We had the good fortune of connecting with Nora Mae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nora, why did you pursue a creative career?
I didn’t really choose it — it’s always been how I moved through the world. Creating was how I processed emotion, how I made sense of what I felt but couldn’t say. I come from a lineage of performers, so in many ways it felt ancestral — like something already living in my bones. But over time, it became my own language. Music, especially, gave me permission to tell the truth in a way that felt both intimate and expansive. It’s not about performance for me — it’s about presence, and connection. Art has always been the clearest mirror I’ve had.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My music blends elements of jazz, pop, and cinematic storytelling. It’s sultry and theatrical, but rooted in emotional honesty. I’m deeply inspired by old Hollywood, cabaret, and French cinema — and I like to think of my songs as scenes, each one holding its own atmosphere. My upcoming debut album, Fin, is structured like a musical in acts — complete with an opening number, intermission, and final bows. It follows the emotional arc of choosing clarity over illusion, of letting go while still holding love.

What sets my work apart is the intentionality. Every lyric, every chord, every visual is chosen with care. I’m not trying to be loud — I’m trying to be precise. I’m proud of how emotionally honest this music is. It might be stylized and dramatic on the surface, but underneath, it holds grief, tenderness, surrender, and self-trust. It’s deeply human.

Getting here wasn’t easy — personally or professionally. It took years to find my voice — not just sonically, but spiritually. I’ve faced the usual doubts, financial stress, rejection, heartbreak — and some beautiful moments of divine timing too. The biggest lesson has been learning to trust that my path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. The more I surrendered control and embraced what made me different, the more things started to click.

What I want people to know is that this isn’t about chasing trends. This is about building a world — one that feels timeless, intimate, and a little bit fantastical. My hope is that the music makes people feel seen, held, and just a little more connected to their own truth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for the week, I’d want to bring them into my world — no touristy agenda, just the places I love and the rhythm of my life here.

We’d take my dog for a walk around the Silver Lake reservoir, grab lunch at All Time in Los Feliz, and probably end up at Erewhon at some point realistically. One night, maybe we’d do oysters and orange wine at L&E Oyster Bar. Another night, dinner at Santo and a nightcap next door at Bar Seco. Breakfast at Sqirl, and at some point, a jazz night at Hotel Cara or The Dresden.

Live music or comedy in general is always on the list — that’s the beauty of being in LA: the amount of talent you’re surrounded by and the endless opportunities to experience it.

And of course, we’d head to the ocean — it’s the most grounding thing for me. Being near the water, feet in the sand, sun on your face — it always resets something.

It wouldn’t be a strict itinerary — more a collection of places and moments that feel like home. That’s what I’d want to share most.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe so much to the people who’ve helped shape both the artist and the human I’m becoming. My grandmother laid this path long before I ever stepped onto it — her legacy continues to guide me in ways that feel almost cosmic.

My mom has always been my biggest champion. Her unwavering belief in me, her softness, her strength, her ability to dream with me even when things felt uncertain — she’s a hopeless romantic with a big imagination, just like me. There’s something so comforting about having a mother who sees the world as fantastical as I do. Her support has been the heartbeat of everything I’ve created.

My dad brings a quiet depth — he’s cerebral, pragmatic, and deeply wise. He’s played a huge role in helping instill practicality, trust in logic, and an ability to zoom out when things feel overwhelming.

Together, my parents instilled a beautiful balance: how to dream big while staying rooted, how to be both practical and expansive, how to trust myself and also trust the universe. That kind of support doesn’t just shape your career — it shapes who you are.

Website: https://noramaemusic.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/noramaeofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noramaeofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pSB_UeN-T1EVMabuaCsVg

Image Credits
Credits as follows — including their instagram handles.

Photographer: Nesrin Danan @blackprints
Hair & Makeup: Mary Kendall @marykendallll
Styling: Jourdan Kadow @jourdankadow & Hannah Harrison @hannahhxharrison

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.