Nestled within the romantic streets of Oslo, a quaint café bathed in the golden hues of dusk sets the scene, where the clinks of porcelain dance with the soft hum of conversation. Seated gracefully amidst this picturesque setting is the ethereal presence of Nova Kapelrud, known to the world as N V A . It’s a rare tableau, where one finds themselves immersed in the brilliance of musical genius, savoring the very essence of creativity over steaming cups of coffee.

The meeting with N V A turned out to be truly special. Was I impressed? Absolutely. Her cheerful and open attitude made the interview pleasant allowed me to engage in an open conversation about her music and learn more about her herself. I was struck not just by her talent, but also by the passion with which she articulated her creative vision. N V A reveals the essence of her musical secrets —the inspirations, the fervor, and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression. Graciously, she shares the alchemy behind her music – a fusion of the sun-kissed R&B and neo-soul flavors from her time in Los Angeles, interwoven with the addictive pop melodies that resonate with her Norwegian roots. The result is perfectly encapsulated in tracks like “Sorry, Sorry.” This brand new single stands shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Jhene Aiko and H.E.R., effortlessly bridging the gap between the Californian warmth and the cool Nordic vibes she effortlessly channels.

photo by Reeah Mode

Hey Nova! First off, big congrats on dropping “Sorry, Sorry” – it’s a vibe! The track takes us deep into the messy world of saying goodbye and dealing with all the feels that come after. What personal stories or inspirations lit the creative spark for this banger?

Hi Indie Boulevard! First of all, thank you! The song came almost immediately to me while dealing with a situation where I felt pretty broken about how things ended, although I knew it had to. Making someone who cares about you worried or sad isn’t a good feeling, and I think the immature version of myself would have been tempted to be cocky for making someone feel like that, but the more grown up version of myself has to take responsibility and… yeah, apologise. The song is inspired by a couple of my own stories combined with stories my friends have shared with me.

“Sorry, Sorry” is truly one of those tracks where the chorus just sticks in your head. What do you think is the secret behind this magic?

Wow, thank you! I came into the studio that day with so much on my plate, and was not prepared to make a song that was going to make it to the EP at all. My producer had called me earlier and I had for the first time ever forgotten about the studio session. I was so in my own head, and just decided to get very vulnerable since it probably wouldn’t come to anything anyways. So that’s that! I think being real will always hit home. 

“Sorry, Sorry” showcases a unique blend of sunny R&B, neo-soul, and pop melodies, drawing from your time in Los Angeles and your Norwegian roots. How do these contrasting musical influences contribute to the overall sound and vibe of your upcoming EP?

I used to listen to neo-soul and hip hop growing up, and whenever I’m jamming by myself the melodies usually come to me are inspired by all that. My brother actually sent me a live video of Tyler, the Creator performing “EARFQUAKE” a couple days prior, and since I usually go deeper into the soul/rnb vibe in my bridges, that was the inspiration for the melody there. I like mixing genres together. He also says “don’t leave, it’s my fault” during that performance… so maybe he inspired the lyrics too!

photo by Reeah Mode

The lyrics of “Sorry, Sorry” touch on the themes of humility and self-reflection in the face of a breakup. How important is it for you to convey a message of vulnerability and humility in your music, particularly in a genre that often explores themes of empowerment and self-assurance?

Oh this is a big one for me. I’ve often been disappointed in how many find it hard to take responsibility, be sorry, and instead just want to point fingers at how ‘toxic’ other people are. So – haha- now I’ve stopped being disappointed and rather just lead by example. Even if I’m a small voice, I want to be a voice that shows a different way than the “no one is better than me” way that we see so much of today. I think the world is a better place to live in and people trust you so much more if you can be the first one to say “I got it wrong” or “hey, you deserve good things, not just me.” If you soften people’s hearts like that, be ready to watch the domino effect. And those who don’t follow your example or treat you according to your standards, walk away gracefully. Hopefully they’ll learn one day. 

Your upcoming EP is highly anticipated, with “Sorry, Sorry” being the first glimpse. Can you give us a hint about the overarching themes or stories that will be explored?

The clouds in the background of the cover photo is an ongoing theme. I used to feel shame when people from my small town did the typical small town thing and told me to keep my head out of the clouds. But now I’ve come to decide there’s no place I’d rather be than a little bit off the ground. Each song has its own little glimpse of what I believe that means, like seeing things from a higher and divine perspective. The rest you’ll just have to wait and hear!

After soaking up the vibes in LA and rubbing elbows with legends like Romeo Johnson and Ben O’Neill, you decided to head back to Norway in 2017. How did the LA scene shape your artistic vision, and what drew you back to Norway to ignite your career there?

I think LA allowed me to get to the point I just spoke about. There was no small-town syndrome there. Or tall puppet syndrome as they say in Australia, “janteloven” in Norway. Everyone was allowed to dream big and feel a sense of purpose with their lives. I loved that. Of course we all have purpose! Let’s not downplay that our lives matter. 

Your previous releases, such as “Colorful,” “Why Did You,” “Had Enough,” and “Savage,” have achieved considerable success, including extensive radio plays in Norway. How have these past experiences shaped your evolution as an artist leading up to the creation of “Sorry, Sorry”?

The past songs represent the version of me that needed to come out stronger on the other side of tough situations. I had to learn self-respect and I loved bringing that to the studio. It was definitely welcomed by the other songwriters and producers as most of us like to feel good about ourselves so it was very much a “I deserve this and that vibe”. Now I have nothing to prove. I just want to make beautiful music that also speaks on the values I believe in. Come rain come shine, no one owes you anything, work hard, laugh at the days to come, stay humble, love even if it’s terrifying. You have no guarantees for tomorrow, but you can always be a person who leaves people around you a little better than you found them. Even if they won’t be your life for ever, trust me – they’ll always remember your light. 

Exciting times ahead with your debut EP on the horizon! The title is still under wraps, but can you give us a sneak peek into how you’re deciding on it? 

Higher perspective and the sky 😉 maybe you’ll be able to guess it!

With your busy schedule, how do you unwind and treat yourself after a successful release or a demanding studio session? 

I like to spend a lot of time by myself. Exercise, spa day at home, pray, write in my journal, eat candy. Watch Love Is Blind, haha. Nothing better!

Before we wrap up, let’s talk style! Your style is always on point, whether on stage or off-duty. How does fashion influence your creative expression, and are there any particular designers or trends that you’re currently vibing with?

Thank you, that is so sweet. I believe everyone can look great when they choose clothes that fit their silhouette and that they feel comfortable in. Other than that, the raincoat and the semi wet hair in some of the EP shots represent that I’m always ready for any weather, any storm. Head in the clouds, regardless. So yeah haha, there’s a thought behind pretty much everything I do. And no particular designer, but I love looking at pics from fashion week for inspiration.  

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*This interview was made possible by BTD Sounds PR