Nia Wyn

Musician — Llandudno

01Profile

A Nia Wyn Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Nia Wyn, Llandudno, North Wales.

Describe your style in three words?
Retro, masc-sometimes-a-little-femme, streetwear.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Definitely watching Fleetwood Mac in 2019 in Wembley. Even better than I imagined it would be. Bucket list gig.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
If I’m going to bend the parameters of the question a bit, it would be a Soulquarian supergroup line-up, and Anderson .Paak as well. True musicianship!

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I think mod fashion and even some skinhead clothing have influenced how I dress. The jazz scene in the 1950s. I enjoy a good pair of sneakers, so I’d also go with hip-hop subculture too. Both hip-hop and jazz are at the root of neo-soul at the end of the day. Nowadays I feel more comfortable dressing more masculine, and the increasing visibility of queer and masc-presenting women in popular culture and everyday life has empowered me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Bessie Smith. A blues legend and queer icon. She’d be fascinating to talk to over a tea.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ve seen Kehlani and Akala at KOKO in Camden over the years - beautiful venue and round the corner from one of the first places I lived in London. Hopefully, it reopens next year as planned.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Billie Holiday - she is a big influence on my singing style. She was a pioneer for jazz singers, and women in music. She lived a tough life and deserved better.


Growing up in a small town in North Wales, Nia Wyn found solace in old blues and soul records she found in junk shops. Nia has a talent for powerful socially conscious storytelling with her unorthodox vocal style.

You can catch Nia supporting Paul Weller on tour later this year, details on that and for all other news and updates visit linktr.ee/niawyn.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Between The Bars' by Elliott Smith.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Flying On The Ground Is Wrong' by Buffalo Springfield.

One record you would keep forever?
'What’s Going On' by Marvin Gaye.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that”

From 'Bob Dylan’s Dream by Bob Dylan.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Dontcha' by The Internet.

A song you wished you had written?
'Wish You Were Here' by Al Green.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Hate The Club' by Kehlani (ft. Masego).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Sound of the Underground' by Girls Aloud.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Harlem' by Bill Withers.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Ride Or Die' by Durand Jones & The Indications.
'Be Someone' by Children of Zeus.
'Terry Crews' by Lo Village.
'Evil Eye' by Bellah.
'sweet wurli' by edbl, Conor Albert.
'Room 21' by Deyah.
'Baby Powder' by Jenevieve.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Nia Wyn, Llandudno, North Wales.

Describe your style in three words?
Retro, masc-sometimes-a-little-femme, streetwear.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Definitely watching Fleetwood Mac in 2019 in Wembley. Even better than I imagined it would be. Bucket list gig.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
If I’m going to bend the parameters of the question a bit, it would be a Soulquarian supergroup line-up, and Anderson .Paak as well. True musicianship!

Which subcultures have influenced you?
I think mod fashion and even some skinhead clothing have influenced how I dress. The jazz scene in the 1950s. I enjoy a good pair of sneakers, so I’d also go with hip-hop subculture too. Both hip-hop and jazz are at the root of neo-soul at the end of the day. Nowadays I feel more comfortable dressing more masculine, and the increasing visibility of queer and masc-presenting women in popular culture and everyday life has empowered me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Bessie Smith. A blues legend and queer icon. She’d be fascinating to talk to over a tea.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ve seen Kehlani and Akala at KOKO in Camden over the years - beautiful venue and round the corner from one of the first places I lived in London. Hopefully, it reopens next year as planned.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Billie Holiday - she is a big influence on my singing style. She was a pioneer for jazz singers, and women in music. She lived a tough life and deserved better.


Growing up in a small town in North Wales, Nia Wyn found solace in old blues and soul records she found in junk shops. Nia has a talent for powerful socially conscious storytelling with her unorthodox vocal style.

You can catch Nia supporting Paul Weller on tour later this year, details on that and for all other news and updates visit linktr.ee/niawyn.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Between The Bars' by Elliott Smith.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Flying On The Ground Is Wrong' by Buffalo Springfield.

One record you would keep forever?
'What’s Going On' by Marvin Gaye.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
“I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that”

From 'Bob Dylan’s Dream by Bob Dylan.

The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Dontcha' by The Internet.

A song you wished you had written?
'Wish You Were Here' by Al Green.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Hate The Club' by Kehlani (ft. Masego).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Sound of the Underground' by Girls Aloud.

Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'Harlem' by Bill Withers.

Any new music you are listening to right now?
'Ride Or Die' by Durand Jones & The Indications.
'Be Someone' by Children of Zeus.
'Terry Crews' by Lo Village.
'Evil Eye' by Bellah.
'sweet wurli' by edbl, Conor Albert.
'Room 21' by Deyah.
'Baby Powder' by Jenevieve.

 

05Videos

Nia Wyn | What Did You Expect (2021)

Nia Wyn | Don't Rely On Me (2021)

Nia Wyn | Who Asked You (2020)

Nia Wyn | Turnstiles (2018)