R&B Soulstress Lina Nikol talks the creative process & inspiration behind her relationship inspired latest release ‘Worth It’ + more

Lina Nikol

Photo Credit: Lily Craigen

Who or what ignited your passion for music and drove you to pursue it as a career?

When I was a kid, I would travel a lot with my parents and spend a lot of time in Norway, because they were both musicians and worked mainly abroad. I would fall asleep listening to them perform and the love for music just came naturally. They would buy so many records and I was so excited to listen to all of them.

How would you describe your sound in a way that sets you apart from the crowd, and why do you think it resonates with listeners?

Even though I mainly describe my music as RnB, I believe that it has a bit of pop and soul in it. I always write from personal experience and it just doesn’t feel like it’s copy/paste from other artists that I listen to. I believe that I have my own way of telling my story.

Your latest release, ‘Worth It’, is making waves on all major platforms! Can you take us behind the scenes of its creation and share the story or feelings that inspired it?

The story is quite unexpected actually. I was not in the mood to write, because there were two rooms next to one another and the second one which me and the producer usually go to was taken by rappers and they were so loud and it was so annoying that I was literally gonna leave and call it a day. But Ashton Sellars insisted and said “let’s just try something and just go for it”. So he started playing the guitar and I just hummed the melody and it felt like this is something special and worth working on. So yeah, not the expected session for sure, but I’m so glad we wrote that day.

Out of all the songs you’ve written, which one holds the deepest meaning for you, and what’s the story behind its emotional connection?

I always go back to one particular song and it’s the most vulnerable body of work I’ve done so far. The song is called ‘Moving Mountains’. It’s a ballad, part of my album ‘Who I Am’. I wrote this song at a very, very difficult time of my life. The song just poured out of me, I wasn’t thinking about making music, wasn’t thinking about anything, I just needed to let my emotions out and find some solace. This is the most honest and real experience I’ve had with music. The song is about believing in yourself even when it’s hard to do so. And it’s about that moment when you realise how much strength you can actually have. It makes me emotional even just writing about it.

Striking a chord with your audience while staying true to your artistry can be tricky—how do you navigate that balance?

I really believe in what Rick Rubin says, which is staying true to yourself and making the music you love. The rest will come and the audience will find you.

What has been the most unforgettable or career-defining moment for you so far, and how did it shape you as an artist?

A recent unforgettable experience was opening for PJ Morton at Bush Hall. It was also kind of my introduction to the London audience and I just remember how amazing that felt. People were so warm and welcoming and it was a beautiful night.

Lina Nikol

If you could pass on a single piece of wisdom to aspiring singer-songwriters, what would it be, and why is it so important?

The most important piece of advice that I would give them is to have fun during the process and remember that it’s a journey, not a one-time opportunity and they shouldn’t put too much pressure on themselves. It’s important because everything is energy and if you try too hard, especially for the wrong reasons, you’re missing out on important lessons which will help you in the long run. I hope that makes sense.

What exciting projects or goals do you have on the horizon, and how are you preparing to level up your artistry?

Definitely a lot of goals, but I am superstitious in sharing too much. There are a few collaborative projects in 2025 which I am really excited to share. I will be doing a lot of writing and working towards my next EP.

Lastly, is there anything you’d love to share with your supporters or something on your heart that we haven’t touched on?

I wanna thank everyone who has made the effort to open Spotify, go to my profile and check my music, or subscribed to my newsletter, or followed me on any of the platforms because even the smallest gesture of support means the world to me. Also, I have an upcoming show on 22nd of January at The Waiting Room, so I invite everyone who wants to come and connect in person.

Worth It is available now via all major platforms.

Connect with Lina Nikol

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