London-based, Spanish folk singer-songwriter Odina recently released melancholic new single ‘Nothing Makes Sense’.
She reveals something that never made sense to her, what music means to her and tells us much more, in a chat with us.
What is the message behind ‘Nothing Makes Sense‘?
I wrote it at a point in my life where I felt like nothing around me made any sense. It can be applied to any situation in today’s world, but at that point, I was just overthinking things in my own life.
What’s one thing in your life- something really simple – that you struggle to make sense of?
Sometimes I find it hard to understand people. I always seem to overthink, more so than other people. So that’s something that’s never made sense to me. But I suppose, that’s what makes me write and make music in the first place.
How would you describe your sound? Would you say its evolved in any way?
Melancholic, honest, folk. The genre is always a hard one, but folk. I think I’m always evolving as a writer. I’m constantly learning and changing. The song I wrote when I was 18 years old is very different from what I write today because I’m growing constantly.
You grew up in Spain, do your Spanish roots make their way into your music?
Yes, before I moved to London, I grew up in Spain, so it has definitely found its way into my music. I don’t sing in Spanish, but the influence still exists.
Who would say are your major musical influences?
Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, who I listen to a lot back home. But also newer bands, like The National.
What’s a really memorable moment in your career so far?
Recently, I played at a festival in Holland called EuroSonic. It was my first time playing abroad. The venue and the crowds were amazing. It was a great experience.
What’re your favourite venues among the ones you’ve played at?
There’s this venue, in Barcelona, that I’ve played a couple of times. It used to be called Apollo Two, but I think they’ve changed the name now. It’s not huge, but it just creates this vibe that everyone is so close to each other. Like there’s no space between you and the audience, it makes the experience even better.
Do you have a personal favourite song that you enjoy performing live?
My favourite changes a lot. Currently, my favourite song is a new song I just wrote- that doesn’t have a title yet. My songs are my favourite when they are fresh, but once I start playing them a lot, I bored and need to find new meanings to those songs. So new songs, in general, are my favourite to perform.
What’s one question that you wished you were asked in an interview, but you’ve never been asked?
That’s a hard one! Maybe, why I make music in the first place? When you’re a musician, and you get interviewed, people rarely ask why I am a musician. They just take that part for granted.
So why do you make music then?
Music for me is like therapy. It’s something I want to do in my life, no matter what.
If you weren’t a musician what do you think you’d be doing?
Well, I’m still a student, so if I weren’t doing music, I’d probably get into academic research. Who knows, I might still do that someday. But it definitely wouldn’t be something as creative or open as music is for me.
What’s one song on your playlist that’s been on repeat and stuck in your head, recently?
There’s this song by Rae Morris called ‘Do It‘. It makes me really happy and makes me want to do stuff. It’s a motivational song.
Finally, what’s next for you?
Releasing more singles from my EP and playing live. I’ve got a few show announcements as well. And I want to get my first album out.
Watch the official video – filmed in Paris – to ‘Nothing Makes Sense’ below:
Listen to Odina’s music on her SoundCloud, her official website, and follow her on Facebook, and Twitter.