Photo Credit: Katie Silvester
What sense would you say makes you the most nostalgic? That’s just one of the things we talked to Soph Nathan of Our Girl about and if you keep on reading you’ll learn that we shared the same answer! We also dove into wanting magic wands, physical concert tickets, and more like Our Girl’s 2024 release, ‘The Good Kind,’ which dropped everywhere on November 8th via Bella Union.
Kendra: Part of the foundation of your November 8th release is community. When it comes to music, do you think it’s wise to build as you go or to find the right place and people before you get started?
Soph Nathan: Hello! I think it depends, making music can lead you to people in the same world as yours, which is a really cool thing. If you’re surrounded by those people from the off then that’s naturally a supportive foundation to start from but of course, it’s not always possible. And it’s cool to think of where the music might take you if you put it out before you know!
Kendra: As someone whose partner dealt with cancer, I could really relate to “What You Told Me.” As the other person, you can feel hopeless a lot of the time, and definitely try and grasp the tiny moments of joy. Was there one moment of joy in particular that sparked the idea for this song?
Soph: I’m so sorry to hear that, I really hope they’re doing okay now. Feeling hopeless is horrible, I’ve often wished I could wave a magic wand! I think it was just in the simple moments of respite really, laughing together about something that cuts through the fog! The original catalyst for the song was actually something that my partner said about how she felt when she wasn’t well that broke my heart a bit, and like lots of the songs on the album, the catharsis of letting that sadness out brought me back round to appreciating the joyous and more hopeful moments.
Kendra: In “The Good Kind” nostalgia is mentioned, followed by the line, “I’ll see or touch or taste or hear it.” When it comes to your senses, what makes you the most nostalgic; smells, sights, sounds, tastes, or textures?
Soph: Smells the most! But “The Good Kind” was sparked from hearing Ella Fitzgerald come on the radio. And I wrote “Something Exciting” after tasting something that took me so strongly back to my time living in Brighton.
Kendra: You already have dates on the books for this fall as well as some ready to go for 2025. Other than great live music, what else do you always hope people walk away with when they leave an Our Girl show?
Soph: I’d hope they’d feel comforted in some way or to leave with a sense of togetherness. I always feel really inspired to write when I go see bands I Iove, so it’d be cool if it made people feel that way too. Inspired or excited to make music or cheered up in some way!
Kendra: Also, just out of curiosity – has the UK abandoned physical tickets like the US? I used to save all of mine and speaking of nostalgia, those are the things I miss most about concerts.
Soph: I have so many saved too! Such a nice thing to have. But we definitely have less of them in the UK these days. At least for smaller shows!
Kendra: Time for a side note – What song would you say you’re more thankful for as a fan of music?
Soph: Ooh so many!! For now, I’d say “Spring” by Angel Olsen. I always put it on if I need a bit of energy/a cheer-up. One of the best songwriters around I think.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘The Good Kind’ out everywhere on November 8th and some dates already on the books, any other plans as we head into the winter months and soon, 2025?
Soph: Mainly just our UK tour. It’s been a long time coming so we’re so excited to do it again and play these songs live for the first time. I’m hoping we’ll get to Europe and the US too but we’ll see!!
