I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the multitalented Hamilton-based singer Natassja, who released her first official music video last month for her latest song. We spoke about all things music, 2024, and ‘Missing Socks’.  

 

Who is Natassja? 

Kia Ora! As you know, my name’s Natassja. I’m an indie pop singer-songwriter based in Kirikiriroa. I was born in the Philippines but moved to Aotearoa when I was younger. I am currently studying for a Bachelor of Business at the University of Waikato, and I also work part-time at a climbing gym and teach barbershop singing at my old high school! 

As for my music, I absolutely love making it. Sitting down and writing has always been something I did to collect my thoughts growing up. Getting to share that with people is just such an unmatched experience. 

 

How’s 2024 been and what’s instore for the future? 
2024 has been SUCH a busy year for me! I started the year off releasing ‘Overdue’ with my good friend Harry in March. I then released ‘Missing Socks’ in June along with a music video. Amongst all the chaos of releasing those two singles, I’ve been busy writing and recording some gorgeous tracks. 

I’m working towards an EP that has a hopeful release for the end of the year, with songs that are over two years old. I am so incredibly excited for this EP; I got to record it with my talented friend, Noah Page, at Depot Sound Studio. 

Along with this, I’m also working on another project under NZ On Air’s Development Fund… but that’s under a hush hush right now hehe. 

 

Not only is the song ‘Missing Socks’ great, but you created a music video! Can you tell me about that? 

The music video for ‘Missing Socks’ was a project that has been talked about for quite a long time. Natasha Dall – the Director of Photography for the project – has been a friend of mine since high school and we’ve talked about making a music video together since then!  

My favourite part of filming was just the fact that I got to do it with friends, and that we were achieving a dream that we’ve had since we were teenagers. It was such a fun process and I’m super excited for what collaborations will come up in the future! 

 

So, what is ‘Missing Socks’ really about?  

‘Missing Socks’ was written about a year ago now, which is quite recent in comparison to the rest of my discography. I wrote it with fresh feelings from a breakup but with the mindset that I would be able to heal from this in the future. It’s a super personal song, but I really enjoy hearing about how other people interpreted it too! It’s all part of the experience of sharing our own stories, right? 

 

What’s been the highlight of your career?

Honestly, I’d say it was releasing the music video for ‘Missing Socks’. Since the project was initially talked about when I was still sixteen, it’s such a fever dream being able to say I have a music video out now. It definitely is weird seeing myself lip sync to a song I wrote a year ago, but it is so surreal and so rewarding seeing how people have reacted to it! 

  

Lastly, is there anyone who’s helped your journey? 

I have so many people to thank for getting me to where I am now. My family who has been my biggest supporters since I picked up an instrument. My amazing friends who hear the very, very stripped-down versions of all the songs I release. The Barbershop chorus I sing with, Manu Mātātahi, who has been nothing but supportive with my aspirations. My songs even get played at the gym I work at!  

It’s just such a high-risk, high-reward career to be in, and I’d change absolutely nothing about my journey.