A Chat With Never Enough In Love About “Heart”
Q: Hi! “Heart” ended up on Netflix shows before most people even knew it existed as a proper release. Did that feel like the right way for a song like that to find its audience, or did it catch you off guard?
A: It felt the perfect way for the song to be introduced to listeners. I am pretty much unknown and this way the song was given a big platform and has been used in some beautiful romantic scenes which has resonated with the audience.
It’s not important to me that they know who I am, just that they like the song.
Q: There’s already a serious streaming number attached to the demo alone. Does that kind of early momentum feel like pressure going into the official release, or does it just give you confidence?
A: With the official release I knew I wouldn’t get those kind streaming numbers as I don’t have a large following. So I was just glad to be able to show my finished version and it’s great that people really like it. I guess with those initial numbers it did give me some confidence knowing that people already like the demo version of the song.
Q: When you listen back to “Heart” now, what’s the one decision — production, arrangement, a lyric — that you’re most glad you didn’t second-guess?
A: I’m just glad I didn’t leave it at the demo stage and continued to work on the song. I added a second verse and continued to work on the build up throughout making a more euphoric ending. I’m still glad I kept it simple as I think that’s what people like about it.
Q: The vocal on the track has this real sense of restraint to it. Is that something that came naturally, or did you have to talk yourself out of doing more with it?
A: I always try to keep my vocals very delicate like a confession or a whisper. I don’t like to put on accents or add styles to my vocals. I know my limitations as a vocalist and therefore have to find another way to draw the listener in. I tend to put the bigger vocal performances to the back of the mix and the quieter ones to the front. I used a falsetto for Heart as I wanted the voice to be very separate from the piano melody and not get lost.
Q: A lot of producers in your position would reach for a bigger sound to fill the emotional weight of a song like this. What made you go the other direction?
A: I always like to build up a song like a story, start with the small pieces then let them fall into place, building the sound up gradually to a point where It all makes sense as a whole.
Q: Where did “Heart” actually start — was it a feeling, a line, a sound, or something that happened?
A: Most of my lyrics are about heartbreak and regret. With Heart I wanted it to be positive and take stock of all the good things about life. Mainly having someone in your life who accepts you without reservation.
Q: You’re writing and producing this yourself, which means you’re alone in the room with something quite personal for a long time before anyone else hears it. What does that process do to you by the time you finally let it out?
A: I always have to be happy with a song before I let someone listen. I will take long walks along the beach listening to the song over and over and find ways to improve it. Sometimes I will leave it for months and go back to it when I’m in the right headspace. I enjoy writing alone as it gives me the chance to be true to my own ideas and feelings.
Q: Is there a moment in “Heart” that means something completely different to you now than it did when you wrote it?
A: Probably the line “ When it gets dark, you take me to your heart” at first I meant this as ,when the sun has gone down and it’s night time but now I feel this can also be interpreted as when life gets “dark” and things don’t work out as you wanted them to.
Q: The people who’ve connected with your music seem to respond to something very specific in it — not just “it’s emotional,” but something harder to name. What do you think that thing actually is?
A: With this E.P I just wanted to make pure and honest music, with lyrics about real life, accompanied by music that is not overstylised and is accessible . Maybe it’s the simplicity that people connect with. All I ever wanted to do was make something beautiful and “beautiful” seems to be a word that is used a lot when people give me feedback.
Q: Do you think “Heart” is a song that needs to be heard quietly and alone, or does it hold up in other contexts?
A: The good thing about Heart is that it can be both. I think people can hear it and listen introspectively but also it can work as a song for people to connect over.
Q: What does the rest of this year look like for Never Enough In Love — are you building toward something, or letting it unfold as it goes?
A: It has taken a lot of confidence for me to release my E.P. With the music business being so hard to navigate these days I feel lucky that I am managing to build an audience at last, no matter what size. I will be playing Live in London and Brighton in July as I really feel that this will be a great way to present my songs and build more connection with audiences. I have many other songs almost finished which will lead to another E.P soon.
