Nathalia Khawand : Apples and Snakes

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Passionate. Loud. Alive*.

*terms and conditions apply.

What inspires you?

I want to look back at my life and be able to say that I actually ‘lived’ it, that I didn’t sit back and let it pass me by. Creating and embracing art is the best way I know how to do that.

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I’m luckier than most in that my worst gig was very much my own fault. My lines kept poof-ing right out of my head throughout my set, and it was an intimate acoustic show with no mic or lights to hide behind. I got more and more frustrated with myself as the minutes went by, which made me mess up even more. That night was a wakeup call to the fact that when I walk up on stage, I need to be doing it for me – and not to please anyone else. It’s easy to forget sometimes that we create because we love it. Period.

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

People reading off their phones on stage. If you have to read at all, at least get a notebook or something. I’m a bit of a boomer like that.

Whose words do you love at the moment?

For the last few weeks, I keep coming back to a line from the song Moon River by Aquilo: “and if it breaks your heart, then it’s good, then it’s good, then it’s good.” It’s so simple but it has a hold on me lately – I try to remind myself that I’m lucky to have things in my life good enough to be heartbroken over.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

To not take everything so seriously. Especially other people.

If you were stuck in a lift with a stranger, what song would you suggest you sing to keep your spirits up?

I’d start singing Bohemian Rapsody – it would either go really well or terribly, either way I’ll be amused.