Diving into "Summer Breeze": Nina Bauer Shares Her Journey

“If I can then take these songs and the emotions tied to them and share them with people who can connect with them in any way, if I can make them feel something, I think that is the best thing that can happen to you as an artist.” These words sum up the spirit of the gifted German singer-songwriter, Nina Bauer. Her debut EP, “Summer Breeze,” is set to be released on the 22nd of September. However, the first two singles “Meant To Be” and “Another Song” have been released as a first taste of what’s to come on the EP. Nina paints a vivid picture of what listeners can anticipate: nostalgia tinged with warmth and a rawness that speaks directly to the heart.

The album promises an undeniable sentimental allure. Capturing the essence of a breeze on a summer day, sometimes light and drifting, sometimes a bit heavier. As Nina mentions, “In a world that sometimes feels quite scary and overwhelming, I think art and music are important collective safe spaces we can create.” And indeed, Nina’s music wraps you up and takes you to a world of its own. It evokes the feeling of those endless summer afternoons that stretch on — serene yet charged with a palpable energy, while the genuine talent behind her music shines through in every single note.

In our interview, we delve deeper into the story behind her upcoming debut EP, explore the inspirations that influence her songwriting, and discuss her desire to create music without putting undue pressure on herself.

photography by Nina Bauer

Congratulations on the release of your second single from your upcoming debut EP. Why did you decide to release this particular songs first? Do they hold special meaning for you?

Thank you, Christine! Both of them are definitely very close to me. When I was deciding on which songs from the EP I wanted to release first. I really just trusted my intuition. Both songs come from different points in my life, portraying different thoughts and emotions in my early 20s, also through their sound, I think.

I wrote ‘Another Song’ during the pandemic when I had spent a lot of time by myself, reflecting on my thoughts and feelings about my view on life and loss, as well as my own sense of identity at that point.

‘Meant To Be’ stems from a time when I struggled emotionally, shortly after my first long-term relationship ended. I had to realize that change is inevitable, even if it sometimes scares me and that the connections we have with people are fluid.

In “Meant To Be”, you explore the deep emotions tied to letting go of a long-term relationship. Was writing this song a therapeutic or healing experience for you?

Connecting my emotions to music has always helped me understanding myself and my surroundings in a better way. At the time I was writing the song, I had a few chords in mind and was mostly putting my thoughts down on paper without questioning it too much. Looking back, I think that by framing my feelings through the song, it definitely helped me a bit to eventually let them go and as I grew up, I felt that change can also be a beautiful thing, opening new doors.

“Connecting my emotions to music has always helped me understand myself and my surroundings in a better way.”

Your lyrics touch on personal emotions and also wider societal issues, as noted in your song lyrics, ‘Have you watched the news? ‘Cause I’d rather not…’ in ‘Another Song’. I feel personally connected to this, as I myself unfortunately view the news negatively, and sometimes I feel a bit of despair regarding humanity, which seems, in my eyes, to be regressing. How do you balance the personal and political in your songwriting?

In my songwriting I mainly just express how I feel or the emotions I explore within the human connections I experience in my life. And I think our emotions are in a way connected to what is happening around us and in the world, as well as the issues we face as a society, even if it is just on a subconscious level. In a world that sometimes feels quite scary and overwhelming I think art and music are important collective safe spaces we can create. And in those safe spaces we can come together and connect with ourselves, feel seen and relate with people because we might feel less alone with what we feel.

In your lyrics, you also express that you don’t need to be a star and want to feel like home to yourself. Can you explain on what success means to you as an independent artist?

Artistically speaking, I feel successful when I am able to take what is on my mind and find a way to put it in a song, to find a positive outlet. If I can then take these songs and the emotions tied to them and share them with people who can connect with them in any way, if I can make them feel something, I think that is the best thing that can happen to you as an artist. I don’t really feel like forcing or pushing for any form of success in a commercial way. I want to keep music as something enjoyable, keep playing the kind of songs I want to write, without putting pressure on myself.

“I think in many moments I can still see my childhood self in my current self.”

The name of your upcoming EP is “Summer Breeze”. Love it! Is there a special story behind this title?

To be honest, my mum suggested the title! When I first sent her the recordings to listen to, she said that it would be the kind of record to listen to on a warm summer’s day, lying in a hammock, letting time pass by. I liked the thought. There is also a song on the EP titled “Summer Breeze” and to me it radiates the warmth, tenderness, and secureness which I hope people feel when listening to my music.

I noticed that you are sharing your childhood photos on Instagram, which, in my opinion, is a sweet and intimate gesture. How do you feel about sharing these images and connecting them to your musical story?

I think I started sharing those photos quite randomly because some of them are funny or cute to look at. They also bring back some memories to me and I think in many moments I can still see my childhood self in my current self.

” I want to keep an open mind and try new things without being too afraid of vulnerability or failure.”

Do you have a favorite childhood memory that still makes you smile today?

I still remember my initial attempts to learn how to play the old piano my mum brought home. I was five and I couldn’t play just one key at the time, my fingers wouldn’t move independently from each other, so I just pressed all fingers at once on the keys and it took a while for me to be able to coordinate them separately.

Where do you envision yourself in the next five years?

It’s hard for me to plan that far into the future. At least for now – I think there’s still a lot I need to figure out in my twenties, there is no clear vision I have in mind. At least I hope that I never lose my enthusiasm for music and continue to write songs that touch me and maybe a few other people as well. I want to continue to use the opportunities that open up to me to grow artistically and personally. I want to keep an open mind and try new things without being too afraid of vulnerability or failure.

Thank you so much for your time!

Thanks a lot for your interest and questions!