Meet Leipzig, Germany-born UK Open Mic performer, Nora Lyn Handschuh:

Hi Nora Lyn Handschuh, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

20

Where were you born?

Leipzig, Germany

Where did you grow up?

Leipzig, Germany

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

The popular German music at the moment didn’t really influence me but there are some old German Pop-/Rock- and Funkongs, which defenitely influenced me. Also, all the opportunities I had there to get in touch with lots of different genres influenced my music a lot.

Where are you based now, and why?

Still germany, Leipzig.. I’m traveling right now and visiting some friends here.

What got you into making music in the first place?

My dream from childhood is to live from what I love the most and the wish to move peeps and to explore all the different styles of music :-))

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing, Piano, Guitar, Loopstation (but I only brought my guitar)

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Jacob Collier, he’s a genius and music explorer (+ I love Jazz & alternative pop)
Régina Spektor – great artist with honest music, wonderful lyrics
Edith Piaf – love french chansons, great vibe
Nat King Cole – genius, warm, honest voice
Ella Fitzgerald – genius, warm, honest voice, happiness in music
Zaz – great vibe
Amy Winehouse – great artist
Die Ärzte (German Punkrock group) – honest, satirical, provocative lyrics

Etc. Etc.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

10-13

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

First finding a Melody and accompany by improvising, then lyrics..

Playing outside or in moving moments – finding lovely melodies connected with these moments.

Writing poems, then harmonize them 🙂

Using notation software and theoretical noledge to explore music more.

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

I love music and to share mine with others 🙂

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Think of the things you wanna tell with your music, enjoy the moment. It doesn’t matter if you do some mistakes. Your emotion, message an joy in music is what counts and what you can give to the audience. It’s your time to be free.

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

At Villakeller Leipzig, ’cause of the atmosphere and open mind of everyone :-)) It’s a lovely place that gives everyone the chance to play 🙂

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Maybe a bit more money but it’s going alright 😅
Finding enough time to invest in practice. But in general, lots of things are going great right now :-))

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

I’m 20 years old 😅

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

My Funk-/groove Ba in Leipzig/Germany,

My self-created band in Leipzig, with which we also play my own tunes (going in the direction of Jazz and alternative pop

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

https://youtube.com/@noralynhandschuh9459

Do you have music on streaming? What’s your main streaming channel to send people to?

https://instagram.com/noralynhandschuh?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ==

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://instagram.com/noralynhandschuh?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ==

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!