Life & Work with Courtney Nord of Santa Clarita

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Nord

Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
During the pandemic I decided to turn back to music as catharsis and expression. I was taking care of my weakening grandmother, my son, and trying to balance my new life after leaving the South Bay. There was a lot of change happening to me and music helped me find solace in my identity at a time where I thought I was losing it. I began to look for collaborators to help me make a professional product- broadcast quality song. I found a collaborator, Jessy Covets, in the LA area who helped me learn Ableton, a music production software. From there We created a small EP worth of songs that had raving reviews and great potential in the industry. I spent a few years learning about music licensing, continuing to write and learn, and easing my way into the music industry where I would find my first signing in 2022. It took me 2 years to find any kind of success and my persistence has been a keystone of my brand and how I run by small business. I believe in the value of consistency and always striving for a better product, in music this means innovation and authenticity. I have since started my own publishing entity as an independent label where I work with a small roster of artists in the Sync licensing space, working in the music sphere of film, tv, ads, and games. In the space of sync my artist project and company have now partnered non-exclusively with over 10 catalogs and agencies. I never saw myself as a business owner but to successfully monetize music one must think of it as a business. These passions in sync licensing also led me back to school where I am currently a pre-law student at California State University of Northridge working my way up to becoming a music/ entertainment attorney.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some struggles along the way were being a single mom, working through the welfare system, having to take care of family members all while working in music and continuing my education. When starting school again I did not think I had the time or the ability to still work on my business. I realized it is a passion and when something is pulling you so strong it will find time in your life. I have only signed more deals and caught more licenses for my music since being in school. It feels like a soft transition, and I hope to one day offer legal services with my business. I think the biggest struggle is self-doubt, I didn’t think anyone would sign my music till they did, I didn’t think anyone would listen till I got my first 100,000 streams, I didn’t think I would make money till I saw a consistent income that is slowly growing.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My brand as an artist/ music indie label focuses on what brought me to the music space. Hope, identity, self-acceptance, and overcoming the obstacles that one faces- especially as it pertains to mental health. I used music as a landing pad from depression and anxiety. It has given me a sense of who I am and more importantly who I can become. The validation, catharsis, and community music has given me helps me realize that even when all seems grime passion and love will always be the guiding star. Even sad art is beautiful, I make very emotional music with lyrics I am so particular about for a reason. I am a writer first and an artist second. I have to feel in the flow of something I am going through to write the best songs. I love turning the worst parts and the most depressing parts of life’s experiences into hope and igniting that flame. I hope with my music that my audience feels a bit better, a bit more hopeful, and a bit like the world is made of magic- anything is possible!

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I was born and raised in the South Bay which was so lovely and beautiful. I loved being surrounded by diversity in culture. The food is amazing I can get inspired by a good meal and a good conversation. I love most about the “LA area” and the valley is our culture of people. We are welcoming, relaxed and give off the vibes of secret millionaires. Something brought us all to this city or to stay here if we were born and raised here. There is so much opportunity, so many good vibes, so much good food. I love what “LA” represents and am so proud to say that I am from here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://courtneynord.rocks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daughterovthewater
• Twitter: https://x.com/courtney_nord
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCysUP1vVwdgEWjtnJ7NTqVQ
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6oVgQ31kF4K4MmvTW37OtX?si=07dTEyMASPKkU3pkK2le3g

Image Credits
– I am also a photographer these photo’s are done by me Courtney Nord