Mars has evolved beyond just a terraformed colony and become a thriving civilization with its own industries, culturally specific food, and music. The music, however, for some just can’t touch the soul anymore because it was created without one. AI is the number one method for music creation as most popular songs are written by sentient computers. Carole is a musician who has bounced from job to job to make ends meet. Tuesday is a sheltered girl with a yearning to express herself to the world. The unlikely friends find harmony together as each girl finds an almost spiritual connection with the other. With Carole playing the keyboard, Tuesday playing the guitar, and their collaborative songwriting they will take back the artist space from the cold algorithms and breathe new life back into the transformative art of music.
The beautiful singing voice of Carole is contemporary artist and songwriter Nai Br.XX. She was raised in Queens, New York and attended Georgia State where she met a producer who put her on the road to sharing her music with the world. The Neo-Soul style of her vocals have reminded some of a deep moving river that can wrap up the listener and carry them along on a musical journey. We are so very lucky to have the chance to interview Nai Br.XX about her work, her career in music and her role as the singing voice of Carole.
Bee-kun
Nai Br.XX
Honey-chan
Honey’s Anime Interview with Nai Br.XX Singing Voice of Carole of Carole & Tuesday!
Carole! I truly love you and your work! Such a blessed individual!❤
I would love to hear her sing live someday. It would be an eye-opening experience.
Her soulful and sultry voice would surely put me in a trance.
Let's jump into the interview shall we?
Let's go!
Honey’s Anime Interview with Nai Br.XX
We have seen write-ups describing your music as urban, experimental, or freeform. How would you describe your musical style? What are the biggest influences on your musical style?
I’d like to think of my music as alt R&B, but I think the descriptions you listed kind of all fall underneath that category. My music has very flowy vocals mixed with heavy hitting beats. My biggest influences are Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, and Aaliyah.
What inspires you as a singer-songwriter? Are you the kind of writer that is trying to get a hit or is trying to convey your feelings or a message in your music more important?
There are many things that inspire me as songwriter. A lot of it goes off of feeling; I may not write about my exact situation, but I’ll write about what it feels like to be happy or sad. I think I’m trying to do a little bit of both making music that can potentially be hit and convey my feelings. I to make a lot of music, but the songs I choose to release I like to have both qualities.
Did you have an artist that you try to emulate one that you aspire to be like? Or are you of the “I’m just gonna be me” philosophy?
A little bit of both. I like to learn from artist like Aaliyah and Stevie Wonder, but I also try to find my own sound in between. Just like there can only be one Aaliyah or Stevie Wonder there can only be one of me so I strive to define that in my sound the best I can.
When you decided to make music your profession what expectations did you have about the journey? Did you have a realist attitude or adopt the dreamer attitude of a lot of artists?
I think I started off a little too presumptuous. I didn’t really think that it would be as difficult as it actually has been. Although I do have an optimistic view point of my career as an artist I’m learning to roll with the punches and keep pushing.
Who are your favorite artists on your current playlist?
I’ve been listening to a lot of older music like Janet Jackson and SWV.
You currently are the singing voice for Carole in the anime Carole & Tuesday. Did you seek that role out or were you approached?
Thanks to Sweet Soul Records a video of me performing acoustically was part of my audition.
Did you ever think you would be working in the anime industry?
It never really crossed my mind, but I’m glad to have been chosen and be a part of it.
What did you feel when you first heard your music and your voice come out of the animated girl Carole?
I thought it was so cool! It felt like everything came full circle. Learning the songs, to recording them, then acting them out, all to finally see myself in the character was amazing.
Is there any part of the Carole & Tuesday story that you identify with?
The storyline of wanting to make music is what really resonated with be because I’m an artist myself. So it’s almost like watching a bit of my story, all the ups and the downs and crazy adventures!
What do you think of your alter ego? Can you identify with her?
I wouldn’t say she’s my alter ego, ‘cause I don’t feel like Carole is too different from me. But yes, I can identify with her in a couple of ways.
The story seems to center around the theme that music “manufactured” to reach certain audiences is disingenuous and that there is something far purer and more honest when it comes from true singer-songwriters. Is that a belief you share?
Music is meant to be felt and shared. I think the intention behind it matters, ‘cause there might be a song that someone wrote and another artist really identifies with it and wants to share it with the world.
What was it like the first time you played with Celeina Ann?
It was pretty cool, I was very surprised we meshed so well.
Your sound is different from Celeina Ann’s How do you find a way to make them complementary?
I can’t be the one to take the credit for our voices meshing so well, I myself was surprised that both our voices worked so well because they’re both are so different.
Were you an anime fan before this role? If so, what was an anime you enjoyed or inspired you?
I didn’t watch too much anime beforehand. When I was growing up I watched Dragon Ball Z and Pokemon with my brothers.
Have you seen the anime? Is it just us or does Mars look like Brooklyn? We know you live in Queens so is that a problem for you?
When I was younger I lived in Queens and I went to Brooklyn from time to time, but a lot has changed since then. So, it doesn’t really look like the Brooklyn I knew when I lived there.
Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to talk about?
I’m working on a new project right now! Looking to release a single in the beginning of August!
Final Thoughts
Honey-chan and the rest of us at Honey’s Anime thank you for your time to answer our questions. Carole & Tuesday has been one of the brightest spots in the anime season. The wholesome story of these two girls pursuing their dreams has been a breath of fresh air. We look forward to seeing what else is in store for this duo of musicians sharing their hopes and wishes to change the world with their song. We love that Nai Br.XX took the time to share her story with us and we look forward to hearing from her in the future.
Author: Zeke Changuris
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