Nellie Feldmann
Singer-songwriter Nellie Feldmann opens up about the personal inspiration behind “Turn Down My Shine,” discussing emotional healing, authentic songwriting, creative collaboration, and the exciting new chapter introduced by her upcoming EP.
1. “Turn Down My Shine” is a deeply personal song inspired by your experience with a narcissistic person. What was the emotional journey of turning those difficult memories into music?
I remember feeling really small and powerless, it’s almost like it didn’t matter what I said because it felt like this person had already made their mind up about me, yet they didn’t really know me at all. I found it difficult to stand up for myself, there were so many things I wanted to say but didn’t feel I could or more importantly that they would even listen. I was talking about it with dad in the studio and I recounted a conversation with this person and how they’d said “you seem like you’ve lost your spark and appear subdued” The idea that someone can ‘dull’ your presence came into the session and that became “Turn Down My Shine”.
2. You’ve said that being “too quiet” has often been misunderstood. How has embracing your quieter nature shaped both your songwriting and your identity as an artist?
People who know me well probably wouldn’t say I’m “too quiet”. I don’t necessarily open up to people unless I feel completely comfortable around them and I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I find it easier to express my emotions through songwriting than actually trying to explain to someone how I feel. For me, songwriting just makes it less scary because I have taken the time to process and craft these feelings into something that I genuinely love.
3. The lyrics capture manipulation, self-doubt, and ultimately the desire to reclaim your voice. What message do you hope listeners take away from the song, especially those who have experienced similar relationships?
To be honest I still struggle to stand up for myself. It would be lovely for audiences to feel empowered by the song, but really, I’m just sharing my version of a difficult situation and hoping people can relate to it.
4. Your music blends acoustic indie songwriting with the intimate feel of bedroom pop. How did you approach the production of “Turn Down My Shine” with Tim Howarth to ensure the emotions remained authentic?
Dad has always been the person I go to for literally everything and anything, he understands me in a way that no one else does. We are very similar, the way we think, the way we feel. We both struggle with anxiety; I have always been very open with him about my mental health. When we write and produce music together, I am in my happy place. Creating music in the comfort of my home makes me feel safe, which I think really helps my songwriting. ‘Turn down my shine’ came from an open and honest conversation, I remember Dad saying ‘tell me how you’re feeling’. The words just kind of started flowing and somehow, we had a new song. The production was just part of this authentic journey and went through serval different versions.
5. As the first single from your upcoming EP, how does “Turn Down My Shine” introduce the themes and musical direction of the full release?
It doesn’t really. The EP is a collection of songs I wrote that are all individual expressions of various situations and relationships. We wanted to create a more upbeat song, I was playing around with a slightly more dynamic sound experimenting with my chest voice. The vocal range in this song was little out of my usual comfort zone. The first version of ‘turn down my shine’ was a little more relaxed, we realised the chorus needed to punch a lot more to highlight the frustration I was feeling at the time.
6. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for this new chapter of your career, and what can fans expect from you after the EP is released?
I hope to continue building my audience, play at a different level of gigs and I am also currently working towards another EP/album.