Allow me to introduce Natalia Quest. She is the Russian singer-songwriter who’s currently causing waves in LA. Her stage name, a fusion of her innate sense of adventure and the word ‘Quest,’ reflects a deliberate choice to encapsulate the essence of her journey through life and music.
“Inversion” delves into the depths of societal discord, wielding orchestral arrangements, gritty guitars, and haunting vocals to mirror the stark realities of our contemporary world. The song serves as both a commentary and a call to action, challenging listeners to confront the unsettling truths woven into the fabric of our existence.
But Natalia is not only about music; her dedication to human beings transcends studio boundaries. For instance, she recalls parting ways with her closest creative collegue, because she suddenly realized he was creating an Inversion for her on a personal level—sabotaging and inverting some of her most sincere creative expressions. If Natalia hadn’t exposed the Inversion in her personal microcosm, the song might never have been released. Therefore, shedding light on both personal and collective shadow aspects is her special gift.
Join us as we delve deeper into the life of this multi-talented musician.
Listen to Inversion below
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What is your stage name?
Natalia Quest
Is there a story behind your stage name?
When I recorded my first song several years ago, I also had to choose a name for my project. I asked myself, ‘What pseudonym or word could succinctly and metaphorically encapsulate the quintessence of my personality, experiences, and ever-evolving consciousness?’ And within a few days, the word ‘Quest’ confidently came to me.
Where do you find inspiration?
I don’t actively seek it… Inspiration comes spontaneously. Often, as a form of therapy during intense moments in my life, I gravitate towards listening to intense songs that help process my feelings, or I create ones like that myself. While pain can certainly serve as a major source of inspiration, I can also draw inspiration from very positive and uplifting aspects of life, as well as from some artists and writers, and their masterpieces that touch my soul.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
I graduated from a music school and a music college in my hometown in Russia. Although my school years were not the most pleasant and easy for me due to various reasons, I believe that my academic background still helps me incorporate classical elements into my compositions and feel more comfortable experimenting with musical harmonies. During my teenage years, I was a huge fan of Queen. They became my role models for their unique approach to mainstream, playful freedom of artistic expressions, sophisticated self-ironical rebelliousness, and their bold blend of various genres, etc
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
Partially. My father and my uncle possess great creative and musical talents.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
The music industry itself is not very inspiring, and I’ve encountered a lot of resistance in pursuing this path. However, lyrics and music keep coming to me. I once came across the wisdom that hoarding one’s artistic expressions in private constitutes a form of ‘transgression.’ Therefore, I am more inspired by the idea of sharing my songs with those willing to listen, rather than by being a part of the music industry per se.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I am not very fond of playing various instruments, and when it comes to singing, I underwent a complex and unconventional journey that required me to figure out how to ‘unlearn’ certain things and imprints to simply unleash my natural voice and my true essence through vocals. I have always written poetry, and my first mature songs were recorded in 2014. I don’t use formulas or algorithms in composition; I want to give the song the freedom to be what it wants to be. And yes, I am constantly learning and will continue to learn; I cannot claim that I have fully mastered anything by this point.
What was the first concert that you ever went to, and who did you see perform?
I think it was the Russian rock singer Vladimir Kuzmin, and I was around 5 years old. )
How could you describe your music?
It’s a form of magic to me. It’s a form of a spell. Most of my lyrics have a tendency to manifest itself over time—it’s fascinating, and this observation imposes a certain responsibility on me, as well as presents me with some interesting dilemmas.
Describe your creative process.
There’s nothing linear in there. It’s about observing how chaos and raw emotion gradually take shape, flowing through time and your entire being. Each song is a separate world to me, with its own history.
What is your main inspiration?
The idea that my craft can help someone navigate through difficult times and/or realize something important for themselves, consequently changing their life for the better, inspires me the most.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
I do not compete in art… everyone is a unique expression of the Source, you can only compete with your past self
What are your interests outside of music?
I have a degree in psychology, and I am continuing my education in this field. Additionally, I have studied astrology, which remains both my hobby and an addiction, in a way) I also like exploring the hidden and taboo aspects of reality and society, which helps me better understand the bigger picture.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
I would work as a therapist, conduct honest and transparent charitable acts, which, in fact, I have always wanted to do, regardless of music. I would also like to help address environmental issues in the future when my more basic needs are further fulfilled and secured.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
I would cultivate a more complex and profound approach to composition in the mainstream. The simplification and algorithmic soullessness of much of today’s mainstream music can truly upset me. I would also stop glorifying consumption in one form or another. We are much deeper and far more interesting beings to primarily cultivate and celebrate our animalistic urges.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans?
Yes, I’m open to collaborating with like-minded professionals. The right chemistry is rare but can perform miracles when combining the right skill set along with it.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Be very honest, first and foremost, with yourself. Then with others. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. The world will reflect ,)
