Singer-songwriter Nina de Freitas joins Indra Raj live on The Morning Sound Alternative ahead of her November 6 performance at the Chautauqua Community House Series. Nina performs several songs, including her upcoming single “Madness Everlasting.” She discusses her Brazilian roots, her musical upbringing with musician parents, and how moving to Denver inspired a creative renewal after her former band ended. Influenced by artists like Jeff Buckley, Joni Mitchell, and Radiohead, Nina shares that she’s focused on releasing new music that reflects her authentic artistic voice. (Local Gold: 10/29/25)
Indra Raj: We have Nina de Freitas in the studio. I was saying her name incorrectly earlier—I’m so sorry about that! Welcome to the show.
Nina de Freitas: Thank you for having us.
Indra Raj: It’s great to have you. We’re going to jump into some music, and then we’ll chat after that.
Nina de Freitas: This song’s called In My Mind.
Indra Raj: Nina de Freitas here, live in the studio on The Morning Sound Alternative on KGNU. She’ll be performing at the Chautauqua Community House Series next Thursday, November 6th. Welcome again, Nina—it’s so nice to have you.
Nina de Freitas: I’m so happy to be here.
Indra Raj: And you have a small but mighty duo here today. Could you introduce your co-musician?
Nina de Freitas: Yes! This is my friend and collaborator, Galen Beck.
Indra Raj: Hello, Galen. What is Galen playing today?
Nina de Freitas: He’s playing electric guitar—ripping and shredding.
Indra Raj: Yes! Is this your usual setup, or something new?
Nina de Freitas: Galen and I have been playing together for about a year, and we’ve been doing this duo configuration since late summer. We’ve really been loving it—it’s been kind of a renaissance for me. It feels so right, and it’s just been fantastic to play together.
Indra Raj: How did it come together? Was it a “let’s jam sometime” moment, or something more intentional?
Nina de Freitas: We met in a really strange way. We were chatting, and I was saying I needed a bassist. Galen had randomly cold-emailed me because he saw me pop up on his Instagram offering my services as a bassist—he plays everything. I got this random email, and I didn’t know if he was crazy or not, but I was desperate, so I said, “I’ll take it!” That’s how we met. It ended up being fate—kismet, if you will—and it’s just been so great.
Indra Raj: That’s wonderful. We’ll talk about some of your new music later, but first, for listeners who may not be as familiar with you—what has your musical journey been? I know you were born in Brazil and came to Colorado at age three. How did that path lead you here?
Nina de Freitas: Yeah! I was born in Brazil, and we came to the U.S. when I was three. I’ve been in Colorado since I was 15, so I consider it home. I’ve been playing music my entire life—both of my parents are musicians, so it was inevitable. I’ve had different bands and projects over the years, but now I feel like I have a clear vision of what I want to do with my music.
I have a lot of songs I’m ready to release, and I’m excited to show who I really am as an artist. It’s been hard to get music out—I don’t have much online—but that’s going to change soon. I’m always writing. It’s a good problem to have.
Indra Raj: What do you think has shifted to bring on this new vision for your music?
Nina de Freitas: I moved to Denver. I’d been living down south—in the Colorado Springs area—for a long time, and I moved here in 2020. COVID coincided with the end of my old band, Nina and the Hold Tight. I took that time to get back to myself and start writing for me—not for anyone else.
I wrote a lot of songs that first year after going back to being a solo artist. It’s been about five years now, and I’ve had different bands and collaborators, but deep down I always knew what I wanted. I was just hoping to find people who could help bring those dreams to life. Meeting Galen has definitely been a huge catalyst for things starting to come together.
Indra Raj: We’re so fortunate to have both of you in the studio today. Let’s hear another piece of music.
Nina de Freitas: All right. This song is called Paragon.
Indra Raj: If you’re just joining us, we’re listening to Nina de Freitas live in the studio with Galen Beck on electric guitar. What was the name of that last song?
Nina de Freitas: Paragon.
Indra Raj: Right, you said that at the top. I hear so much in your music. Your father is a well-known Brazilian drummer and musician. How do influences from that part of your upbringing mix with what you’ve absorbed growing up in the U.S.?
Nina de Freitas: Yeah, my dad is definitely a force. I inherited a lot from him. But growing up here with my mom—she had the most immediate influence on my musical upbringing. She taught me everything. She has great taste in music and is an amazing singer. My voice is basically her voice—but hers is better.
Indra Raj: She must be incredible.
Nina de Freitas: Oh, she is. I think it’s just in the DNA—it’s in the blood. When I was little in Brazil, both of my parents were always writing music. They’d take turns using rooms in our tiny apartment—one in the bathroom, one in the living room. My mom told me that when I was a baby, I’d scribble on paper, bring it to her, and say, “I wrote a song!” She’d ask me to sing it, and I’d just make something up. I almost feel like I didn’t have a choice—but I love it, so it worked out.
Indra Raj: Absolutely. Would you say singing or guitar came first?
Nina de Freitas: Definitely singing. Piano was actually my first instrument—I started when I was eight. I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 18 or 19. Now it’s more or less my primary instrument, though I still write a lot on piano. I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t sing.
Indra Raj: Who are some of your favorite musicians?
Nina de Freitas: My number one all-time favorite is Jeff Buckley. I grew up listening to him—my mom is a huge fan. His music was always playing in our house, and when I started listening on my own in middle school, I thought, “Wow, my mom was onto something!”
I also love Radiohead, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young—he was another artist my mom played a lot—The Beatles and all their solo work, Kate Bush, and Fiona Apple. So many artists I’ve listened to throughout my life have definitely seeped into my own process.
Indra Raj: Do you intentionally draw from those influences, or does it happen naturally?
Nina de Freitas: I can look back on songs I wrote as a kid and see that I was always trying to find the more interesting melody or chord. When I was little, I’d sit with my little Casio keyboard figuring out how songs worked—how progressions fit together.
I never sit down thinking, “I want to write a song that sounds like Jeff Buckley.” Sometimes it just happens—or I’ll stop myself if it feels too derivative. I have so many voice memos labeled too Jeff Buckley! But I’ve learned to clear my mind and let whatever comes out, come out. If you overthink it, it stops being genuine.
Indra Raj: Beautifully said. So you’ll be performing at the Chautauqua Community House Series next Thursday, November 6th, along with Corsicana. What can listeners expect from your set?
Nina de Freitas: It’ll be a lot like what you’ve heard today—just Galen and me. I think we’re opening the night. We’ll play these songs and a few more—set the vibe and, hopefully, make everyone feel something.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. And you mentioned before we went on air that this next piece is actually your upcoming single?
Nina de Freitas: Yes! This next song is called Madness Everlasting. I recorded it during a residency in Golden with producer Mark Anderson, who’s worked with a lot of amazing Colorado artists. He invited me to record there last spring. I wrote and recorded this song that weekend, and we’re planning to release it in the new year.
Indra Raj: All right—let’s hear it.
Nina de Freitas: [Performs Madness Everlasting]
Indra Raj: It’s been such a pleasure to have you in the studio, Nina de Freitas—who will be performing at the Chautauqua Community House on November 6th. If listeners want to find out more about what you’re up to, how can they connect?
Nina de Freitas: They can Google me! But seriously, my website is under construction right now, so Instagram is the best place. That’s where I post updates about shows and releases—@ninadefreitas, spelled N-I-N-A D-E F-R-E-I-T-A-S.
