Hailing from Los Angeles via Afro-Dominican roots, Michelle Núñez is not your average artist. Best described as a multi-disciplinary creative, Núñez excels in a variety of media, be it acting on the big screen, TV, or theatre, writing music, or simply expressing herself through poetry. Whichever way you look at it, it’s clear that Michelle is incredibly talented, as her latest single ‘california, home’ greatly showcases. Following up from her debut effort, ‘making the most of it’, the new record presents a more intimate, acoustically-driven ethos, a quality that allows us to really appreciate Núñez’s nuanced, emotive vocals.
The lyrical layer is urgent and meaningful, describing Michelle’s conflicting relationship with her Californian home. Away from her family, the young creative strives to find roots of her own, all while holding dear memories of her past and longing for loved ones. Certainly an introspective and nostalgic endevour, ‘california, home’ is a wonderful, vibrant piece, a song that will certainly help Núñez connect with like-minded listeners out there.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Michelle Núñez to find out more about the release and her overarching artistry… interview below!
Hi Michelle, thanks for chatting with us! You are a rather accomplished actor and all-around creative; what made you step into the music industry?
Glad to be here 🙂 Music was my first love. It’s the first way I remember expressing myself creatively and has always felt like the deepest way to share my heart.
Widening the question about your music: How would you define your brand from an aural perspective? What can we expect from it? Judging from your debut single ‘making the most of it’ and latest effort ‘california, home’, I’d say it’s all pretty wholesome and dreamy…
First, I love that you used the words ‘wholesome’ and ‘dreamy.’ I’m definitely taking that with me. <3 I’d define my brand as organic and evolving, and you can expect only my truth.
When (and where) did you first learn singing and songwriting? Is there any particular experience or influence that helped you gain the skills you have today?
I’ve been singing and writing songs since I was a little girl. I knew I wanted to record and release music, but I waited until it aligned with my spirit so it could come from a place of love, not fear. Life itself has been my biggest influence, along with picking up a guitar, googling chords, and strumming them while writing lyrics. I’m so grateful for my friend and producer Yoosuf Blake, who takes the simple four-chord structures I bring him and transforms them into something beautiful.
Let’s focus on your latest record, ‘california, home’. Nostalgic and bittersweet, the song explores the relationships between one’s roots and dreams. Did you write the piece from a personal perspective? Does it resonate with you?
I wrote it from a personal perspective. It’s about the pull between the new life I’ve created in California and the longing for the stability of my family and the home I used to know.
What was the creative process behind ‘california, home’? Are there any collaborators involved? Are you proud of how it turned out?
I’m super happy with how it turned out. Blake is my collaborator on the track, and he’s amazing. The process began with me strumming my guitar and evolved into a full studio piece that Yoosuf and I brought to life together.
‘california, home’ is way more intimate and reflective than ‘making the most of it’. Where will the next Michelle Núñez release move towards?
The next release is a bit chaotic. It leans into my pop punk roots, and the lyrics feel a little more raw and crunchy.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
Learning to live with the inner self-talk that constantly asks, “Am I good enough to be an artist and create something meaningful?”
What are the next steps for your project? Is it hard to coordinate all your different creative endeavours?
I’m focusing on writing and recording more music, releasing it, creating live studio acoustic versions, and hopefully performing live shows. 🙂
