Noell is ready to let the R&B game know who she is and what she stands for. Hailing from Maryland, the singer-songwriter describes her music in two parts: soulful R&B and urban R&B — the latter diving more into the hip-hop lane. Regardless, every song is different and created with the utmost honesty and authenticity. Read more..

Growing up singing in the church, the “Deserve” artist records from her heart and soul — something that’s cherished in today’s ever-changing world of music. In 2014, Noell saved up all her money and made the move to Atlanta after her girl group fell through. Since then, she’s been going full-fledge with her solo career, which includes releasing a full body of work titled Ego Aside.

We caught up with Noell as she stopped through Los Angeles, on the road opening for Tokyo Jetz on her first nationwide tour.

Being from Maryland, how does that play into your life and career?
It helped me because the town was so small. We don’t have a lot of people coming out of there, it motivated me to want to move and go harder. No one actually. [laughs] We have Mario, that’s the only person I know.

How’s Atlanta been?
The A’s been amazing. They’re really big out there with their music too. The studios, the people, the producers, it’s kind of easy to run into them. If you know one person who does music, then you almost know everyone in Atlanta who does music. They’re really friendly, Atlanta people are known to share. They’ll hook you up with their producer, their writer, their engineers, other artists, everybody.

How important is it to come to LA as an up and coming artist?
It’s really important. There’s a lot of opportunities out here we don’t have in Atlanta. Atlanta’s really big for the hip-hop/rap scene, not so much R&B or pop. It’s more important to come out here for that special lane. I’m trying to move here actually. We’re already looking at places to come in July.

What’s your favorite part about the West Coast?
The weather. In Maryland, we had snow. It used to come up to our knees. We used to walk to school, so this is amazing.

You’ve were singing in the church at a young age. At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?
The moment I realized it, I was 14. I did The Star Spangled Banner at my basketball game in high school. We actually made it to the championships, I sang it there. That’s when I knew because it was a rush.

You’re currently independent, talk about the girl group and where you’re at now.
I’m signed to an independent label, they help a lot. They have a lot of connections which is good. When you don’t have a label, you don’t have connections, it’s very hard. Before I signed, it was super hard by myself. It’s all about making connections. Even if you’re not signed, if you’re cool, people will rock with you regardless.

What was the inspiration behind your name?
I went over it a thousand times. I actually had 17 different ideas and names. I used to call people at night like “what if I made my artist name some kind of crystal?” Because I’m very spiritual. I meditate and have a lot of crystals. “What if it’s one of those?” Every single time, I always go back to Noell. I’m like “I’ma just keep it like this.”

What were some backups?
Well I’m an Aquarius, and my birthstone is Amethyst. I was going to do something like that. I wanted to do something about Maryland. I wasn’t really sure what, but something symbolic.

You just dropped your new album Ego Aside. How’s the fan reception been?
It’s been great. It’s actually been so much good feedback I didn’t even expect. It’s surprising to me because people will write me, send me videos of them singing. They know all the words already, I’m like “wow.” I didn’t expect that much good feedback that fast, especially when I’m independent. The streams and everything have been doing really well.

What’s the significance in the title?
I wanted it to be a vulnerable project. Right now, we’re in the era of everybody wants to be savage. “I don’t give a fuck, fuck n*ggas, da-da-da.” Which I talk about too, but I want it to be super vulnerable. Even though you’re hurting, I want to also say “my feelings are hurt.” Just every aspect of what people go through in relationships without trying to put a facade on it.

Bring us back to the studio session for “Deserve.”
That was fun. There’s a sample in there from Tank, “Maybe I Deserve.” Everybody keeps catching it. As soon as I heard it, I was like “oh I know what I want to write about.” Because I had the title “deserve” in my head already. I had a guitarist in there, he played that guitar live. The guitar solo at the end, he came in and did that in one take. That shit’s fire as fuck. He did that, then just dipped off. It’s very powerful. Everything was freestyled, nothing was handwritten. Nothing was written on my phone, everything was in the booth. He freestyled it, I freestyled it, it was a good time.

What is it you look for in a man?
First, someone funny. ‘Cause I like to play. When I meet people serious, it kills my vibe. I can’t be myself. I don’t want to dim my light for serious people all the time. Someone honest, funny — with little aggression. If I have someone too soft, I’ll run all over them naturally. I’ll be too demanding, it won’t work. [laughs]

You dropped your “Love Without Ownership” visual end of last year. How was it bringing that record to life?
It was amazing. I actually did it out here in LA in the hills. The guy I was supposed to use was gonna fly in from New York. His flight got delayed. He’s like “look I’m going to be 3 hours late.” We wound up just finding any guy. [laughs] We seen a guy outside, we’re like “he’s cute.” “Do you want to do a video? We’ll pay you $200.” Told him it’s gonna be a few hours. He’s like “yeah let’s do it.” He was very funny, the chemistry was great off top. Sometimes it’s awkward when you don’t know someone, like “okay you gotta be my love interest.” But he was very open, it was fun.

