Nadia Vaeh and DNNY Team Up for Bisexual Pop Anthem

Pop artists Nadia Vaeh and DNNY recently teamed up and wrote a bisexual anthem called “One Night,” which tells the story of completely opening yourself up to new possibilities with love and sexuality. The track dropped in late June in honor of Pride Month, and a portion of the proceeds are being donated to the Human Rights Campaign.

Using compelling lyrics and an alluring melody, “One Night” is a track that is sure to get crowds moving on the dance floor. At the same time, it discusses a very real experience that is not often addressed in music.

According to Vaeh, this song was also an eye-opening experience and allowed her to learn a lot about herself—personally and artistically.

“I never expected a songwriting session would turn into a day of reveal, especially about my own sexuality,” she says. “Open and real discussions about sexuality turned into shared stories about experiences, surprising each of us, but providing perfect subject matter for a new song.”

OFM had the opportunity to catch up with Vaeh and talk more about the new single, collaborating with DNNY, and bisexuality in music.

Can you begin by telling us more about the concept and inspiration behind “One Night?”
DNNY and I both got to chatting about our experiences with dating and relationships and talked about the journey into finding ourselves. We quickly found some common ground with our sexuality and touched on all the experimentation it took to really root down into who we are. We laughed about how the journey has been an array of wild nights, some good, some bad. I think in this reflective writing session, we were able to find some light heartedness in the awkward, one-night stands! Therefore, “One Night” was born.

What was it like to team up with DNNY, and why did you want him to be involved with this project?
It was a lot of fun! I love collaborations because I always learn and grow so much, and there is nothing like making art with cool people that have had different life experiences. I met DNNY and his producer, Andrew Gomez, at an event back in 2019, and we all kind of kept in touch. I worked producing several of my own songs with Andrew over the course of 2020. I had always loved DNNY’S sound, and it was exciting to collaborate with him.

Proceeds from the single are going to the Human Rights Campaign. Why did you choose this organization?
I love what the HRC does to challenge and pose legislation to advocate for the civil rights of the LGBTQ community, all while raising awareness in and out of our community about these real issues in society. I have worked with them for another song and attended their events. They really are an incredible organization.

‘One Night’ is a bisexual anthem, and you released it in honor of Pride Month. How would you say it stands out and differs from all the other Pride singles we saw?
I would say it’s unique in the sense that this song shows two different perspectives on a similar experience of self-discovery. I feel like one-night stands are a big part of learning likes and dislikes, wants, needs, and about oneself regardless of defined sexual orientation.

Specifically, why did you want to do a bisexual anthem?
The writing session actually did not start out with this specific anthem theme in mind. We wound up there based on our shared experiences in settling into our truths after just chatting about dating and relationships.

When it comes to bisexual music artists, some believe that bisexual women are embraced, while with men, it is still a hush-hush topic. What are your thoughts on this?
I do agree that men who identify as bisexual do not receive the same support, just based on conversations I have had just recently with a guy friend who is not out yet. I believe a good bit as to why this is stems from the society constructed viewpoint of masculinity. I also feel that within family dynamics, certain pressures are placed on sons. So, for a man to be open in their sexual preferences, it takes a lot of reprogramming. I feel like women in media and in society are more welcomed to be “free” in their expressions and given so many more lanes to express themselves in the physical world, i.e. through dress, makeup, hair, nails, etc. Guys really do get placed into boxes.

How has “One Night” been received by listeners?
My fans have been really loving it! It’s a different take on a guy/girl duet, which has been very noted. People have also been feeling a bit of nostalgia with the whole premise of a one-night stand. Many of us have been there [laughs]. I think people are taken down memory lane with the pop/rock production as well!

What do you hope audiences take away from your music?
Just the confidence to be the fullest expression of themselves! I want my music to empower my listeners and remind them we are in life’s trials and tribulations together.

Have you always had a passion for singing and songwriting?
Ever since I was old enough to make noise, I wanted to sing, and I really took to poetry in my preteen years. It was such a great space for me to work out my angst and feelings of being misunderstood by my family or peers. Music later amplified that safe creation space when I realized my poems could have melodies. Something about singing my innermost thoughts was so cathartic, and I became addicted to it.

What more do you hope to accomplish with your platform?
I hope to help create shifts in toxic cultural ideals and help others on their healing journeys. We all respond to hardships differently, but music is something we can all turn to. I want to help other artists find their way as well. The music industry is so difficult, and if you show up broken, it will break you even further. Many of the best artists carry the most wounded hearts, and I aim to utilize my platform to create more safety for creatives.

What does the rest of 2021 look like for you?
Performing and finishing up my first album! Most importantly. though, I am really working on life-balance and taking better care of myself. My art suffers if I am unwell, and I have recently hit the reset button on a lot of aspects of my life to simplify it. So, I will be organizing and re-rooting into purpose, which I know will further unfold into the album.

Before we wrap up, are there any other upcoming projects or anything else you would like to mention or plug?
I have a new single coming out on August 27 called “Leap of Faith,” and it is my most honest and raw work yet. I am so excited to share this one, as it is all about shying away from our comfort zone so we can truly reach the heights we are meant for!

Connect with Vaeh by following her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit her official website. Click here to stream and download “One Night.”

Photos Courtesy of Edward Hernandez