Nicola Høie - Painkiller

Nicola Høie - Painkiller

INTERVIEW

Nicola opens up about the story behind her latest release, Painkiller, and what she is looking forward to next.

Hi Nicola, can you take us behind the inspiration for Painkiller?

Painkiller is about unreciprocated feelings. It’s about wanting to be everything for someone and realizing you’re not what they need. And slowly understanding that no matter how much you give, it doesn’t change how they feel.

And now tell us about the day you wrote Painkiller? How did the song come about?

I came into the studio with a really clear idea of what I wanted to write about. Once we started, it all came together pretty naturally. It felt more like I was putting words to something I’d already been sitting with for a while.

Did you have an ah-ha moment when writing where it all clicked?

It wasn’t a big moment, more like a quiet shift. Once I understood what I was trying to say, everything aligned around it.

When it comes to the production - what did that look like?

The production was really about keeping things restrained. I worked with my producer Paul in the studio, and a lot of it was about taking things away rather than adding more.

Some elements changed from the demo, but stripping it back gave the vocal more space. It ended up feeling more exposed, which felt closer to the emotion of the song.

Now can you tell us how your background has inspired your music and artistry?

My background shows up more in how I process things than anything specific. I tend to internalise a lot, and that naturally turns into songwriting.

There’s a certain distance in it - I think I’m more comfortable expressing things in music than I am in real life.

What artists inspire you?

Artists like Billie Eilish, Adele and Pink really inspire me.

Their music is very raw and honest, and it connects with people on a deeper level, which I think is really powerful.

I also listen to a lot of Prince, ABBA, Michael Jackson and Madonna who have all played a big part in shaping my love for music!!

How has your music evolved over the years?
When I started out, I wasn’t completely sure what my sound was or what felt right for me. With time and experience, I’ve really found my identity as an artist and the direction I want to go in.

What aspect of your music are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of Painkiller, and also of the music I have coming next. It feels like everything is starting to reflect who I am more clearly as an artist.

How does #1 Problem fit into your future plans?
I think this release feels like the start of a clearer direction for me. It reflects where I am right now.

Going forward, I want to keep building on that and stay in that space, without overthinking it too much.

Are there any big goals for the year ahead?
I just want to keep building and putting out music that feels true to me.

Of course I’d love to reach more people and perform live, but for me it’s really about growing and seeing how far I can take it.