In many cases finding your stride can take time. Especially the case for those with artistic inclinations, Softee is the culmination of life experience. The pseudonym of Nina Grollman, a talented singer-songwriter and actor, as Softee she created music that is a nice blend of Alternative Pop that distinguishes her from the pack.
Releasing her debut album Keep on in 2020, in 2023 she returns with the mature, gender-bending follow up, Natural. Released on May 12th, the album truly lives up to its name as a very organic progression for Softee both as a songwriter and a person. Excited to release the new music, the rising Pop artist took time to talk about Natural, her growth, her love for acting, plus more.
Cryptic Rock – Music has clearly been an intricate part of your life for a long time. Originally from the Midwest, you have resided in Brooklyn, NY for the last decade. So, before we go any further, how would you describe the road you have traveled to get to this point in your journey?
Softee – I think taking my music from a passionate hobby to a career has been a crazy switch. Minnesota was a safe space to cultivate my musicianship. My community was very supportive. I played a lot of small gigs with friends around town and learned how to write songs. Once I got to New York, I was very intimidated by all the professional musicians around me. During school in NYC, I never dared to think I could be serious about music.
I did eventually take the leap though, under a pseudonym, which was my saving grace. It allowed me to express myself without all the pressure of “being myself.” Ever since, I’ve gained more and more confidence in my voice and expression. Nowadays the most important thing is to keep my passion alive, and never treat music like a product.
Cryptic Rock – It is interesting to hear how it developed for you and how you have found your comfort zone as a creative artist. You released your debut album, Keep On, back in 2020. That album was mostly all produced and engineered by yourself alone. Would you say that was a good learning experience for you as an artist?
Softee – To clarify, there are a few tracks not solely produced and mixed by me, namely “Rebecca,” “Crush,” (co-produced by me and Sweetbbyj, mixed by Sweetbbyj) and “Keep On”(mixed by Brendan Lank). These people made a huge difference to the album and they also taught me so much about mixing.
The rest was produced and mixed by me, and it was definitely a huge challenge. It no doubt pushed me to be a better artist. I don’t think I’ll ever mix my own songs again, because it takes the fire out of the music for me, having to listen to it over and over in excruciatingly meticulous detail. It did, however, make me a much better listener. The pandemic was a chance to slow down and do whatever interested me, which I mourn now. I had the opportunity to learn a new skill, which was so valuable.
Cryptic Rock – It seems like it offered you ample experience. Following up that debut, you now return with your exciting sophomore effort, Natural. This album seems to be full of a lot of emotion and has a mix of different vibes throughout. What was the writing and recording process like for this new record?
Softee – This process was very different from my insular process of Keep On. It was extremely collaborative, and I had a chance to work with one of my best friends, Jeremy Chinn aka Sweetbbyj. We co-produced the whole thing in-person to start to finish, and he mixed it. It was done in a studio in Berlin, but normally we pass tracks back and forth online and work separately.
Being together in the studio, I got to focus on the things that bring me the most joy in a creative process: synths, chords, melodies, lyrics, and textures. Jeremy “drove” most of the time; he was the one in ProTools doing all the technical work, and focusing on drums. We have a particular workflow that we understand very well and we know to stay out of each other’s lanes. That trust is special and created a unique project. I learned how to let go of self-consciousness in front of someone else and just let myself flow.
Cryptic Rock – It worked quite well, because it offers a very varied mood throughout. There are your more upbeat Pop tunes, but also those more mellow such as “Floor” and “Grief.” Was it important for you to strike a balance in the atmosphere with this album?
Softee – I think it was genuinely what I was going through. I was writing a raw album based on events in my life in 2021. Some of those more mellow, melancholy songs are because I was going through some shit at the time that I needed to work out via songwriting. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about the flow of the album when I was writing them, but looking back it does round it out nicely.
Cryptic Rock – Well, sometimes the best way to create is in a non-linear way that just lets the emotions follow. Speaking of atmosphere, you released a pretty vivid music video for “Come Home.” A highly suggestive track, the music video is a mix between sensuality and a Horror movie. What was the inspiration behind the music video’s direction?
Softee – I have to give credit to my fiancé, Machel Ross, who directed the video. I would never have come up with the Horror vibe on my own, but when she pitched it, it made perfect sense somehow. She always envisioned God Complex being in it, and being a fan myself, I highly supported the idea. Then eventually the concept morphed into this horny demonic summoning. After seeing a lot of God Complex drag, this direction made the most sense.
I’m so happy we did it this way, because even though it’s not necessarily what you’d think of if you just read the lyrics, the video fits the vibe of the song so well.
Cryptic Rock – It does fit very well. You are actually also an actor as well. So, is acting something you would like to pursue more? Furthermore, how do you see your theatrical side seeping into your music?
Softee – It’s something I would love to balance with my music career! I love acting, I went to school for it, and it’s a huge part of my life. I want to make people laugh and do funny stuff. Please cast me in your funny stuff.
My theatrical side naturally seeps into my music; I love writing from the POV of a character. I think my first EP Slow Melt, had more of that vibe. I think I will bring back more of that style of songwriting in upcoming projects. Natural is a bit rawer and not so character-driven, but I love world-building and the theatricality that comes with that.
Cryptic Rock – Cool! Hopefully we can see you pursue acting more in the future too. Coming from a theatrical background, your sound is pretty diverse. You can hear a plethora of influences within your songs. That said, what are some of your biggest influences?
Softee – They would include Kate Bush, Robyn, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Janelle Monáe, Gotye, and Kimbra.
Cryptic Rock – Those are some great influences; some more mainstream than others, but all unique. Last question. If you are a fan of Horror and Sci-Fi movies, what are some of your favorites and why?
Softee – Only as an adult have I started getting into Horror – to be honest as a kid it scared me way too much. I think now I can see behind the curtain enough where I’m not as freaked out, and I can enjoy the art of the movie a bit more. My favorites are Get Out (2017), Titane (2021), and Black Bear (2020). As far as Sci-fi goes, I’m more of a fantasy gal, but I do love the old Star Wars.
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