Interview with Nevein & New Music Video “Waiting”
Toronto Singer/Songwriter Nevein has recently released her latest music “Waiting”, a song inspired by the frustration of carrying out your dreams. The music video, shot by Toronto Creatives, features Nevein in her childhood home, the place where she has always created, practiced and imagined her music career, adding a realness to the portrayal of this emotional track, which explores impatience, expectations vs. reality, and keeping the dream alive. The music video also features Kensington Market’s “The Supermarket” an iconic Toronto music venue which has hosted thousands of artists on the path of following their own dreams. Watch the music video for Waiting above, and keep scrolling to learn more about Nevein and her new video in the in depth interview below!
Interview with Nevein
What inspired “Waiting”?
What moment or feeling sparked the first line, the first melody, or the story behind the song?
“Waiting” was inspired by the frustration of carrying out your dreams. If you care about your dreams, you can’t wait for them to happen because that’s not how the world works. There needs to be a plan, a schedule, a budget, and a vision in which you’re responsible for making things happen. Ultimately, you are the vessel that pushes you to persevere through a long journey ahead.
I wrote this song during my solo period. The lyrics came first, and for a long time I struggled to find the melody. One day, I was in my room, fiddling with the guitar and experimenting with the E-string, until I came up with a composition I was happy with.
Currently, I play with a band called Studio Riff from Bloor West Music Studios. In 2023, I introduced my original to the band because I felt that the song deserved a solid arrangement. It was amazing to see the transition from acoustic guitar to orchestrating rhythm, bass, lead and rhythm electric guitar.
Having the band, I was able to imagine the song with more possibilities. I decided to slow down the 3rd verse, completely changing the ambience and tempo. I drew this inspiration from Pink Floyd, one of my favourite bands of all time. I wanted to bring that vision I had in my head to life; me standing centre stage under the spotlight, creating a moment that would define my future.
The lyrics repeat “I know that I will be okay, if I just live for one more day.”
What does that mantra mean to you personally?
This lyric helps me to stay positive, because if I live for one more day, that’s another opportunity to live out my dreams. It reminds me to be patient with myself, because there are days when I’m actively planning my goals and days when I just want to watch TV. It helps to reassure me that it’s okay to take breaks, to be frustrated with the journey, and to recognize accomplishments when completing tasks.
How would you describe the emotional landscape of the track?
Indie rock, soul, singer-songwriter — where does “Waiting” live between those worlds?
The emotional landscape of the track explores impatience, expectations vs. reality, and keeping the dream alive. Growing up, you hear these infamous stories of how some artists were discovered. Many of those stories present people as being lucky, but it’s often forgotten that they still had to work hard to achieve their place in the music industry. I’ve struggled with being impatient, purposely singing out loud as I walk through public spaces, hoping whoever catches me singing is a music executive from a record label and that I’ll get signed on the spot. In reality, I’ve been managing my music career since I was 15. Performing all over Toronto, being in bands, going solo, booking gigs, completely giving up on my craft because of personal reasons, and crawling back. Cut to now: I have more stability in my work schedule so that I can make time for monthly projects. By being responsible and recognizing how important this is to me, I can establish what my vision of success means. Every artist decision I make, every penny I spend, is all for the dream to stay alive.
You chose to film in your childhood home and bedroom.
What does that space represent for you?
I chose to film in this space because this is where I create, practice and imagine my music career. The living room is my stage, and my bedroom is my studio. The living room allows me to practice my performance and physicality. Here I’m thinking, “How can I show movement?” or “What parts do I want to emphasize with a signature pose?” The bedroom is the room that sparks the motivation to figure out the song, including composition, lyrics, meaning, melody, and emotions. Here I’m asking myself, “What are you feeling?” and “How do you want to be heard?” I care about the songs I put out in the world, and my goal is to create a moment of reflection. Not to overthink, but to understand and process the world that a person may live in. This way of thinking started at home, and I thank my parents for presenting creativity in a fun yet philosophical way, where I can find myself in my art.
The video transitions from the house to the stage at Supermarket.
What does that shift symbolize in your journey as an artist?
The transition from the house to the stage at Supermarket symbolizes that there is still much left to do. I’m in the development stage of my career, where I want to reach a wider audience, perform on bigger stages and have an online presence.
That shot of the empty room is often my reality. But no matter the size of the crowd, big or small, one person or a hundred, I will always perform like it’s my last.
Were there any surprising or emotional moments while filming in such a personal space?
Yes, my living room. Seeing the living room as the “stage” before the venue “stage” was emotional and brought back memories. The living room is where all the performances started! I remember my childhood birthday singing/performing with my friends to “Stop Right Now” by The Spice Girls. My parents’ house parties, where my mom would belly dance for everyone and get me to join her. At my brother’s going-away party, where he and his girlfriend, now his wife, backpacked to Chile, I sang a song I wrote for him in front of all his friends. That was a big deal for me, because I kept all of my songs a secret. I was in high school then, and I remember wanting to show him how much I’ll miss him, because it was the first time he was going away for a while. The song was about how I’ll always support him and be his cheerleader, no matter what.
What’s the next step for you now — after all this “waiting”?
After all this “waiting”, the next step is to keep being active. My plan for 2026 is to release my first solo EP. I already have a title: “Break Up Brain.” The title is from a painting I did back in 2015. The album will represent the butterflies, heartache, suffering and pain of past relationships that truly left a mark on my life. I’ve grown and learnt a lot about myself, including how much I can take when it comes to navigating love, but it’s also taught me when it’s time to accept and let go. It’s a sensitive topic, and I now feel equipped to let the emotional side of me out with songs that will truly captivate music lovers everywhere.