What is it you want fans to get from your story?
Just me, authenticity. People see me on Instagram, they’re like “oh you’re so polished, you’re so cool. You seem so happy all the time.” It’s the opposite. [laughs] I’m a mess. I want them to know that because everyone else, we’re all a mess. People look at people on the internet and because they think someone’s polished, they build insecurities and feel like they have to amount to that. But really it’s like “yo, I’m fucked up.” I really want to get across that I have a lot of issues. I’m a little bipolar…

Me too! Diagnosed and everything.
Exactly. Real bipolar disorder. I want them to get that if not anything else. It’s okay to be yourself and be a mess. In my experience, every guy who’s got to know the real me and the messy parts, they like me more than the guys who’s never seen that. It works, they like that for some reason. Being a little bit of crazy is alright.

This is your first national tour with Tokyo Jetz. What’s been the greatest memory?
Watching people connect with me. Because I’m new, I didn’t know if they’d really vibe with me. But in every single city, they’ve been going crazy. Every single person in the crowd’s been following me, giving me feedback on my performance. Telling me “it’s really good they have one R&B artist on there because it really shows the versatility of the tour.” They get that feel. It’s good for me because I’m the only R&B chick. They’re like “who’s the R&B chick?” It’s only one. “Oh yeah I want to follow her, what’s her Instagram?” Just the response and the feeling I get on stage.

What’s been the biggest challenge?
That damn sprinter man, it’s so small. [laughs] We been getting hotel rooms when we get to the city, but some of the drives have been 18 hours. We can’t sleep really. I mean, we have to sit. It’s not enough space to lay down. We had a technical issue with the tour bus we’re supposed to get so we had to change last minute. It’s really nice, but it’s a lot smaller and there’s a lot of us. The uncomfortableness and trying to adapt to being around people… I’m a super loner. I live alone. I don’t even stay at my friend’s house. Sleeping with all these people all the time has been a challenge.

As you grow as artist, do you think you’ll become more of an extrovert?
I know I’ma have to. Another thing people say about Aquarius — for people who are into astrology — is we’re natural loners, but we’re the easiest social butterflies. We easily adapt but deep down inside, we’re like “yeah I’d rather be at home right now.” While I’m here, we usually get along with people.

What are some goals for yourself as an artist at this point in your career?
I really want to continue to put a really nice body of work together. Quality music always. I don’t want to take the easy way out because it’s a lot of — I don’t want to say not real music, but it’s a lot of people that throw stuff together to get likes or clout. I want to continue to make quality music no matter how long it takes or if it takes a little longer. Just dive into all the way into music. Eventually, do a little acting.

I was gonna ask, what would you be doing if not music?
Acting. I went to college for a little bit to be a teacher. Teaching English, because I like kids.

What’s a normal day in the life? Walk us through.
Actually, I don’t have a routine. Anything from going to the gym, going to the studio, eating… a lot. [laughs] Coffee every time I wake up because I need it. Those are the only routine things I have, everything else is spontaneous. I like to go to the mountains sometimes. I like to meditate, read a book.

3 things you need in the studio?
Low lights #1. Emptiness. I don’t like a lot of people in the session, it messes with me. Maybe some red wine, if I’m in my feelings.

How important is social media for your career?
Nowadays, it’s detrimental. Especially if you’re not signed to major label because promotion is social media. When you’re signed to major labels, they make sure they promote for you in other areas, but it’s very serious for an independent artist.

Who’s your favorite person to follow?
Will Smith. Him or Halle Berry.

Who’s the most played artist on your phone?
They always change but right now, Summer Walker. Before that, it was probably 6lack.

Dream collab?
Drake. [laughs]

What’s the best encounter you had with a fan?
After I dropped “Love Without Ownership,” I had my first show out in Atlanta. After the show, this girl walked up to me. I didn’t even know her, she’s telling me basically her whole relationship. She’s like “I came out to see you because I heard your song and connected with it. Me and my ex went through this whole thing. Now I’m at a point in my life where I don’t want to prove anything, I just want to have a good time. It’s a milestone for me because I used to be so in love.” Gave me her story then asked for a picture. Ever since then, she’s been supporting me from afar.

What advice do you have for an aspiring Noel, someone who wants to do what you do?
Having fun #1. Not overthinking it because this is a very stressful industry. You get discouraged easily. Not watching other people, just going with your own flow. Everyone around you is going to see it too, when you’re unbothered and just in love with what you do. They see it and they’re like “damn.” It makes people want to fuck with you more too.

Anything else you want to let us know?
Make sure to follow me @noellofficial. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. I had to make a whole new one. We lost the password, can’t even remember the email. It was bad. It was my team, all the subscribers were lost.