Nim Vind  has created an artistic identity for himself that refuses to submit to any specific rock and roll genre. As a result, his sound connects well with a broad spectrum of listeners. He’s toured with several respected musical icons from within the horror punk, deathrock, and dark wave scenes. He is modest in his approach and mysterious in his ways. And as a writer drawn to learning more about the person behind the craft than the mechanics of the craft itself—I found myself delighted to interview the man known as Nim Vind.

I learned a lot more than I expected to from this interview. As an artist, it inspired me, and I hope it does the same for you:

Can you share with us anything from your childhood that may have helped to create who you are today as Nim Vind?

Nim Vind: My Father was in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I was raised by a musician. My uncles were in the CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City Rock N Roll scene in New York. So music was all around me. All I was interested in once I hit high school was music. I still love a loud guitar and midnight show in some dark, packed bar. I love the idea of sound helping people essentially telepathically communicate. That’s exactly what happens. You communicate with shared emotion and excitement. What could be more cool than that? You can have a language barrier but still share an emotional high with that person. You both know the language the music is speaking and it unites your minds for a time. However I consider myself more of an artist than a working musician. I don’t play in a bunch of different bands to make ends meet. I do my own art and music and play with a few select projects that I really connect with.

How do you prepare yourself mentally before going into a recording session?

Nim Vind: I am always really excited to record. It’s possibly my favourite part of the music endeavour. I write songs in my own space and work on them in various settings. The payoff of all the work to make hopefully amazing songs is getting to go in and record them for other people to listen to. I love the whole process from recording to mixing to mastering. So really the only preparation is an excited attitude. I would never want to be bummed out or depressed and not wanting to go to the studio. If I was feeling down the studio is the thing that would pull me out of it. I love it. It’s therapy.

Has any fan feedback ever made you realize that something you’ve said or composed truly affected them—maybe by helping them through a personal hardship? What affect does that have on you and future writings?

Nim Vind: I’ve got some amazing letters for sure. From people coming out of or going into surgeries, to people suffering, to people needing a power up before they have to do something they’re nervous about. That’s an amazing feeling and a letter like that can change your year sometimes or at least your day. Recently it’s been great to see my friend Deadly 13 sell her Nim Dolls and have other artists start working with her too. She originally sent me doll for fun and we loved it so much we started paying her to make them for us. It’s great to see other people’s talents at work. It’s inspiring.

In a world of chaotic social media, promoting, and other obligations involved with being a musician, what helps you to unwind and find peace?

Nim Vind: I am a loner so having time to reflect on things during a midnight walk is really cool for me. I also love to read but I have to say I love the social media aspect of it. I run Nim Vind myself so it’s a pleasure to see every “like” and every online store sale or whatever. I love just getting the chance to do Nim Vind stuff all night long. I don’t plan on growing up and getting a real life. Why would I want to do that?

Interview by Veronica Campbell

Facebook www.facebook.com/nimvindofficial

Instagram @nimvind

http://www.nimvind.com

http://www.facebook.com/nim.vind

Photos by MichelleXstar and prints can be purchased at Michellexstarphoto.com

Interview published Dec. 30, 2018. Not for use with any other publication without permission.