I think revisiting those songs made me realize how much growth and change I’ve gone through since then. It’s interesting to see how my writing style has evolved and how my relationship with music has shifted. It’s like looking back at a snapshot of a different time in my life and seeing how far I’ve come. I think it’s important to reflect on the past and appreciate the journey that has led me to where I am now. It’s all part of the process of growth and self-discovery.
Breaking off from Hundred Waters and venturing into your solo career, what inspired you to take this step and explore your creativity outside of the group?
After Communicating, I felt like I needed a change. I love the guys in Hundred Waters, we’re all best friends, but I think we were all feeling a little burnt out. We had been touring and making music together for almost a decade, and I think we all needed some time to explore our own paths and see what else was out there for us creatively. For me, it was about challenging myself to see what I could do on my own and pushing myself to grow as an artist. I wanted to see what kind of music I could make when I was solely responsible for every aspect of the process.
Creating Myopia was a deeply personal and introspective journey for me. I wanted to push myself to explore new sounds and ideas and really dive deep into my emotions and experiences. It was a challenging process, but also incredibly rewarding. I feel like I’ve learned so much about myself and my craft through making this album, and I’m excited to see where this new chapter in my musical journey will take me.
Can you walk us through the making of Myopia and how you approached writing, performing, and producing the album on your own?
Yeah, so I started working on Myopia right after Communicating. I knew I wanted to do something different and really challenge myself creatively. I spent a lot of time experimenting with different sounds and ideas, trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and explore new territories. I wrote a lot of the songs on piano and then started layering in different textures and electronic elements to create a rich, dynamic sound.
One of the biggest challenges for me was learning how to produce the album on my own. I had never really done that before, so it was a steep learning curve. But I was determined to see it through and really take ownership of every aspect of the process. It was a lot of trial and error, but I think that’s where some of the most interesting and unexpected moments came from. I wanted to create something that felt authentic and true to me, and I think that’s what I was able to achieve with Myopia.
The album explores themes of desire, love, and longing, as well as the idea of limiting beliefs and not seeing one’s potential or power. How did these themes influence the writing and production of the album?
Yeah, those themes were really at the core of the album for me. I think a lot of the songs on Myopia are about grappling with those feelings of desire and longing, and trying to break free from the limitations we place on ourselves. It was a deeply personal and introspective process for me, and I think those themes really shaped the sound and vibe of the album. I wanted to create a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in the music, to really capture those raw and honest emotions.
At the same time, I also wanted to explore the idea of power and potential, of not being able to see the full scope of what we’re capable of. I think that’s something a lot of us struggle with, that sense of self-doubt and insecurity. So I wanted to confront those feelings head-on and try to find a sense of empowerment and strength in the music. I think that’s where a lot of the energy and intensity of the album comes from.
What do you hope listeners take away from Myopia and how do you see this album fitting into your musical journey?
For me, Myopia is a really important step in my musical journey. It’s the first time I’ve put out an album under my own name, and it feels like a new beginning in a lot of ways. I hope that listeners can connect with the music on a deep level and find moments of resonance and reflection in the songs. I think we all go through periods of self-doubt and uncertainty, and I wanted to create a soundtrack for those moments, something that could offer comfort and solace.
Ultimately, I hope that Myopia can be a source of inspiration and empowerment for listeners, a reminder that we all have the power to break free from our limitations and embrace our full potential. I think that’s a message that resonates with me personally, and I hope it can resonate with others as well. I’m excited to see where this album takes me and how it connects with people, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my music with the world.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and insights with us, Nicole. We can’t wait to see where your musical journey takes you next!
How did those recordings contribute to the overall sound and atmosphere of the album?
Field recordings were a huge part of this album. They really set the scene for a lot of the songs. I think it’s a way for me to connect with the world around me and bring that into the music. It adds a layer of reality to the songs, a sense of place. I think it also adds a depth and a texture that you can’t get from just synthesizers or samples. It’s like a sonic diary, capturing moments and sounds that are meaningful to me. I love the idea of taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary through music.
What do you hope listeners take away from Myopia, both in terms of the music itself and the journey you went on to create it?
