Toronto-based musician Nilo Blues is on the up, ready to redefine the music game in the 21st century.. Debuting his new EP, Nilo Blues explores his personal identity while sharing a genre-fluid music experience. Flaunt caught up with the artist to hash it out. Enjoy!
**How did you start making music and how did you get into the industry? Any major inspirations?**
I started out in the entertainment industry as a kid. I grew up dancing and acting and I was fortunate to gain a taste of the business at a really young age. I feel like my experiences in different art forms shaped my sound way more than I fully realize even to this day. I was always surrounded by music, and every gratifying opportunity I've had in my life has rooted from art. I found my love for making music while on a set. My buddy had an iPhone app called iMaschine, I would cook beats on it for hours. When I first got Ableton, I would never go to set without it. I would pop my trailer door open and make music on my breaks/lunches. Dancing made me fall in love with the swagger, the finesse, and the effortlessness. It made me appreciate the intricacies of movement and subtlety, which impacted the way I viewed my own vocal performance. Acting allowed me to explore my emotions and tap into personas. It gave me a lot of perspective on emotion, passion and feeling. I grew up wanting to dance like James Brown, and he’s definitely a major influence on my own bounce through music. I also soak in a huge amount of inspiration from Bruce Lee. My goal in life is to flow on songs just as Bruce flowed with ease in LIFE.
**Does your upbringing as a Vietnamese-Chinese Canadian have any influence on the music you make, if so how?**
I feel like the biggest driving factor for me being Vietnamese-Chinese-Filipino Canadian in music is the amount of room we have to create our own narrative and pioneer a movement for our culture in the western vernacular. It’s given me a chip on my shoulder seeing how misrepresented people of color are, and the industry can feel very limiting. I grew up having no idols that looked like me to look up to except for cartoon characters and kung fu fighters. Growing up I used to have this preconceived notion that Asians weren’t cool enough to be on television or the “big screen.” I know this is something all people of color can relate to, and it’s also beautiful to see how we can inspire one another. Hip Hop/R&B has been pivotal in me becoming the person I am today, and seeing at a young age OGs like the WuTang Clan showing their appreciation for the culture was so fucking cool. I think the time for all of us to shine through our work and be individuals in this society is way overdue, and I’m really grateful I have the chance to give more kids that voice.
**What inspired the newest EP and how does it feel to finally be putting it out?**
That’s a big question. Honestly, the inspiration behind this EP is everything that has led me to this moment. This is my debut EP so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what caused me to write this work of music because it happened so organically and was such a raw process. I just feel like I have a lot to give in this game and don’t want to focus on the past of my music when I’m still in it. I just write what’s on my mind and be present for the moment. I really wanted to have fun on this EP and build the foundation of who Nilo Blues is. Who knows though, the album will probably have some cool concepts and ideas, but for now I’m just a student to the game and this is my natural instinct kicking in.
**How has your headspace been during a global pandemic? Has it affected making music at all?**
It’s been hella rocky but I’m feeling much better about it now. It’s been nice to reconnect with myself, let myself slip, and build myself back up. I spent a lot of time staying safe in my room and playing mad video games. I had a really hard time staying inspired and creating for the first half of quarantine, but now I feel back in the swing of things. I locked down my own private studio to work in so I’ve been cooking up a lot. I’m so grateful for it, it’s like my baby now.
**How would you describe your sound?**
Electricity. I recently had a tarot reading and my heart archetype was The Storm. I feel like that is an accurate embodiment of the shit I’m on.
**Where do you see yourself in 5 years in regards to your musical career? Any goals for the future?**
Definitely a lot of goals but no timelines. I want to stay as present as possible during this BEAUTIFUL journey that I feel is coming. But I want to buy my family a mansion before the 5 year mark for sure. My mom wants a Porsche Cayenne too, might fuck around and get matching whips for us.
**What is something about yourself that most people don’t know about?**
I lowkey want to become a ping pong prodigy. We recently got a table tennis table at the crib and all my cousins whoop my ass in it LOL but I SWEAR I’M ON THE COME UP. Hopefully I’ll be able to give my homies the smoke with ease in a few months.
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