Nina Nastasia, an artist of Calabrian-Italian and Irish descent, was born and raised in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Despite studying piano and showing an early talent for writing short stories as a child, she initially had no aspirations of pursuing a career in music.
In 1993, Nina began writing songs, which eventually led to the release of her debut album, “Dogs,” in 2000. Initially, only 1,500 copies of the album were pressed, with Nina assembling the album packaging herself in her apartment. She sold the albums at her shows and quickly sold out of all copies. The album gained attention when renowned DJ John Peel received a copy from Steve Albini and praised it on his BBC Radio 1 show, earning Nina a dedicated following.
Throughout her career, Nina has released seven albums, including collaborations with Jim White. Her albums “The Blackened Air” (2002) and “Run to Ruin” (2003) were released on the indie label Touch and Go Records, which also re-released “Dogs” in 2004. In 2006, her album “On Leaving” was released on Fat Cat Records, followed by the collaborative album “You Follow Me” with Jim White in 2007 and “Outlaster” in 2010.
After a period of relative obscurity, Nina returned n 2022, signing a record deal with Temporary Residence Limited, leading to the digital reissues of “On Leaving,” “You Follow Me,” and “Outlaster.” She also served as the opening act for Mogwai on their US tour. Her seventh studio album, “Riderless Horse,” recorded in upstate New York by Steve Albini and Greg Norman, was released in July 2022.
Nina Nastasia’s music continues to captivate audiences with its introspective and heartfelt nature. Her unique voice, poetic lyrics, and collaborations with talented musicians have solidified her status as a respected and influential artist in the alternative folk genre.
