Cookbook author becomes a singer Nadia Damaso: "It's about the fear of not being good enough"

She is the most successful cookbook author in Switzerland. Now Nadia Damaso is fulfilling a big dream and trying her hand at singing. The music video for her first single "Enough" is being released today.

Nadia Damaso, what is the difference between cooking and singing?

One comes out of the mouth, the other is made with the hands. But both are created in my heart.

You became famous as a cookbook author, now you're trying your hand at singing. Why is that?

I have never defined myself as a cookbook author, I am simply Nadia. And I do what feels right in life. Music came into my life early on and was one of my passions long before cooking. So I've known for a long time that I would express myself through music at some point.

How and when exactly did music come into your life?

I sang a lot as a child and started playing the guitar as a teenager.

You didn't have to learn the recorder?

Yes, I did. But I was never particularly fascinated by this instrument.

Tonight, Wednesday evening at 9 pm, you will release the video for your very first single entitled "Enough" on Instagram. What is your song about?

The song is about the fear of not being good enough. Growing up, I always felt misunderstood because I was different from my classmates. This gave me the feeling that I had to do something to be good enough and find my inner balance.

I also often thought that my peers couldn't see me properly. With the song "Enough", I want to encourage other people that we are all good enough - each in our own way.

How would you describe your music?

"Enough" is a pop song. But there are also songs of mine that go in the direction of folk or jazz.

What does singing do to you? How does it make you feel?

When I sing, I can express my inner world. Singing has a healing effect.

What goals do you want to pursue as a singer?

The plan is to release my first album at the beginning of winter 2023/24. Until then, I will release four or five more singles in the coming weeks and months.

Your new cookbook is also due to be published at the beginning of winter.

That's right. My next cookbook is called "Natural and simple - Nadia's 20-minute recipes". If everything works out, I'll be performing some of my songs live during the vernissage.

Will Nadia Damaso ever give a real concert?

That's a big dream of mine.

Do you listen to music while you cook?

While I'm working in the kitchen, I like to listen to relaxing music with depth. For me, cooking is active meditation. When I'm at the stove, I often feel like I'm immersed in a river. Sometimes it even seems to me that I forget to think and everything happens automatically.

What is your favorite song currently playing on the radio?

Oh, I often listen to music by artists who are little known. I recently went to a concert in Zurich by the US indie folk band Bon Iver. I don't particularly like music that is played in the charts.

Are there also female voices that fascinate you?

Funnily enough, I almost exclusively listen to music by men.

Aren't you afraid of critics saying: "Aha, now Damaso is singing too"?

No, I'm not afraid of that. The most important thing for me is that I am convinced of my work and that I enjoy it and have fun doing it. In the past, it was often different and I used to think: what do the others think? Now I know: just do it.

But of course I'm aware that the singing project puts me more in the spotlight - I was better able to hide behind the cookbooks. I admit, singing feels more naked.

Nadia Damaso is releasing the music video for her first single "Enough" on her Instagram account today, Wednesday at 9 pm.

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