Nicole Zignago on her Latin American sounds

Mexico-based singer-songwriter Nicole Zignago is famed for her indie pop, Latin American music. Her first public performance was at the young age of 14, when her father – Peruvian musician Gian Marco – invited her to sing with him at one of his own concerts. Having studied music at Berklee College of Music, she started uploading song covers on YouTube and made her debut as a singer in 2019 with the song ‘La Ola’, alongside the Mexican singer Marco Mares. In 2020, she released her first solo single ‘Preguntas’, before signing with Warner Music Mexico in 2021.

 

Here, she tells Soho House about her love of performing, how her musical journey began and how she channels inspiration from Mexico. 

 

‘I grew up in a very musical household and connected with music from a young age. I remember being four years old, singing on a mic for the first time, and wanting to replicate that feeling over and over again. Then, I sang in front of a crowd for the first time at 13 and said to myself that this is probably what I’ll do for a living. The songwriting came after around 16 – that’s when I felt complete and decided to go to music school after high school. Nothing compares to the feeling it gives me, the feeling of connection I have with people when I perform.’ 

‘My family and I decided to move to Los Angeles when I was 18, and after spending some time in the States, I felt it was time to come back to Latin America. Then, my career started to grow some roots in Mexico City. It’s full of music, art, amazing people, amazing food and beautiful architecture; it inspires me every day. It’s such a special place.’

‘I’m finishing my first album; it comes out in 2024. It actually feels like a dream writing it; I’ve been waiting for this for a long time – it has my heart and soul.’

 

‘I’m obsessed with MUNA, Holly Humberstone and Daniela Spalla.’

 

‘Their people and the love they have for their country, it’s contagious.’

 

‘Since I was a little kid up until high school, I was dancing to Peruvian music. The rhythms and syncopations are very specific, and it has definitely influenced the way that I construct melodies and harmonic patterns. Sometimes I find myself listening to my own music and discovering very Andean melodies.’

 

‘Life. Going inward to my soul, my human experience. Connecting with people, travelling, making mistakes, and listening to other music. Life is a creative process itself – you’re constantly creating and channelling inspirations from that, so songs are my favourite thing in the world.’

 

‘That I’m always excited to create community and learn from new people I meet.’

 

‘In a meeting, hosting a release party for my music, and definitely hanging out by the pool in the summer.’

 

‘Yes, I still do that. Writing is like a muscle – you need to exercise it and I enjoy creating in different genres, not only in the ones I see my project living in. Also, I love going in the studio and meeting new people, collaborating, learning different ways of approaching writing. It keeps me motivated.’