What do you get if you mix a certain Marvel/Disney+ TV series with lyrics addressing how day to day life can feel like you’re stuck in a basement with life on a loop, and your mental health struggling as a result? The answer is the new single from Nadia Vaeh – aptly titled “Never Leave The Basement” – and its accompanying video. PopWrapped caught up with Nadia to find out how both the song and the visuals were created, and to get her thoughts on the importance of mental health being talked about rather than shied away from.

What is or was it about WandaVision that gave you the inspiration for this video?

The inspiration for writing “Never Leave the Basement” came from feeling like reality was very simulated in the pandemic. I feel like it was difficult for me to feel grounded and so much of life felt out of control – more than usual – so I found myself taking control of the things I could, like food…I slightly fell back into an eating disorder I had been recovered from for almost two years; “I eat the same thing every week.” I know for some of my friends, OCD tendencies we exacerbated as well. These were all things I was feeling/noticing before I began watching the series, and the more I thought about the song, I kept seeing myself traveling through different iterations of pain – decades – as I reflected on my journey through 2020.  

What did you make of the show itself? Would you consider yourself a Marvel fan and can you relate in any way to Wanda and her character arc/story? 

Everything we all went through and are still experiencing as a collective through the Covid-19 crisis was deeply traumatic and left us all with immense grief, even for those whose loved ones are all still with them. We have all lost something or someone we love through this time. I love Marvel and I love how this new series taps into the destructive power of grief unresolved.

Can you share a little about the creative process behind the song?

I am naturally an introverted person…the world can be kinda intimidating. I am a very sensitive and empathic person and I just get overwhelmed. The first lyric that came to me was: “Advertisements scroll-like pavement, max us out like credit cards – don’t pay them.” I feel like this was inspired out of the frustration with social media and the entertainment industry being so irresponsible. So many of my friends and colleagues are suffering – the pandemic only placed a magnifying glass on this – and much of that has to do with how we are inundated with billboards and ads everywhere telling us how to be happy or look. It can really create such a feeling of lack for so many, including myself. Too many people are underpaid and living off of credit and kindness. Unfortunately, in this world…those things eventually run out.

And what about the video?

This Wanda-Vision inspired musical montage depicts social anxiety felt by many perpetuated by social media, including myself, displayed across decades of imagery and emotion. Directed and edited by the multi-talented Evan Blum, the video shines a light on the darker side of the entertainment and social media industries. With fashion looks and set designs curated by the brilliant Lani Rose, my vision for the song was brought to life in such a way I thought could only exist in my dreams. We literally moved two full apartments of furniture, furnishings, and décor, into an abandoned Beverly Hills home in a 21-hour day full of fun and creativity, all on an atypically cold day for SoCal. It got as low as 34 degrees and was drizzling rain most of the day. The house had no functioning plumbing so we traipsed outside to a classy porta-potty in the front of the house. Hard work combined with a brilliant team of creatives made for such a beautiful video and a memorable day of creating.

What do you want those who hear the track and watch the video to take from it? 

I hope people feel less alone listening to this song. This is a really lonesome time in our world and things can feel pretty bleak at times. I want this song to inspire more connection; genuine human connection, not via a zoom or social media window. One of my major concerns as we move out of this time is the damage it’s done to our mental health. Social anxiety is already a massive issue for so many…after over a year of living life virtually, I can see this making matters worse. We are all in this as one!

Mental health has been a key issue over the past year due to the pandemic and the way in which all our lives have changed – how has the Corona Virus crisis impacted your own and given that it’s the topic of your new single, would you like to see more artists and those with a platform approaching and addressing the issue?  

I always love seeing artists take to their art to shine a light on the current state of our human condition. It’s so important we keep conversations alive on the topic of mental health, especially now. This pandemic has definitely enhanced my anxiety and depression but also given me new tools in which to work through those struggles, outside of song-writing and making music. Music still remains my best healer/teacher though.

Nadia is donating a portion of the proceeds of “Never Leave The Basement” to AKFSA – Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety, an organization dedicated to educating social anxiety sufferers, mental health professionals, family, and the general public about the diagnosis and treatment of social anxiety disorder. Check out the video for for single below and for more information on Nadia Vaeh, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.