GET TO KNOW: NITALIA HOPE
Norcal native, Nitalia Hope, has been singing before she could speak. Early on, she followed her love of music by participating in school choir to studying Opera in her higher education. She began writing music in her early twenties, guiding her to where she is now: traversing space through her distinictive sound. Her driven storytelling is strikingly powerful as her soft spoken tone. At the moment, Nitalia resides in Los Angeles and is working on her upcoming album.
What is your artist name?
Nitalia Hope (& The ex lovers)
How would you and or others describe your sound?
Some of my friends call it ‘whimsical melancholy’ since I’ve got a lot of folksy lyrics with grunge-like grit underneath. Almost all of my music is very melancholic but, I think that’s just a product of my experiences.
What is your all time favorite song or song at the moment?
“Shut Your Mouth” by Garbage has been stuck in my head. “Brand New City” by Mitski and “Cactus Tree” by Joni Mitchell are my all time favorites. Oh, and “Red Dirt Girl” by Emmylou Harris! That one is a masterclass in storytelling.
Who are the artists you are heavily influenced by?
Florence Welch, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Mitski, and The Smashing Pumpkins. An interesting mix; they are all such unique artists even within their respective genres I can’t help but be influenced by them.
What is an artistic goal you’ve set for yourself?
To finish and release my album before my 26th birthday! I’ve been working on it since 2019. And I’m ready for it to go out into the world but it’s scary. I’m working on being less precious with everything I create.
What's next in your music career – any new projects you’re pursuing?
I’ve just started a band! The Ex Lovers, I’m not usually very collaborative in my songwriting process so I’m excited to explore that with some of my favorite people. It’s made the process a lot more fun now that I have wonderful people to share it with.
Who is your ideal artist to collaborate with? Why?
I have always loved Mitski’s sheer honesty in everything she does. I feel like we both mesh sonically as well, so working with her on a project would just be an absolute dream (Although, I’m sure I would leave those sessions emotionally wrecked.) Alternatively, it’s an absolute bucket list item of mine to write for a Greta Gerwig film. I just feel like we view the world so similarly (also we’re both from Sacramento!)
If your art could positively impact society in any way, how would it?
At the end of the day, I just hope it makes someone feel less alone. It’s like I’m putting myself out on a limb hoping someone hears me and thinks “Thank God, I’m not the only one who feels this way’.” Especially since I’m experiencing life through the lens of a woman, (or even in a broader sense just as someone who is perceived as feminine). I am just existing as that comes with so much trauma as it is, unreal. I really truly want people who identify with the music I make to be given the space to be fucking angry and scream along to a song about it in a room full of other people who understand. Often times, we don’t get that luxury.
What (non-artist) figure inspires you to keep going?
So many people really, I can’t choose just one. I’m so sincerely grateful to be surrounded by nothing but support from all sides. Although I do feel more driven whenever I remember who I was when I was little. If she saw me now, she would be so happy. I think I forget that sometimes.
How do you stay grounded being a musician in the industry?
Honestly, it’s the knowledge that I’m not ‘just’ a musician. Sure, I love making music and it’s something I hope I’ll never stop doing. Outside of that, I have so many rich relationships and hobbies to nurture. I don’t see myself as someone who will let my quality of life suffer in order to “succeed” in the commercial sense of the word. And I’m also very lucky to be surrounded by people that I love, that would never let me do that to myself. I’m perfectly happy as I am now, making little tunes and singing them for people when I’m able.