Life & Work with Nina Storey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Storey.

Hi Nina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began singing professionally pretty young, around the age of 12 years old by singing on sessions my mom was writing on, as she is a songwriter. I initially started in R&B and began writing as well. Also, I learned an appreciation for the blues early on, which informed how I would go on to interpret music. The most powerful thing it taught me was how it can be a beautiful and transformative means of self-expression.

I was heavily inspired by artists like Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Whitney Houston, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Beatles. And was very much drawn to both amazing vocalists and also great songwriting.

I signed my first development deal at 15 with MCA and continued to develop my sound into college where I began touring and releasing full albums. I initially had a band that had more of a funky jam band vibe but eventually went solo to develop my sound further incorporating more of a pop sound.

Since then, I have toured internationally, released eight albums, made music for TV, Film, and commercials, and had one of my songs which I wrote for the NBC show, “Days Of Our Lives” up for Emmy consideration.

In 2020, I got very sick with covid and for a time, didn’t think I was going to make it. But thankfully, I have had a slow but steady journey to recovery. I am still dealing with long covid and all the crummy things that go with it but am incredibly grateful to be making music and begin touring again.

I’ve just released a new single, “When The Lights Go Out” which I co-wrote and produced with Dan Lavery, who is an amazing musician and producer from the Grammy-winning band Tonic.

This new single has more of a raucous, indie-rock vibe and hits pretty hard, which makes me super happy. I hope when people hear it, they find themselves jumping around, dancing with reckless abandon.

I start my summer touring this coming week with shows in Colorado and then will be touring up and down California and then off to the East Coast. Yay!

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?
I think I’ve hit all the obstacles. Like, literally all of them. My life’s windshield is covered in bugs, injuries, bad deals, touring disasters, stolen gear, health challenges of epic proportions, and once I was even told I was legit cursed. Ha! So yeah, there have been a few bumps. But I am incredibly grateful for the here and now and count my blessings daily.

I am still being extra careful and masking indoors because I am immunocompromised from the long covid, so when I do indoor shows, I’m asking my fans to mask for my health and safety. But I’m also doing mostly outdoor shows this summer as well, which is very helpful.

So you know, all in all, I’m rolling with the new normal but I’ve definitely learned how to take a punch.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, I would say I am most proud of my ability to adapt and grow as an artist. When I first started making music, I thought it was only one thing I would be doing. But time and experience have taught me how to write, sing, and produce in many different genres and I’m really proud because I believe it has brought a depth to my work that I never really conceived of.

I would say I am well known as being a soulful singer. But I also really love serving a song and an emotion. Each song is this little universe of expression and story and I always try to serve both the song, but also the moment. So each time I sing it live for an audience, it’s a wholly unique experience that we share.

It is also my goal for people to walk away from one of my live performances with more joy than they came with. I hope that what I do resonates in a way that leaves you feeling happier and possibly even inspired.

I’m also really proud to be developing my skills as a comedy writer and have been developing a comedy pilot based on my life. I mostly enjoy laughing at myself, and being able to translate it into stories that are now resonating with others also makes me very proud. You can read comedic stories at strangelyoptimistic.com.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
For sure, I have to give credit to my family as they have been remarkably supportive. My mom and dad have always been there to not only encourage me but I’ve been blessed to write with my mom, who is an incredible songwriter, and do live shows with my dad, who is an amazing sound engineer. They have worked tirelessly for many years in so many ways, and I am profoundly grateful for all they have done and still do for me.

My extended family has also been remarkable in every way, plus I’ve got a handful of dear friends who have also been there helping me. All of them have helped me innumerable times schlep gear at shows, sell my merch, and spread the word about me, even when I didn’t think a soul would show up.

And lastly, my new label, Persevere Entertainment, which is headed up by Charlie Jones, has been incredible. I signed with them in mid-2020, when I didn’t know if I was going to even see the end of the year because I was so sick. And yet, Charlie reached out and said he wanted to work with me. I jokingly responded, “Are you sure you want to bet on this horse?” But he sure did. And they have been an incredible support, releasing singles and music videos the past few years and now we are embarking on the next stage of our adventure, which I am very excited will be an amazing one.

And of course, my fans and supporters who have been listening to my music. I have some really amazing die-hard fans and I’m so grateful that my music resonates with them in a way that has them coming back and sharing my music with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: ninastorey.com (This site is secure despite the weird warning. We are working on getting it fixed)
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ninastorey
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/ninastoreymusic
• Linkedin: https://strangelyoptimistic.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ninastorey
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/ninastorey
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@tellmeaninastorey

Image Credits
Photos by Brig Van Osten and Anthony Camera