Written by Sophie Wyatt
Flourishing London-based artist Nectar Woode has become the height of conversation within the UK music scene after the past few exciting years. The rising British‑Ghanaian soul singer‑songwriter with a warm, genre‑blending sound, has released several projects, sold out shows and not to mention appeared on everything from Jools Holland to the Glastonbury line-up over the past 24 months. Nectar is now getting ready for her slot at Cheltenham Jazz Festival on the 2nd May, straight off a string of sold‑out London shows and major festival appearances.
Raised in Milton Keynes and now based in London, she has won widespread acclaim for her deeply expressive voice and soulful songwriting, drawing praise from Elton John, BBC Radio 1 and 2, and major tastemakers alike. She explained to us that music has been ingrained in her for as long as she can remember. “I remember just listening to really loud music, because my dad had carnival speakers. It was fun to grow up with, because it felt like every day was a party with my parents. They just love music so much. My dad would play a lot of jazz music and my mum would play motown. And then they’d both play reggae together.”
With a sound that is clearly rooted in neo‑soul, jazz, gospel and R&B, Nectar has attracted hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners and led to collaborations with the likes of Jordan Rakei, while her EPs Nothing to Lose and Head Above Water have cemented her as one of the UK’s most exciting young artists. “I always wanted to do music in some capacity,” she went on to say. “But when I was younger, I was doing musical theatre. I think that really helped with confidence, and being on stage. But when I got to 16 I realised I wanted to learn guitar and go to open mics. So it just went from there.” After collaborating with several artists including good friend Mom Tudie, Nectar found that she loved expressing herself and her music alongside like minded peers. And this led to her creating an ever growing community of friends and musicians throughout London.
While her music is embedded heavily within the soul sound, Nectar told us that she wants people to see it for more than just the genre. She wants people to hear her music and feel warmth. “I want people to feel good when they listen to my music; like they’ve got a release from the everyday annoyingness of life. They can put on my music and feel cool, calm, and happy. Or have a dance to it. I just want them to have a release, because life gets heavy sometimes.” And songs of Nectar’s, such as fan favourite Good Vibrations do just this.
After performing a filmed concert at Village Underground last year, Nectar took us on a journey through how it came to be. She told us that live music is her favourite expression, mainly because of being able to connect in person with her listeners and fellow music lovers. This was exactly why she wanted to open up her Village Underground show to ticket holders as well as fans at home. “I wanted to bring everyone to the show. The whole thing was a blur for me because I was having so much fun, I couldn’t contain my excitement, I just kept jumping up and down,” she laughed. “It was really nice to see an audience there for my music. It made it feel so real.”
Nectar’s music and sunny energy has already propelled her so far into the UK music scene, helping her to achieve so much within such a short period of time. And if her unique sound and determination are anything to go by, this is just the beginning of her shining career.
You can now listen to Nectar Woode’s latest single ‘Naturally’ on all streaming platforms.
