We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Wiarda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

Let’s call her Sally. Sally was my coffee shop manager in high school. Sally had this way of treating me like an adult but also acknowledging that I was still a kid. She led by example and while she would push me to be faster, be cleaner, be friendlier, she would also pull me- attract me- towards elevating my performance as well. She had this way of charming people into getting on board, while not for one second confusing anyone by making them think she was flirting with them. She motivated me simply by never sugar coating anything. If I was slacking, she called me on it without apology, and then would buy me a beer after work. She took no shit, no lip and no special privileges. She was in the trenches with us, leading with authority and humour. She always had time to listen to a rant, even if it was about her, and she truly listened. She has proven to be one of my biggest influences in terms of how I behave professionally, and she has shaped the woman I have become.

Natalie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

WIARDA is a melodic brainchild of Natalie Wiarda and company. It’s more or less an indie band who sings about breakups and sky daddys. She grew up in church, deep within the Jesus-is-my-boyfriend culture. This was more or less the perfect environment in which to constantly be singing, harmonizing and rhyming. One becomes honed in that which they constantly do. Even if you never signed up for it. Even if the trauma is real!

The emphasis of the music is placed on the lyrics and vocal delivery. She fancies herself a blend of her most intimate influences- Alanis Morissette meets Reinga Spektor. Provocative, random and unapologetic, the standing prayer is that the tunes feel relatable. It’s melancholy and moody. It’s difficult to describe sounds with words. Switching to first person here, I want you to feel seen, sentimental and distracted. I want you to think of the 90’s and wonder if I sound the same live. Spoiler, I sound better.

I’m pretty proud of my recent music video for my track “Rebound Jesus”. It speaks to the reality of growing up in Evangelical purity culture, with a wink and a smile. It’s sarcastic, choral and honest. It’s something I wish I could show my parents. They’re not dead, they’re just really sad that I’m not singing for God on a church stage.

Admittedly, I feel guilty that I am not doing that either. Thank you, stockholm. You’re a faithful friend.

While undeniably passionate about live performance and this project, I struggle to adapt to the way modern music is shared and received in 2023. I’m my own worst enemy, drowning in nostalgia re: CD jackets, fold-out music posters and the tangible experience of buying albums. I miss MuchMusic. I’m holding myself back by not playing the new game. I’m not sure I have it in me. Is it worth the views, to be subscribed to an app that gives nothing back?

I don’t generate a living off of this art. Not even close. It’s a passion project, it’s a hobby band. It’s a good time and I have a day job.

I like to believe I’m different and special. There’s a deep belief that I am unique. Like we all do. But If I’m not willing to play the game, I will indeed remain lost in the sea of over-saturation, licking my wounds and singing my songs to my community. I shan’t reach the masses, for gone are the days of discovery without a ‘social media strategy’. And I just can’t.

I’ll never stop writing. I just need to get better at the sharing.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Less stadium, more dive bar! I see a lot of people save hundreds of dollars to see big names and forget to/deprioritize seeing local acts. Go see a band you’ve never heard of and see what happens! And do yourself a favour and forget your phone! Being present for a well-executed show is paramount for the soul. Have listening parties- we’re no longer in a full-album release culture. Our attention spans barley exist, we can only handle 30 seconds of a single and it’s on to the next reel (doth I protest too much?) Listen to full albums, without distraction or interruption. Make it personal- chose a couple local bands and artists that you chose to support, and support them as you would tithe or give to charity on a monthly basis. Sponsor a local band, within your means!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This is a project for the de-constructionists. Those of us who got out and are now asking- now what? What is life post-cult thinking? Am I a good person, damaged by dogma? What is morality without a godhead? What do I do with all of this energy that used to go into pure, innocent unadulterated belief? It’s a process that I don’t believe truly ends, and we need songs that point how weird it was, how beautiful it was, and confusing it all is.

Of course, not all tunes speak to this. I also value absurdity and humour; it is key to the healing! Lest we be so serious!

It’s my mission through WIARDA to provide solace for the seekers, to put a melody to the melancholy of the wisdom path. It’s really not easy; cults are quite cozy and comfortable. To leave is to be exposed, to chose a different path can mean unforeseen familiar upheaval. In the process of the unlearning, so many other things come up: toxic relationship patterns, addiction, relapses into cult behaviour, unbelievable judgement towards self and others- I touch on all of this, and my hope is just that- that is brings hope. That the words and rhythms of the songs ring true to those who need to hear it. A new cathedral of catharsis.

(Also theres a bunch of poor-me love/angst songs because I’m a girl whose lived through her 20’s, c’mon)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wiardaband.com/
• Instagram: @givemenatwiarda
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiardaband
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wiarda2045

Image Credits
Kelli Rothwell Photography Lung Liu Photography