Q&A: Navvy

Pop queen Navvy continues to serve us with addictive hooks dripping with punchy, captivating production with her latest self-produced single “Rock Bottom”. A vocal powerhouse who’s curated her own infectious sound, there’s no doubt this outstanding kiwi is making room for her place on the world stage. She chats to us about the track, her upcoming music (dropping very soon!), the highlights of her career so far and more.

We’d love to know a little bit about your musical journey so far from when you first started singing and making music!

I started singing when I was really little - maybe 8? I got singing lessons and actually trained classically for 10 years, before I went to Auckland University and got a Pop Music degree! That’s where I started writing songs and figuring out what pop music even is, really.

We’ve got “Rock Bottom” on repeat, it’s an absolute bop! Can you tell us about the meaning behind this track and what inspired you to write it?

THANK YOU!!!! I wrote it because I have this innate need to be needed, and most people only ask for help when they have finally reached rock bottom. Writing this song really was like therapy for me because it was going deeeeeep into who I actually am as a person and not just how I feel about a situation. 

What were some of your most memorable moments working on “Rock Bottom”?

Well it was actually my first time ever producing a track by myself and so that is something I’ll never forget. It was a real trial and error experience as I fumbled my way through finding sounds that I liked. We also wrote the song in London in January and it was freezing and we were locked down and it was our one escape to go to the studio and work. I distinctly remember skipping down the road after writing the song to try to keep warm. Like, literally skipping.

Amazing! Plus, the music video is EVERYTHING from the choreography to the euphoric aesthetic to the confidence! How did you come up with the concept of it, and what was your most favourite part about filming it?

I just decided to be a popstar, and the incredible team I have made it happen. So we got a custom outfit designed by Jessica Grubisa, and we got the best dancers EVER (Kirsten Dodgen, Althea Strydom, Maria Wrassky-Bulmer, Hana Morris, Christa Albert) who were also the most fun, and they taught me a dance and I honestly have not had more fun. I think just being on set with those gals and getting to dance was my favourite part. It was unbelievably enjoyable. 

Do you have more new music on the way soon? If so, what can you tell us about what to expect?

Yes I SURE DO. I am so excited to be releasing again after everything was put on hold in 2020. I have another song coming later this year, as well as a headline show in November in Auckland. The next song is quite different to my last releases which is so cliche to say but also true. I’m really excited about it, it’s wild.

Can’t wait! Who would you say are your biggest inspirations in music?

Taylor Swift, historically, has been easily my biggest inspiration in music and just being a human, and she still is, but I think just any pop female ever. I’m super inspired by Maisie Peters and Julia Michaels, their writing styles and also just their work ethic and how fun they are. 

You’ve worked with so many amazing writers, artists & producers (we saw you were in the studio with Zara Larsson recently?!) and you’ve played some incredible shows! What do you think would be the highlight of your career so far?

YES!! I have been so incredibly lucky. I absolutely loved playing my first festival with all of my best pals and family watching - it was Homegrown 2021, so it was also all New Zealand artists and THAT was a dream. I have also been incredibly lucky to spend the better part of the last year in London writing with dream collaborators (artists and writers) and I genuinely sit at home alone at the end of most days smiling to myself haha. 

Who are some of your favourite NZ artists right now and are there any songs in particular that you love or connect with?

I am so incredibly biased because he is my pal, but Wells* makes … such good music. We truly do not deserve him. I also love the new Thomston era (also my pal, but I swear I just love it), and he also has a new song out!!! I also love what Foley, Paige, Lévyne, Robinson, BENEE are doing (it’s hard to list because I will have missed someone but honestly NZ is elite and anything New Zealand you can get your hands on is a good thing).

What do you love most about New Zealand? Do you have any favourite places to travel to or local spots to visit?

I HAVE SO MUCH NZ PRIDE. I literally tell anyone that will listen about how it is the best place when I am travelling for work. I think the west coast beaches in Auckland are incredibly special (Muriwai in particular) because my best friends and I have spent a lot of time there. I also love Arrowtown - it’s so cute and feels like a movie. I once went to the glaciers on the west coast of the South Island and man oh MAN they are stunning. Anywhere in New Zealand is the best place in the world though.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career and what advice do you have for new artists out there?

I think the most important thing I learned recently is a quote I heard from one of my favourite people Lévyne (fantastic NZ artist) and she said “music is never an emergency” or something to the effect. I think that is SO important to remember. Rest is important, and when you are a new artist, everything feels so immediate and important but in 99% of those situations, it can wait. Your mental wellbeing needs to come first, or you’ll be forced to deal with a backlog of emotion later.

Lastly, if you could say one thing to every person in the world, what would it be?

That is a lot of pressure, but I think I try to always remember everyone is doing their best. Being a human can be really hard, and I think more often than not, we could give each other a little more grace and kindness. 

Thank you so much Navvy! Make sure you keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.