Nicole Morier hit the spotlight by penning tracks for artists such as Britney Spears ("Heaven on Earth", "Mmm Papi" and "Rock Me In") and Tom Jones ("If He Should Ever Leave You", "Seen That Face"). She also collaborated with A-list musicians including Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Sophie Ellis Bextor), Kara DioGuardi (Natalie Imbruglia, Kylie Minogue) and Future Cut: Darren Lewis & Tunde Babalola (Nicole Scherzinger, Estelle Swaray).
In this exclusive interview with "Monica Mania", the singer/songwriter talks about her band "Electrocute", how the name came about, difference between writing for herself and other artists, the current war between Israel and Palestine, and so much more ….
Hamada: - How did you get into singing and songwriting?
Nicole: - My dad, Johnny Morier, was a singer/songwriter and I grew up with a lot of music. He played mostly folk and country, but in the 60's, he penned a few hits for bands like "Spanky and Our Gang", "The Youngbloods" and "Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs".
Hamada: - Whose idea was it to name your band Electrocute? And how did it come about?
Nicole: - I started the band originally with an Austrian girl and we both met in Berlin where I lived for a few years. She was looking up words in the English dictionary and thought that would make a great band name.
The word is not quite as sexy in German "Stromschlag" or something like that! Anyways, when I met her, she had the band name but not the band, so I came in with the music.
Hamada: - Are Electrocute coming out with a new album soon? If so, what can we expect from them this time around?
Nicole: We have a full length release coming up, but it will only be released in Japan right now on "On the One" Records. I'm sure we will release it in other territories to follow. 6 of the songs are available digitally worldwide on an EP called "On The Beat".
Hamada: - You've written songs for other artists as well. Was that easier or harder than helming songs for yourself, and why?
Nicole: - I can't really tell anymore. It's fun to do different types of songs. Sometimes when I get stuck on Electrocute, I can go work with someone like Tom Jones and that's a blast! Sometimes writing is torture for me, but I plow through because there's nothing better to me than coming up with pop goodies.
Hamada: - I've first got to know you through your contribution on Britney Spears' "Heaven on Earth". How beneficial was it to have your name listed as one of the contributors on a mainstream project like "Blackout"? And has your career changed drastically after that placement?
Nicole: - Oh, it was great for sure! It opened a lot of doors for me. Not as I thought at first, but now with the new album out and credits being mentioned, everything is really taking off. Britney's been like an angel for me!
Hamada: - Describe your working experience with the following musicians
Britney Spears:
Nicole: - Super awesome and adorable!
Cathy Dennis:
Nicole: - Stunningly beautiful and talented! One of my favorite writers and one of the reasons I wanted to write pop music.
Freescha:
Nicole: - Totally Rad!
Future Cut: Darren Lewis & Tunde Babalola:
Nicole: - Great music collection. Very nice guys!
Greg Kurstin:
Nicole: - A dear friend and one of the most genius musicians I've ever met! Another big inspiration for me.
Kara DioGuardi:
Nicole: - A strong amazing woman with a beautiful voice.
Nate "Danja" Hills:
Nicole: - A quiet guy with mad skills and the hottest engineer/writing partner I've ever seen!
Pixie Lott:
Nicole: - A superstar in the making!
Hamada: - Which other songwriters/producers/artists you'd like to work with if given the opportunity?
Nicole: - Dolly Parton, The Cramps, The B52's, Livvi Franc, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, Robyn ... So much more!
Hamada: - What are some of your forthcoming projects?
Nicole: So much, I don't even know where to start!
Hamada: - Tell us something that most readers will be surprised to learn about you.
Nicole: - I grew up on an Indian reservation in Tesuque – New Mexico.
Hamada: - What's the most important lesson you've ever learnt?
Nicole: - Without obsession, life is nothing.
Hamada: - If you weren't a singer/songwriter, which other career you'd have chosen as an alternative?
Nicole: - Hot dog on a stick?
Hamada: - List the qualities that you usually look for in a lover, and what turns you off?
Nicole: I look for passion and laughter. Jealousy turns me off!
Hamada: - Have you thought about promoting your music in the Middle East?
Nicole: Yeah, I actually played some shows a couple years ago in Tel Aviv and we made an extra show in Ramallah to play at a youth center for Palestinian children. I totally fell in love with that part of the world.
I am so saddened by what's happening over there right now … It's a crime against humanity … All the needless death and all these civilians trapped and getting basted and bombed.
Not to get on our interview, but this is so upsetting to me. I don't know how much this affects you in the UAE, but here in the US, people for the most part are blindly ignorant and very much in full support of Israel no matter what they do.
Don't get me wrong, I love Israel too and have many friends there, but I'm against what their government is doing as much as I was against the U.S. going to war in Iraq. I just don't see how this is resolving anything . You can't very well get along with someone if they bomb your children, right? Anyway, it goes full circle – Endless violence.
But I very much hope to get back there one day and play more music and also travel around to other countries. Maybe you can book an Electrocute Middle East Tour?
Hamada: - Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Nicole: The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades (haha). I have no idea! 10 years before, I never could have guessed that I'd be doing what I am doing right now, so I won't even try. I take it as it comes.
Hamada: - Any message you'd like to give to all aspiring singer/songwriters?
Nicole: - Not really! Thank you very much.
[Visit] Nicole Morier @ MySpace
