Singer Melina Nora goes back to her Valais roots

The artist Melina Nora, who grew up in Hagendorn, but sings in Valais dialect, is releasing her first EP and going on tour in the spring. And there is a special story behind her stage name.

Melina Nora arrives for the interview with the Zuger Zeitung newspaper with a jute bag, carry-on suitcase and rucksack in tow. The singer from Hagendorn is a frequent traveller. ‘I've just come back from the mountains, where we were rehearsing in a cabin for the upcoming tour,’ says the 24-year-old. Her first EP (Extended Play) entitled ‘Landtapu’, sung in Valais dialect, will be released on 21^st March. She describes her musical style as ‘Wallisertitschi Indie-Popmüsig, unplugged’.

‘Landtapu’ is a Valais expression meaning toad. ‘I like to play with words like that in my songs. It's to encourage people to become creative themselves, and find out what they could mean,’ she says. Her songs - including the titles ‘Was Hokksch’ and ‘Verformig’ - are about her childhood memories from Valais. She often spent weekends with her grandmother back then, and still speaks Valais dialect at home with her parents. But she can easily switch to ‘Zugerisch’, however.

What's behind the name Melina Nora
There is a special story behind her stage name. Melina is her first name, but Nora stands for her twin sister, who died before she was born. ‘She gives me strength and gives me what I'm missing. It was through her that I found playfulness,’ she says. Music has accompanied Melina Nora since she was little: her grandfather was a musical conductor (dirigent).

She composes songs together with her best friend Nicolas Ruedin. ‘We like to sit down together in a meadow and let our creativity run free.’ In her busy schedule for new music, the artist likes to take the time to spend a few days a month in Valais.

Singer Melina Nora enjoys the recent beautiful weather on Lake Zug.
The artist Melina Nora grew up in Hagendorn. She feels connected to both the canton of Zug and her home canton of Valais
Her Release Tour programme    Photos: Matthias Jurt 

‘Valais reminds me of the scent of crushed grapes and of home. I feel safe and at home there,’ the singer enthuses. Individual places in the canton of Zug are also sources of strength for her. Melina Nora cites the Frauentalerwald forest and the Lorze river as examples. She also associates Zug with her childhood, the music school in Cham and her family.

The anticipation for the first EP is great. ‘I’ve had it pressed on vinyl. Finally holding it in my hands will certainly be a special feeling.’ Melina Nora will pour Valais champagne over her record at the Helsinki Club in Zurich on 26^th March. And the next record is already being planned, before the first one has even been released. ‘It's important for me to stay in the moment during all the planning and to be aware of the milestone,’ emphasises the artist.

Initial spark at her Bachelor’s concert in Zurich
But why does she sing in Valais dialect? The initial spark came just over two years ago at her Bachelor's concert at the Zurich University of the Arts (Zürcher Hochschule der Künste). She sang in various languages - but the very last song was in Valais dialect. ‘It evoked something childlike in me and just felt real,’ she says, describing the moment.

Melina Nora is not only releasing her first EP, she is also going on tour straight away. ‘It still feels surreal to me. For me, it's only real when it actually happens.’ By this, the singer means that she will be able to sing a duet with Sina on her anniversary tour, among other things. She grew up with Sina’s music: ‘Sina radiates a lot of warmth for me.’

‘Zermatt Unplugged’ is also a dream come true for the Zug native. There will also be promotional items on the tour. ‘I've chosen a tea flavour for each of the four songs,’ says Melina Nora.

Melina Nora will be performing in the Bistro in the Gewürzmühle in Zug from 8:00 pm on Thursday, 20^th March. Admission free, recommended donation CHF 30.00.

For more information (in German)
https://www.instagram.com/melinanoramusic/?utm_source=ig_embed
Some examples of her music can be found on:
https://mx3.ch/melinanora