Yvette Nacer – Quicksand

By starrymag | November 22, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) That’s always a tough question.  I would say maybe Spanglish Soul/Pop with some alternative tendencies.

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have so many.  I love the blues, soul music, jazz, R&B.  Growing up, I mostly heard whatever was on the radio and my mom’s old records – anything from The Beatles to Celia Cruz, Vivaldi to Whitney Houston.  I love anything soulful that’s feels good and feels honest.

 

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Quicksand.”

A) I was inspired to write “Quicksand” because at the moment I felt stuck and was frustrated that I seemed to be in a negative loop.  The song is essentially a cry for help and a determination to break the pattern.  We all feel trapped sometimes but we have the power to rise above it.

 

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think we’ve all felt frustrated by repeating the same mistakes and trying to move forward in some way only to find you haven’t moved at all.

 

 

Q) How did your passion for violin begin?

A) My mom had me taking violin lessons when I was three years old. I fell in love with music officially while I was playing in a Youth Orchestra and have been playing, singing and writing ever since.

 

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) It’s always different. Sometimes the words and music come together, sometimes I have a melody or a lyric idea I really like, sometimes it’s a chord progression or riff I have in mind. My favorite though is sitting at a piano and writing about whatever I’m feeling in that moment.

 

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

A) I’ve actually produced quite a bit of my own music.  But if someone else is doing the production, I may just offer some ideas here and there.

 

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Yvette Nacer performance?

A) Awesome music, a taste of my Cuban roots and to leave hopefully feeling elevated and connected.

 

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

A) Yes! Working on that now!

 

 

Q) You’re incredible in the musical “Hadestown!” What was it about this production that made you want to be a part of it?

A) Thank you so much!  I did a couple of workshops of “Hadestown” with the New York Theatre Workshop back in 2015 and 2017 and immediately knew in my spirit it was a very special piece.  Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin are such brilliant and incredible creators and collaborators and I’m just honored to be a part of such a singular and powerful show that truly touches peoples’ hearts.

 

 

Q) What have you personally taken away from your time performing in this show?

A) Aside from just getting to share the stage with so many talented artists, I can safely say that every night I am up on that stage I am learning something new.  As an artist and a human, that is such a gift.

 

 

Q) You have been a part of a number of incredible productions. What have been some of your favorites to star in?

A) I absolutely loved being a part of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s “In the Heights” where I got to play the role of Vanessa.  To be able to celebrate my Hispanic roots in this way and in this medium absolutely filled my heart to the brim.  Also, there was a real sense of family within the whole cast and a lot of these people are still my very close friends.  I am forever grateful for that show and that whole experience.

 

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) I always love performing in New York. I grew up in Miami so NY was always this dreamy place for me.  Every time I perform there it feels pretty magical.  I played in a band for a while and we got to play Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden and that was pretty epic for me. Now, getting to perform at the Walter Kerr Theatre so often feels very much like coming home.

 

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I’ve always wanted to work with Mark Ronson and maybe do a song with Marc Anthony or Draco Rosa.

 

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) These days I am loving listening to Billie Eilish and Mon LaFerte. I always love a good Florence + The Machine moment or John Mayer who just gets it.

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It took me a while to get onboard with social media, but now I recognize it is actually a wonderful space to create community and I love having the opportunity to connect to fans right away.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support and especially to those who have been there from the very beginning.  It means so much to me and it is an honor to be able to share this journey together.

 

 

Listen To “Quicksand”

 

Listen to “Forgotten”