We had the pleasure of interviewing Nové, and here’s what she had to say:
Q: How long did it take you to create “Dancing With A Ghost”?
NOVÉ: I came up with the song concept prior to actually writing it. Once I started writing, in total, it took one day for the base of the concept to be there. Over another 5-6 months, I finalized my main vocal melody, and my producer and I tried several different versions of harmonies & stacked vocals. In total, the song probably took about a year until it was mastered.
Q: What inspired it?
NOVÉ: I typically like to write about concepts that are completely opposite of what you would typically assume a song title would mean. When thinking of “Dancing With a Ghost,” the typical assumption most likely would be that somebody in your relationship isn’t there anymore or has lost interest/the spark that once was. I wanted to create a disco-pop anthem about that person being perfectly content, and you (I) know we deserve so much more. So for one more night, sure, you’ll go out with that person, they can buy you one more drink, it’s the same old story but this time it has a different ending. In the morning when they woke up, they didn’t know they were the ghost you were dancing with.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about making this song and making music in general?
NOVÉ: I love the collaborative process between those who you’re working with/co-writing with. You bring a concept or even a rough skeleton of a song, and you get to create an entirely new version of an idea you had. Sometimes multiple versions as well because not everything sticks or lands at first.
Q: What do you do to get your creative juices flowing when you feel stuck while creating a song?
NOVÉ: I love sitting outside with my journal and coming up with more ideas for melodies/lyrics. Sometimes I even sit and just come up with titles, and eventually, new ideas start forming. Co-writing is also an amazing thing when you feel stuck. While songwriting is a precious and personal thing, there’s a lot of beauty in working with others.
Q: In what way(s), do you think your sound has evolved since you started making music?
NOVÉ: My sound itself has completely shifted over the last 10 years of my life, but more so within the last 3 years. Thanks to the help of many vocal coaches and more opportunities to sing live consistently, I have more control over my sound now. It’s one of those things that will forever be changing. I think also as I’m leaning more into adulthood being in my mid-20s, my reflections on life and my purpose will keep leading me in new directions with my songs. I want to try new things and find new sounds within what I’m familiar with and what I’m not. The beautiful thing about music is there is no right or wrong, and everyone has an audience.
Q: Did you always know you would become a musician? At what point did you reach this realization/conclusion?
NOVÉ: I always knew music was a very pure love of mine, but I did not realize it was something I would be fully pursuing until my senior year of high school where you have your first of MANY “what do I want to do with my life” thoughts. Once I talked with my parents, who are 100% on board and incredibly supportive, I knew this was it. I did not realize it could even be a realistic option because of the stereotypical view most people have about this “unconventional” path. It sure is not an easy path, but every achievement makes it so much more worth it. As I said, everyone has an audience, and I intend on finding more of mine in every song, gig, and show I have. It takes a lot of determination and hard work, but if you want it, you’ll go and get it.
Interviewed by Zoey King
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