Braeden, also known as NORA, is a 24-year-old mixed-race artist hailing from Toronto. His eclectic musical style captivates listeners, seamlessly blending elements of punk rock, post-punk, shoegaze, post-rock, soft grunge, and surf rock. NORA‘s debut EP, Strange to Bloom, has earned more than 500,000 streams to date.

In collaboration with BIG KILL‘s Cayne McKenzie and Andrew Huckaliak (both formerly We Are The City), new single “Natural Disaster” liberates the rebellious spirit within NORA. 

1. Tell us the story of this song.

“Natural Disaster” is  a representation of what my daily experiences were working at my minimum wage job that I hated. An old boss of mine would always talk behind my back telling others that I was a disaster; when in my mind, it was him who was the disaster. This song was a fuck you anthem to him and I wanted anyone who has ever had a similar experience to being talked down to , or felt in adequate at a job they hate and had to do survive,  to be able to feel this song at their core. I chose to visualize this song because it is a reality of my day to day life. 

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

Lebni, our director, drew inspiration from various shows and movies as well as the lyrics of the song when conceptualizing the video. He wanted to showcase Nora and the bustling city he lives in. Ensuring that the visual representation matched the energy of the song was paramount to him.

 3. What was the process of making this video?

Choosing to shoot on 16mm film added a nostalgic touch to the project, complementing the timeless essence of the song. Ali, our talented costume designer, crafted the oversized piñata-like head, despite it being her first endeavour of its kind. Despite our modest indie setup, our close-knit crew operated like a family, and their dedication was indispensable to bringing this vision to life.

When I’m on stage and feel the crowd’s energy building as they connect with a song inspired by a former coworker’s attempt to undermine me with the same words now fueling the audience’s excitement, it’s an incredibly empowering moment. It’s a visceral ‘fuck you’ to anyone who’s ever tried to put me down or make me feel less than my worth.