Nell Mescal, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Maynooth, County Kildare, has embraced a journey of self-discovery and creativity, capturing the attention of music lovers worldwide. Recently, she has solidified her position in the music industry, having signed with Warner Music UK and embarked on a headline tour, marking her biggest performances to date.
Mescal’s latest release, the EP titled The Closest We’ll Get, debuted in October 2023 and showcases her evolution as an artist. This emotionally charged collection of songs reflects the end of a relationship, expanding her sound to include folk influences alongside the pop and indie tones of her debut EP, Can I Miss It For A Minute?. The EP not only highlights her growth but also reinforces her commitment to authenticity in songwriting.
From Vision Boards to Realities
In her own words, Mescal has always believed in the power of manifestation. “I have two vision boards in my room and I usually have to update them every year and a half,” she shared during a video call. “But a couple of years ago, when I was supporting Florence + the Machine and Dermot Kennedy, I was ticking so much off that I was like, ‘We need to chill!’”
Despite her attempts to take a step back, Mescal’s career has continued to flourish. Following her successful festival performances over the summer, she has connected deeply with her fans. During a recent show in Bristol, she was delighted to see three fans dressed in identical outfits inspired by her signature red top.
Mescal’s journey began in her hometown of Maynooth, where she started singing in the Speak Up Sing Out choir and crafting songs at a young age. At 14, she faced a life-altering diagnosis of Scheuermann’s kyphosis, a spinal curvature requiring surgery. This experience led her to focus on songwriting, culminating in her first single, Missing You, released in 2020 when she was just 17.
Songwriting as a Form of Healing
As she reflects on her journey, Mescal acknowledges the importance of her time spent recovering from surgery. “I’ve got no idea what would have happened if I hadn’t had that much time to myself,” she mused. This introspection has fueled her songwriting, allowing her to relate profoundly to her audience.
“My lyrics resonate with people because they are intensely personal,” she explained. On her new EP, she engages with her emotions as if having a heartfelt conversation. This connection is evident in tracks like Thin, a standalone song released as a demo in April. In it, Mescal confronts her body image struggles with raw honesty.
“I genuinely threw my phone across the room [when I wrote it]. I was like, ‘I just don’t need to write a song like this,’” she recalled. “But I feel like that’s when you have to dig a bit deeper.”
Mescal’s willingness to confront her vulnerabilities has endeared her to fans, many of whom share their personal stories with her after shows. “I don’t want to trauma dump on you, but this song really means this to me,” they often say, and she welcomes such conversations.
“Surround yourself with thoughts that are useful because the rest of it is just noise and a load of shit,” she advises, highlighting her commitment to promoting kindness and compassion, especially among her young followers.
While she is not the only member of her family in the public eye—her brother, Paul Mescal, is known for his roles in acclaimed projects like Normal People—Nell has learned to navigate the complexities of fame. She acknowledges her brother’s experiences and the scrutiny that comes with public attention, using it as a learning opportunity.
Cultivating a Supportive Creative Environment
To further her artistic development, Mescal collaborated with producer Philip Weinrobe on her recent EP. She describes him as “an absolute wizard; a joy,” who encouraged her to trust her instincts during the recording process. The team refrained from listening to their work until it was complete, fostering a sense of collective creativity.
“This allowed for so much more kindness,” she explained. “If you’re in a studio and trying to record a vocal, you just keep going and going because something isn’t perfect. Whereas if you’re like, collectively that felt good and it was really fun, then it’s probably gonna sound good.”
As she continues to grow as an artist and a person, Mescal is excited about the future. She aims to create music that reflects her authentic self and draws inspiration from the connections she builds with her audience. “Over the past year and a half, my goal has been to really think about how I make the songs as ‘me’ as possible,” she said.
With her latest EP, The Closest We’ll Get, already making waves, Mescal is poised to explore new musical directions while remaining grounded in her values of empathy and kindness.
Nell Mescal’s journey serves as a reminder of the power of genuine connection in a world often overshadowed by negativity. As she embarks on this exciting chapter of her career, her vision boards reflect not just her aspirations, but also her unwavering commitment to uplift those around her.
