Being stuck in a foreign country during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic was the inspiration for a Taranaki artist’s first song.

New Plymouth singer-songwriter Frau Knotz (Lauren Nottingham) released her new single Supernova in September and
says it’s a letter to herself at a time when she felt like she had lost everything.

“It was when I was living in Mexico City for a three-month lockdown. Mexico was one of the hardest-hit countries at the start of the pandemic.”

Initially, Lauren had moved there for six weeks to start rehearsal for a jazz quartet.

“I was about to board a cruise ship for onboard entertainment. It would have been my dream job.”

It was not his first experience in a quartet. She led a jazz quartet and performed in New Zealand, Australia and Northern Europe.

Three days after arriving in Mexico, the tour was canceled and Lauren says she found herself in a new country with a new language, no friends, no job, and no ability to go out and meet people.

“Luckily, I lived with a lovely Mexican family who taught me Spanish, showed me their way of life and cooked traditional Mexican food. They also had 27 cats. My Mexican mom was a real cat nut. “

Lauren says her musical training gave her the confidence to write Supernova and release her own music.

“I studied jazz at the New Zealand School of Music and after graduating at the age of 22 spent a working holiday in Berlin. I was also a member of the cathedral choir in Berlin.”

Berlin is where Lauren got her musical personality.

“In Berlin, when I worked in a bakery, they called me Frau Nottingham and Knotz is the nickname of my family.”

After returning to New Zealand from Mexico, Lauren says her musical journey really began.

“When I came back, I started working on Supernova and a few other songs that I plan to release.”

Supernova was recorded and mixed by Sam Johnson at Rhythm Ace Studios and mastered by Chris Chetland, she says.

“Originally this track was just the gist that I wrote with an 80s keyboard sound, but Sam worked his production magic to help me bring it into the realm of music. ‘electro, as I had imagined.

The clip was shot in New Plymouth by New Plymouth videographer Ben D’Ath who worked with the Drax Project.

“We wanted mirrors, sparkles and neon juxtaposed with darkness and urban grunge to give a Eurodance club aesthetic. I wanted the video to feel like I could be anywhere in the world .”

The video was shot in downtown New Plymouth, the 8-Ball Pool Club and a downtown parking lot.

The clip is available on YouTube and will also air on JuiceTV and MTV playlists.

“It’s very exciting for me. Because I’m a solo artist, I have to promote my stuff myself and get it picked up by JuiceTV and MTV is amazing.”

Supernova is one of three singles that Lauren has planned.

“Right now I’m working on two more songs, and the next video will celebrate the diversity of New Plymouth. I’ll be working with Erika Flash for this music video. I’m really looking forward to it. After I’ve released these two songs, I’m going to work on an EP.”

She thanks everyone who helped her get there.

“I’ve had a lot of support from family, friends and others in the area. I’m thrilled to share Supernova with them and everyone else.”

■ For more information or to listen to Supernova, click on here