Ness nite on Their New EP and Life Beyond the Streamers

I sat down with LA based artist Ness Nite to discuss their new EP and the creative ways they’re getting it out to the world.

Ness Nite is making waves online for the bold decision to exclusively list their new EP on their own platform, skipping all major streaming services. With so many artists and fans searching for a world beyond Spotify, I really wanted to pick their brain about their creative solution to the mainstream devaluation of music.

Ness Nite is a non-binary, multi-racial vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Their sound calls upon future-r&b beats, synthesizers, infectious hooks, and rap cadences, while their lyrics explore dynamics in relationships and self.

Hi Ness! I’m loving the sound of the EP - synth r&b, sung and rapped, bedroom meets nightclub.  Tell me about the project. What inspired it thematically or sonically?

Hi! Thanks so much! Sonically, all of my music (I have an EP from 2016 and an LP from 2018 out on majors) still stays within the same universe, the throughline is definitely there, but the songs on this EP are all upbeat, whether swoon-y, doomer-y, or naughty. I would say influenced by alt pop, hip hop, and a little bit of rock. As a ‘95 Zillenial I’m really into the 90s in every way right now, sonically, visually, technology-wise. 

What does the EP embody or signify about this moment in time for you as an artist? Does it capture the past or look to the future?

My EP is called “For What It’s Worth” because the entire release is supposed to be a statement against the corporate devaluation of music (the streaming industry). I chose the songs for the EP because I felt like they work well together sonically and all carry different energies, however this is the first time that I released a project where the songs themselves aren’t necessarily the focus of the project. The focus is what I’m doing behind the scenes, which is building a homebase, a playground, a clubhouse for myself, my art, and the people who support what I do and make! I decided to release the EP along with the site in order to set an example for what I’m trying to accomplish; build an infrastructure for my art that removes the false need for major streaming platforms. I’m doing this because music is worth more than what streaming services have decided it is - they've essentially decided that it's worth nothing and I strongly disagree. I'm doing this, for what it’s [truly] worth.

I’m doing this because music is worth more than what streaming services have decided it is - they've essentially decided that it's worth nothing and I strongly disagree. I'm doing this, for what it’s [truly] worth.

You’re making waves online for deciding to ONLY list the EP on your own website, skipping all major streaming platforms. Tell us what led to this decision!

I think we are all at this point sick of corporations literally running and ruining our entire lives, so this is what I felt that I could do to try and change things. I’m not necessarily doing anything new, I’m not the first artist with a website lol, but I’m iterating on top of what it means for an artist to have a website, I'm iterating on top of existing dynamics between artist and appreciator. I have plans for physical media that are inspired by previous ways but will also be in iteration on top of those. I just want to try things and see what works because how things currently work is not working for me. Or any of us really. 

I'm iterating on top of existing dynamics between artist and appreciator... I just want to try things and see what works because how things currently work is not working for me. Or any of us really. 

After years of Spotify taking advantage of artists, on top of some famously bad PR involving AI war drones, a lot of artists are feeling weird about the streamers. What do you hope to inspire in other artists (and music fans) with your bold decision to not release this project on streaming platforms? 

I hope other artists realize that we have more power than corporations want us to know. Try things. Find supporters one person at a time IRL if you have to. People want and need your art. There are more ways than rigged Spotify playlisting to access discoverability. 

What are your biggest takeaways so far? What have you learned from this experiment?

I’ve learned that people are definitely eager and looking for alternatives to Spotify and the current industry standards in general. My announcement video definitely showed me that. It also introduced me to a brand new audience of fellow musicians who are interested in what I'm doing, I would say more musicians than just listeners. Since the site has only been active for a week I’m still very much in a beta mode, making changes to the site daily based on feedback and participation, speed bumps etc. So I might have more to say about it in a month, but I'm happy with the direction that it's headed!

How does your queerness and gender expression inform/impact your music making and art creating? 

I think in addition to being non-binary, being multiracial has hugely influenced my music and art. Before I knew I was queer, I knew I was multiracial, I knew I existed on the outskirts of blackness, mexicanness, & whiteness. I was hyper aware that space always existed outside of social constructs so I think realizing I was queer and gender-fluid was just a natural progression of that. I think these influences are super clear in my music, I like to stay in somewhat of a pop lane but my songs can sometimes also be esoteric to a degree, experimental, left-leaning. I built my sound by seeing what's out there, by exploring, by knowing there’s always more to explore, always more things to be. 

What keeps you going through the ups and downs of independent artistry?

There is just literally nothing else I’d rather spend my life doing. I also am the most regulated when I'm being consistently creative so I make it a point to give myself time every day no matter what to be creative even if it's just in making myself a meal.  

What's the best advice you have for other self-releasing artists? 

Find ways to directly connect with the folks who support you. Stay true to your interests. Fuck major streaming services. Reach out to me if you have questions.

What’s next for Ness Nite?

Join nessnite.art to find out :) 

Check out the new EP and see Ness Nite's innovations beyond the streamers at nessnite.art 

Follow Ness Nite on instagram