Meet Noa Vlessing
“It can be scary, singing your truth. My lyrics are honest and truthful so that in its purest form someone else can relate to the experience. It isn’t about sugarcoating things. Part of music is its openness.”
Vulnerability is about putting every part of yourself on the line: your strengths, your challenges, your successes and your struggles.
Noa Vlessing puts her whole self into her music in the hopes of reaching people on an intimate level. “It can be scary, singing your truth. My lyrics are honest and truthful so that in its purest form someone else can relate to the experience. It isn’t about sugarcoating things. Part of music is its openness.”
The human experience is a shared one. Noa brings her experience to the table in her songs in the hopes of finding common ground with others. “I always write about personal experiences so that people can have that moment to connect and know that they’re not alone. Even just to a lyric, a word, a melody. That’s what drives me to keep going.”
It is in those intimate moments of understanding a shared experience that any feelings of nervousness wash away. “It’s like an adrenaline rush on stage. I get to share my songs with the spotlight on me in a silent room. It’s therapeutic. I feel the energy in the room and see people relating and really listening.”
With every nod of understanding received, or Instagram follower gained, Noa feels herself growing into the artist she is meant to be. “Every time I get a positive response to song or post, that’s a milestone for me. Every fan gained is a celebration.”
After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Noa took the leap and move to Los Angeles, where she has been creating music that is true to her message and her sound. “I just hope to share my music with the most number of people and have them hear it. I want to keep making music that is real to me, and growing sonically as an artist and writer.”
Noa takes what she learned growing up in a Jewish home with her on her musical journey. “I have memories of putting on performances with family at Shabbat dinners. I try to incorporate the Jewish values I was taught- of truthfulness and honesty, by being one hundred percent myself in every aspect of my life.”
Noa’s positivity keeps her grounded and mindful of the importance of the journey. “It’s about remembering that everything is a process and that it takes time, and knowing that everything happens when it needs to.” She continues to develop herself musically and will be releasing new music in the near future.
Noa Vlessing grew up in Toronto and graduated from Berklee College of Music. She now lives in Los Angeles and is writing songs, performing, and supporting the artist community. She has been featured on CBC Radio1, Rolling Stones Magazine and on Buzzfeed. Noa is excited for her upcoming release of her new songs “Casual” on September 7th and “Continents” in October!
Follow Noa’s journey on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube and give her music a listen!
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Jumans of Toronto is a window into the lives and passion of Jewish young adults making their mark in the world. A 50-part series, Jumans is inspired by Humans of New York. If you’d like to recommend someone awesome to be highlighted, please send an email to adina@thehousetoronto.com.
Written by: Adina Samuels