Leaving a corporate 9-5 to purse her dreams of a career in the music industry, NORA. is set to release her debut EP, “Just Words.,” on January 30th. After getting a taste of what’s to come through her single, “Kiss My Ass.,” we know we can expect nothing less than catchy hooks and relatable storytelling. Beyond the music, NORA. advocates for children with disabilities, volunteer at the nonprofit organization Best Buddies, and has even been a part of Musicians on Call’s 2025 holiday campaign. To learn more about NORA. and her debut EP, read on.

Where are you based?
I am based in Nashville, TN!

You recently left your corporate 9-5 job to pursue music. What inspired you to take this leap?
I took this leap because I realized that spending so much time in the office was holding me back from giving my music career everything I had. Deep down, I knew I would regret it forever if I didn’t take the chance.

Congratulations on the success of “Kiss My Ass.,” your new single! What was the inspiration behind this song?
Thank you! The inspiration is kind of an alter ego for me. I avoid conflict and being upfront, so this song is basically all the things I wish I had said to someone who treated me the way they did.

Your debut EP “Just Words.” is set to release sometime soon. Can you tell us a bit about what listeners might expect to hear from this project? What are some of the themes explored throughout the EP?
This project holds so many of the feelings from the last two years of my life. It’s about navigating change, love’s ups and downs, and honestly sitting with and examining my past relationships… not just with other people, but with myself.

We’ve had the privilege of getting to listen to the EP ahead of its release and are blown away at your lyrical honesty throughout the entire project. How do you get comfortable with the idea of releasing music with such raw emotions behind it?
I think I’ve always been like this. Sometimes I communicate better in songs…. the things I’m too scared to say out loud end up in the music. It feels like closure for me. Maybe that’s unhealthy or immature, but it’s real. I’ve always respected artists who write about things that truly matter to them… you can feel when someone is personally connected to what they’re singing. I want to mean every word I sing, and honestly, being vulnerable is cool.

Where do you look to for inspiration when making music?
I find inspiration in my own experiences, or in things friends and family talk about that I relate to. It honestly comes from everywhere. I’ll be watching a TV show and think, OMG, I’ve felt that and wow, that sucked and boom, there it is.

What do you hope listeners connect with through your music and storytelling?
I hope people can relate to what I’m saying. There’s something really beautiful about realizing you’re not crazy, that someone else feels the same way you do. Hearing your own emotions put into words, singing them in your car after an eight-hour shift, is incredibly comforting. That’s what I do with the artists I love, and that’s the feeling I hope to give back.

You’re a part of the Musicians on Call Holiday Campaign for 2025. Can you tell us more about this organization, the holiday campaign, and how you got involved?
Musicians On Call (MOC) is an incredible organization that brings live and recorded music directly to the bedsides of patients, families, and caregivers in healthcare settings. When they invited artists to record holiday songs to share, it was an easy yes for me. I was truly grateful to be part of something so meaningful, and I hope I can continue to support them and do even more in the future.

In your opinion, how can music help people heal?
I think music helps people heal by giving them space to fully feel their emotions. Whether someone connects more to the melody or the lyrics, everyone has a song or genre that can make them feel even just 1% better. Music amplifies what we’re already feeling, and in doing so, reminds us that our emotions are valid. Whether it’s happy, sad, or intense, being able to feel and process those emotions through music is comforting and that’s where a lot of healing begins in my opinion.

You have volunteered with the nonprofit Best Buddies. Can you tell us a bit about their mission and how you were involved?
Best Buddies is a nonprofit that builds real friendships and inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I volunteered in college, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I still keep in touch with some of those friends today!

Why is advocating for children with disabilities such an important cause to you?
Advocating for children with disabilities is important to me because I’ve seen how much of a difference support and inclusion can make in someone’s life. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of a community where they feel valued. I also think we can learn a lot from these kids… they often see the world with a glass-half-full perspective that’s inspiring.

What advice do you have for young girls wanting to start making music?
Don’t let anyone tell you who you are or what your music should be. This is your heart, your voice, your music. You get to decide what that looks like.

Are there any upcoming projects you are currently working on that we should be on the lookout for?
I’ve been writing a lot these days, so that’s really all I’ve got for you!

It has been a crazy few years, and we expect at least four more. How have you been staying positive?
I stay positive by reminding myself that things will work out, even if they don’t go the way I planned. I trust God, and that gives me peace knowing I’m covered.

What is your motto in life?
My motto would be something like, “Be nice, not naive.” As a natural people-pleaser, I have to remind myself of that constantly.

To learn more about NORA., please check out the links below:
Website

Instagram: @its_justnora

TikTok: @norasuknaic

Just Words. EP here

Best Buddies

Musicians on Call