Neda Had a Relatable Coming Of Age Moment Writing "To Be Loved By You"

“To Be Loved By You” is able to craft intricate soundscapes which touch on the nostalgic while remaining forward-thinking as Neda’s debut EP. Neda just recently released this EP as an elegant four-track body of work. Her music came into fruition while she was still learning about herself and growing into the artist she wanted to become. In a conversation with Clique, Neda shares how her music is an extension of herself as a person and how she builds an identity around her songs. She also shares about growing up with a lack of artists with middle-eastern heritage that she could look up to.

CLIQUE: When did you first start falling in love with creating music?

NEDA: I’ve always sang since I was a kid but I first fell in love with songwriting when I was seventeen. I studied music at a school called ELAM and as soon as I had my first songwriting lesson I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a profession - I was hooked instantly. 

CLIQUE: Your debut EP ‘To Be Loved By You’ is able to craft intricate soundscapes which touch on the nostalgic while remaining forward-thinking. Is there a specific sound or feeling you wanted your audience to have after listening to your EP?

NEDA: I want people to get a sense of who I am and what inspires me when they listen to my music. I write all my songs myself, so my music is just an extension of me as a person. I usually build an identity around my songs so it would be really cool if people feel like they know me a bit better after listening to my EP. 

CLIQUE: ‘To Be Loved By You’, is a gorgeous homage to some of the music that you have been influenced by. Who are some of your influences?

NEDA: I became really obsessed with 60s pop and country music at the time of writing this EP. Artists such as Brenda Lee and Roy Orbison had a huge impact on my songwriting and pushed me to explore different styles of music. I would say the Connie Francis 'Gold’ album influenced me the most, it inspired me to include different stylistic elements in my songs. That’s why there’s a key change at the end of my single ‘To Be Loved By You’, it was after listening to the song ‘Teddy’ over and over again like there was no tomorrow. 

CLIQUE: Writing ‘To Be Loved By You’ was a relatable coming of age moment for you. Can you speak more about that?

NEDA: I wrote my first EP ‘To Be Loved By You’ whilst I began studying music at university. I was a bit of a loner in first year and self-confidence was something I was still working on. These songs came into fruition whilst I was still learning about myself and growing into the artist I wanted to become. I’m grateful that I began practicing self-love because it gave me the confidence to start releasing my music independently. 

“Your aspirations definitely feel more tangible once you have a role model to look up to. I feel really grateful to be able to make and release music and hopefully I can inspire someone to do the same.” 

CLIQUE: Being born to Iranian parents, what does it mean to you to be able to make music and represent diversity in the music industry?

NEDA: I think diversity is vital in every industry - growing up there was a lack of artists with middle-eastern heritage that I could look up to. That’s why Snoh Aalegra is a huge inspiration to me. When I found out she was Iranian I got a sudden boost of motivation. I thought to myself that if she can do it, I can do it as well. Your aspirations definitely feel more tangible once you have a role model to look up to. I feel really grateful to be able to make and release music and hopefully I can inspire someone to do the same. 

CLIQUE: The title track on your EP is a powerful moment for you as you set boundaries and learn to navigate your own needs above others. What did it feel like for you to finally have this moment?

NEDA: It took a while to reach this moment. I definitely used to doubt myself a lot, especially when I was a teenager. It was actually a friend of mine who recommended me to research the writer and artist ‘Florence Given’. Her artwork really helped me realize my worth, surround myself with people who celebrated me and prioritize my mental health. When I reached this moment I felt like I was entering a new chapter in my life, a chapter where I realized my potential and didn’t want to waste it. 

Photo Credit: Joseph Clarke

CLIQUE: What did the process of making this EP look like for you?

NEDA: I wrote all these songs myself nearly two years ago. The process in which I write songs is usually kept the same. I start with finding a chord progression that I’m fond of on the piano. Then I improvise a melody that usually falls in verse, pre-chorus, chorus form and through doing that lyrics naturally form. Coming up with different arrangements was quite a collaborative process. I usually perform my songs to my band after I have written them and they add different grooves, melodic motifs and riffs which helps bring the music to life. I also want to give a shout to Harri Chambers, the producer I recorded this EP with. He always made me feel comfortable to share my ideas and let me record take after take until I was happy. 

CLIQUE: Are there any artists that you would love to collaborate with in the future?

NEDA: There are so many artists I would love to collaborate with! I absolutely love Clairo, I think she’s a really clever songwriter and her melodies are really original and unpredictable. I love Joesef as well, I think his voice is to die for and I would love to write a song with him one day. 

“If you've listened to a song you’ve just written and absolutely love it, then it must be good - be confident about your art and put it out into the world.” 

CLIQUE: What is a piece of advice every artist should hear in your opinion?

NEDA: Trust your own ears. Don’t worry about what other people will think of your music. If you've listened to a song you’ve just written and absolutely love it, then it must be good - be confident about your art and put it out into the world. 

CLIQUE: Do you have anything happening in the future that you would like to share with everyone?

NEDA: I’m currently working on my next project which I’m really excited about! Now that I’ve released my first EP, I’m eager to continue recording and releasing music - feel free to follow me on instagram (nedaxkhalili) if you want to hear more of my songs very soon!

Listen to Neda’s “To Be Loved By You” on Spotify here