Kat Harlton
PC: Felice Trinidad
Pop songstress NIIVA, recently released her bold new single “Friends” via RÊVE MUSIC and The Orchard on all streaming platforms.
“Friends” has seen key support early on and been chosen as October and November’s iHeart Radio Future Star a highly coveted program that highlights up and coming talent from across the country every 8 weeks through Bell Media radio stations.
Produced by Toronto’s Emery Taylor (Kiesza, R3HAB), “Friends” is best described as a taste of forbidden fruit. With smooth, intimate vocals overtop an infectious beat, this fresh new single is bursting with the sweet, familiar anticipation of the classic “friends to lovers” narrative that we all know and love.
In other news, NIIVA notably co-wrote record-breaking debut single “Black Mamba” for KPOP girl group aespa, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard World Album charts, No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. In October, NIIVA returns to Korea for another writing trip to further her resume of KPOP collaborations.
I had the opportunity to chat with Niiva about her latest single “Friends”, being chosen as an iHeart Radio Future Star and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your latest single “Friends”? How did the song come about?
Niiva: Almost all of my serious relationships have stemmed from friendships first and foremost. I find that when you get to know someone without the pressure of romantic interest and having to impress them and be something other than your truest, most relaxed self, that’s when you find out the true essence of each other. And that’s when I’ve gotten into the most trouble… it’s so scary and exciting realizing that you’ve crossed the line of friendship and you have to make the call now – this is obviously more than a platonic friendship, what do we want to do? That’s what this song is about.
Kat: “Friends” was chosen as October and November’s iHeart Radio Future Star, a highly coveted program that highlights up and coming talent from across the country every 8 weeks through Bell Media radio stations. How does it feel to have your work recognized in this way?
Niiva: It’s an absolutely amazing feeling to be recognized on such a huge platform, and it’s a huge huge honor. Of course, as an artist you put out the songs that you love and that you’re most excited about, but I create music to be shared with and enjoyed by other people, so when the song connects like that, it’s unbelievably fulfilling.
Kat: You have some impressive songwriting credits under your belt, including for record-breaking debut single “Black Mamba” for KPOP girl group aespa, which reached No. 1 on multiple Billboard charts. How does the process differ for you when writing a song for another artist vs writing one for yourself?
Niiva: I find I filter myself less when writing for others, and it’s a bit more of a free flowing process that way. When I write for myself I tend to think about exactly what it is that I want to say as an artist, and what I want to reflect my voice and my brand specifically, but sometimes I can overthink things, to a fault.
Kat: What has been a musical highlight of your year so far?
Niiva: Definitely being chosen as iHeart Radio’s Future Star for October and November, and being invited back to a writing camp in Seoul for SM Entertainment at the beginning of this month. My job is insane, and I’m so grateful for it.
Kat: What’s next?
Niiva: Now that we can do shows again, I will be going on stage to perform everything I’ve put out during quarantine and all the new music I have coming! I can’t wait to perform it all live and take it on the road.
Connect With Niiva
Facebook: /itsniiva
Instagram: @itsniiva
Twitter: @itsniiva
TikTok: @itsniiva
Website: https://itsniiva.com