazz icon and said to herself, “I wanna feel this.”
“Nina Simone’s voice and presence were transformative for me,” Lady Nade explained. “I knew then that I wanted to make music that made people feel something.”
From there, her journey evolved through discovering the powerful folk voices of Joan Armatrading and other female songwriters, shaping the genre-blending sound she’s known for today.
She said: “I became obsessed with Nina Simone’s work—watching her perform, her songwriting, and I just listened to her so much. That opened me up to other female singers, like Sarah Vaughan and other jazz female artists.”
“And I went from listening to male rock ‘n’ roll artists to listening to female jazz singers. Nina Simone, especially, was like-minded. She also played the piano. So, I got a piano, but I realized that when it came to my songwriting, I wasn’t writing jazz.
“I was writing more like folk music. So, I got a guitar, and that’s when Joan Armatrading really sparked my interest further. She was a role model, playing guitar and writing the kind of music I wanted to make.”
Lady Nade explained that her music has always been about finding purpose and using her craft to support others. Whether through songwriting, performing, or her work with music therapy, her mission has been to make a meaningful connection through music. “If my music can help someone express their emotions or feel less alone, then that’s my purpose,” she said.
As she gears up for her sold-out Bristol Beacon show, Lady Nade reflects on how far she’s come since those early open mic performances. “It’s surreal to think about performing in front of so many people who believe in what I do,” she says.
“Writing, much like music, is a blend of the personal and the universal.”
“When you tell a story from your perspective, it opens the audience to your vulnerability, allowing them to feel something they might not have been able to express themselves,” she adds.
The power of a good story lies in its ability to resonate both personally and universally, connecting deeply with others—even if they have not lived the exact experience.
“You can tell a private story, but if no one’s lived it, how will they know how it feels?” the artist continued. “When a story or song transcends the personal, it becomes something that others can relate to, something they didn’t know they needed until it hits them.”
For her, community plays a vital role in this creative process. The passing of her grandmother when she was ten deeply affected her. She kept writing poems and letters to her, but she never got a response.
But one day, the shards of grief dissipated when she realised, “she never went away”. She reflected: “I really enjoyed my childhood. It was surrounded by family and friends, but it wasn’t without its struggles. When my Nan became ill, it was a difficult time. Still, the love from my family and community helped me get through.”
When asked why community matters, she says: “Love is stronger than hate.”
“We all have so much love to give, and our communities remind us of that. When you get feedback from your community, it feeds your self-worth and shows that what you’re doing is meaningful.”
Among her many accolades, she was especially proud of being named one of Bristol’s Most Influential Women in 2022 by Bristol.Live. “It is a huge validation. It’s like a gold star,” she said, her eyes glinting with pride.
Lady Nade will pay homage to her idol Nina Simone in her homecoming concert at Bristol Beacon
Her concert at Bristol Beacon, celebrating Nina Simone, is tipped to be a showstopper. With her six-piece band, she will be in her element paying homage to her idol.
To follow Lady Nade’s journey, visit www.ladynade.co.uk
All photos: Milan Perera
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