I hope listeners connect with the music on a personal level. I hope it resonates with them in some way, whether it’s through the lyrics, the melodies, or the overall atmosphere of the album. I want them to feel something when they listen to it, to be moved or inspired. As for the journey I went on to create it, I hope it shows that it’s okay to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone. It’s important to challenge yourself and push your boundaries as an artist. I hope it inspires others to do the same in their own creative pursuits.
Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Just a big thank you to everyone who has supported me and my music. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and encouragement of my fans, friends, and family. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to create and share my art with the world. And to anyone out there who is pursuing their passion, keep going. Keep pushing yourself, keep growing, and keep creating. The world needs your unique voice and perspective. Thank you.
But I do think there’s something to be said about how different sounds can evoke different emotions. With ‘Autograph’ and ‘Lure’, I was definitely going for a more pop-forward sound because those songs are about desire and that push-and-pull dynamic you mentioned. Pop music has a way of capturing those intense emotions in a really immediate and accessible way. It’s like a direct line to your feelings.
On the other hand, the more classical and electronic elements on the album can create a different kind of atmosphere. The harp, for example, has a very ethereal and almost mystical quality to it. It can transport you to a different world. And electronic sounds can be very visceral and intense, like a surge of energy.
So I think I do tend to gravitate towards certain sounds or instruments depending on the emotional dynamics I’m trying to convey. But at the same time, it’s also about following my instincts and letting the music guide me. It’s a balance between intention and intuition. Una vez que empecé a coleccionar pequeños sintetizadores y cajas de ritmos para viajar, probablemente fue ahí donde empecé a hacer más el sonido que escuchas en ‘Autograph’ y ‘Lure’. No creo que sea algo super intencional. En mi mente, todos estos diferentes géneros, música clásica y música de baile, son realmente similares para mí; simplemente existen en diferentes periodos de tiempo. Incluso la idea de tiempo – no sé cómo articular esto y probablemente suene muy místico, pero no pienso en la música clásica como la música del pasado y la música electrónica como la música del futuro. Es lo mismo, solo que con diferentes herramientas. La música clásica – esas eran las canciones pop en ese momento, esas eran las canciones de baile. La gente estaba bailando un vals con esa música en las fiestas; tenía un lugar diferente al que eventualmente se convirtió en música de museo de arte. Debido a que mi proceso es tan serendipitoso e instintivo, tengo que confiar en que hay una razón por la que esas herramientas están ahí, o que hay una razón por la que cogí esa guitarra o caja de ritmos.
Hablaste sobre cómo gran parte de este álbum se trataba de hacerlo tú mismo y tener control creativo. ¿Sientes la necesidad de seguir un proceso igualmente solitario en el futuro, o te lleva a involucrar a otras personas en ello?
Creo que me dio una idea mucho más clara de en qué soy bueno y en qué quizás alguien más podría ser mejor en ciertas áreas. La respuesta corta es no, no estoy interesado en trabajar completamente solo. Lo hice y aprendí lo que necesitaba aprender. Pero el siguiente álbum creo que va a ser mucho más colaborativo, va a tener mucha más aportación. Debido a que tengo una idea más clara de mí mismo y de mi identidad en lo que puedo aportar, eso solo hará que colaborar sea más fácil en el futuro. Quiero abrir de nuevo ese proceso, seguro. Tengo mucho más respeto por el lado más técnico, sé lo que alguien más podría hacer que quizás yo no pudiera. Estoy interesado en explorar eso más.
¿De qué manera te ha hecho más seguro en ti mismo?
Soy más seguro pidiendo ayuda, porque sé hasta dónde puedo llevar algo, y sé cuánto tiempo llevará. Pero siento que me desafié a hacer este proyecto de la manera en que lo hice, y estoy orgulloso de haberlo hecho. Sé que todavía hay mucho más que tengo que aprender. No diría que el álbum me hizo más seguro; abrió tantas áreas donde quiero aprender más. Fue humillante.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y resumida para mayor claridad y longitud.
Myopia de Nicole Miglis ya está disponible a través de Sargent House.