NEP – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND COOL CONVERSATION
Photo Ibe Van Bouchaute
By Ralph Beauchamp
Nep is a young indie-pop artist based out of Florida who has just released her new edgy single, “Florida Girl”. “Florida Girl” is off her forthcoming full length entitled Noelle dropping on 10/24 via Harbour Artists & Music. Nep is also a sound-engineer and produces much of her music herself. Nep‘s music is marked by genre hopping with a strong emphasis on storytelling. Her EP, Nep’s Storybook (2024), delivered twelve very different song which could be described as a smorgasbord of aural delights. Highlights from the EP include “A Big Brown Dog Named Bagel” and “Fender”.
Nep is a songsmith for modern times. Much of her lyricism deals with identity, growth, regret, mistakes and acceptance. Themes that constantly consume today’s youth. Nep‘s music is tender and endearing but it also has a wild side. Nep is unabashed with her life choices and tries to emphasize the concept self awareness to her adoring fans. Her new single “Florida Girl” especially plays into the stereotype of “Florida wildness” and turns that youthful angst into a personal anthem. Nep owns up to her past mistakes and embraces what makes her and you so different. A message for the ages!
Nep was kind enough to sit with AMP for this cool conversation.
AMP: When did you first realize you wanted to live your life as a musician?
NEP: Honestly, I was pretty set on working as an engineer until about…two years ago, maybe less? It wasn’t until I started struggling to balance my music career with my academic career that I considered it would ever be possible. I always had a little light inside of me that wanted to do this, but I was really shy when I was younger, and never ever EVER would’ve thought I would be where I am right now!!!
AMP: Who were some of your early influences?
NEP: Cavetown, Pinegrove, MCR, PTV, even early 5SOS!! I love a wordy emo song. They’re my absolute favorite.
AMP: What were your creative challenges in the beginning and how have they changed over time?
NEP: I find that my creativity is kinda fleeting. It seems I write a lot all at once, and then I don’t write for months until something hits me again. I still deal with this, but I’ve found it helpful to make myself stop writing, even when I want to keep going, to keep the little fire in me alive for another time.
AMP: Your new single is “Florida Girl.” What inspired you to write the song?
NEP: You’ve heard of Florida men…crazy guys that wrangle alligators…but there’s Florida Girls too!!!! Sometimes I feel like I somehow don’t fit in anywhere, even though I’m doing the same things as everybody else. When I would tell people I’m from Florida, at college, I was surprised when they would think it was kinda cool, and over time that made ME feel like it was kinda cool. I realized that I AM really loud, really passionate, and even really annoying sometimes! “Florida Girl” is me kinda trying to own those parts of myself.
AMP: What do you want your fans to take away from your music?
NEP: I hope people know that they can make anything they want to. You can start making music out of nowhere, you can teach yourself to play guitar, you can change your sound for absolutely no reason other than you wanting to! It’s super possible and tons of people do it, so why not you!?
AMP: Noelle, your debut full length drops on 10/24 via Harbour Artists & Music. How psyched are you and how did the two of you connect?
NEP: I’m SOOOOO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!! My last EP was released under Harbour as well…we connected a couple years back and we’ve been working together ever since. They’re the best ever. It feels like having a little family in my music world!!!
AMP: How important is a strong social media presence for a young artist like yourself?
NEP: It’s probably how 80% people find my music. Maybe more. I just made that number up, LOL. I’ve always loved making videos and connecting with people online, and it’s such a weird thing to try to explain to someone that this is my job! I have trouble comprehending it myself sometimes. I’m gonna ride the wave while I can, I feel super lucky!!!
AMP: If you could collab with any current artist, who would it be and why?
NEP: Oooo!!!! I’ve been listening to sooooo much ‘hey, nothing’. They are so amazing. But, I would need to get 10x better to even breathe the same air as them!!!
AMP: Your music is sonically delightful but it also has a wild and raw edge. How well does that translate to your live show?
NEP: The guys in my band are some of my best friends, so I feel like we’re all really comfortable together on stage. It makes me feel better about being myself in front of so many people I’ve never met before, which I think makes for a way better show! It’s sooooo fun to play with them and I can’t freaking wait for people to see what we’ve put together for these shows!!!
AMP: Do you feel the world is ready for the insanity you are about to unleash?
NEP: OMG. I hope so!!!!! I hope everybody loves these songs as much as I do!!!!!
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