Welcome to AP&R, the place we spotlight rising artists who will quickly develop into your new favourite.
Music has at all times been part of artist Softee’s life. Piloted by Nina Grollman, the pop persona has been experimenting with sounds since her youth, recording and producing music and singing covers all through highschool.
Hailing from Moorhead, Minnesota, Grollman has been primarily based out of Brooklyn, New York for nearly a decade, the place together with being an upcoming music sensation, she can be an actress on- and off-Broadway. Her 2020 debut album Preserve On was primarily self-engineered and was a automobile for introducing her authentic DIY pop sound to the world. After signing with Metropolis Slang Data, Softee launched her label debut single “Molly” in 2022, an electrical track impressed by one in all her first dates along with her fiancé.
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Her newest single “Come Dwelling” carries the ‘80s pop synth beat that has develop into a throughline of her work — an upbeat quantity that makes you need to break into dance in the midst of the road with lyrics that pierce your coronary heart.
Forward of her upcoming album Pure (due Could 16), AP spoke to the rising pop star about her inspirations, her writing course of, what it’s like writing as Softee, and extra.
What’s the origin story of your persona, Softee?
The delivery of Softee was in 2019 and that was simply out of a necessity for a distinct persona. I wanted one thing else that was not simply me as a result of I had carried out completely beneath my very own title all through town and simply by no means felt fairly proper. It felt like if I simply had a distinct title and a persona I may do a number of the issues that I wasn’t permitting myself to do as myself. I began producing an increasing number of as Softee got here alongside and located that sound. I am additionally an actress and I like sort of slip into characters and do different issues. I consider myself as Softee and it’s very liberating as a result of like, these should not issues I do in actual life.
How would you describe the music you create?
I put lots of my very own angst, pleasure, sophisticated emotions right into a pop format that is simple to grasp, and will get caught in your head. Additionally, I am very non-convoluted with my lyrical method. I am attempting to be as easy and simple as attainable more often than not. So in some methods, it is digestible angst. It is pop music, however it’s bought some angst. Not within the sound essentially however extra within the phrases.
What artists have helped encourage your sound?
I am an enormous fan of Robyn. I am very, very influenced by her, and what she does very well is she places her lyrics in distinction to her music. Her track “Dancing On My Personal” is the proper instance. It is such a tragic track lyrically, however the music is so excessive, and it simply needs to make you need to dance. Positively, Beyoncé is one in all my tops. I simply suppose she’s unbelievable, sonically. One other individual that influenced me all through my life, is Regina Spektor. It is not my method in any respect however I am impressed by her music. Her melodies are simply insane and so catchy, however advanced.
What’s your course of in relation to creating your music?
My track “Crimson Mild Inexperienced Mild” was distinctive as a result of, previously, I have been way more insular with my course of. I are inclined to maintain it to myself till I am within the levels the place there must be some closing touches or, I simply need somebody’s ear on it. However this album has been very completely different, collaboratively. I have been very open from the beginning of letting folks into the method, and that is been very nice, really.
With regards to your writing course of, is it tough when the traces between Nina and Softee blur?
I at all times begin from a spot of fact. It doesn’t matter what, it is at all times coming from me. Whether or not that’s then augmented or put by the lens of a sort of character relies on the track and the vibe. However I at all times do begin from a spot of some actually severe ideas or emotions that I am attempting to place into phrases.
What’s subsequent for you?
I believe that I’ve a lot extra to be taught and so many extra folks to collaborate with. It appears like only the start for me proper now.
