NO NA on Softness, Searching, and Trusting What’s Within
By. Alicia Zamora
In a quiet, reflective conversation with Alicia’s Studio, NO NA opened up about the moments of uncertainty, connection, and softness that define both their music and their bond as a group. Comprised of four women from Indonesia and signed under 88rising, NO NA spoke less about ambition and more about trust—how learning to listen to one another has become central to who they are and how they create.
The group discussed their single “the one” as a song born from stillness rather than certainty. When first hearing the demo, they were drawn to its honesty and sense of doubt, recognizing emotions that mirrored their own experiences as a group. They shared how the song reflects periods of feeling lost or questioning their purpose, and how those moments pushed them to stop searching outward for validation. Instead, they learned that clarity often arrived when they trusted their instincts, their chemistry, and the unspoken understanding that emerges when they share a room together.
Softness came up repeatedly throughout the conversation—not as fragility, but as intention. In an industry that often rewards speed and volume, NO NA described wanting “the one” to feel like a pause, a song meant to be sat with rather than rushed. They connected this choice to Indonesian storytelling traditions that leave space for emotion, allowing listeners to feel rather than be directed.
The group also spoke about the visual world surrounding the music, particularly the retro-inspired video for “Alone.” With its late-night television glow, empty spaces, and playful yet lonely atmosphere, the video captures the emotional in-between: longing mixed with comfort, solitude softened by humor. NO NA explained that subtle camp and lightness were essential, not to undercut vulnerability, but to make it more accessible. For them, laughing and feeling deeply are not opposites—they coexist.
Throughout the interview, each member expressed a different relationship to the idea of “the one,” whether it be peace, connection, or devotion, revealing the emotional range each voice brings to the group. Together, NO NA presented themselves not just as performers, but as a collective shaped by intuition, patience, and the belief that the answers they once searched for have always lived within them.
Diving In
Alicia: For readers meeting no na for the first time, how would you introduce yourselves — not by genre or titles, but by who you are together?n
NO NA: We are a new girl group under 88rising consisting of 4 women from Indonesia, who together thrive to carry pieces of from where we’re from to the world through our love for music and performing.
Alicia: “‘the one’ feels like the moment when the world goes quiet and you finally hear your own thoughts. What were you hearing in yourselves while making this song?
NO NA: When we were given the demo of this song. We instantly fell in love. We heard uncertainty, but also honesty.
Alicia: The song centers on searching — calling a psychic, waiting for signs. When have you learned that the answer you were looking for was already inside you?
NO NA: There were moments during our journey as a group where we felt lost, stuck, and forgot what our purpose was with being in this group. We kept looking outward for signs that we were “doing the right thing.” But along the way we realized that the clearest answers came when we listened to ourselves, by trusting our instincts and chemistry, and the feelings we had whenever we were in a room together became more powerful than any external sign.
Alicia: There’s a softness in this track that feels intentional. In a space that often pushes artists to be louder or faster, why did it feel important to let this song breathe?
NO NA: Because softness can be powerful. We wanted the song to feel like a pause, something you sit with, not rush through. Indonesian music and storytelling often leave room for feeling and letting the song breathe felt like honoring that.
Alicia: The idea of ‘the one’ can mean love, but also purpose or belonging. What does ‘the one’ mean to each of you right now?
Shaz: Peace
Baila: Connection
Christy: For me, “the one” is about having my heart set on someone I truly adore, choosing them and hoping that they become my “one.” But I also believe everyone defines “the one” in their own ways.
Esther: Peace
Alicia: The retro visuals feel playful but also lonely — late-night TV, empty spaces, waiting for connection. What emotions were you hoping people would feel watching the video Alone?
NO NA: We wanted people to feel both nostalgic and that bittersweet mix of longing you feel at night, but also comfort in knowing you're not the only one feeling it.
Alicia: The psychic hotline suggests looking outward for certainty. Why did that metaphor feel honest for the story you wanted to tell?
NO NA: Because we all do it, we look for signs, answers, reassurance from everywhere else other than ourselves when deep down, we know exactly what we feel or the answer.
Alicia: Humor and camp show up in the video in subtle ways. Why was it important not to take this story too seriously?
NO NA: Humor helps soften vulnerability, letting people relate without feeling pressured. Especially when the four of us are together, we can't stop joking around and tend to not take life too seriously on most days. It's surely okay to laugh while still feeling deeply.
Alicia: Each of your voices carries something different emotionally. What does each member bring to ‘the one’ that couldn’t exist without them?
Shaz: Soft breathiness
Baila: Attitude
Christy: I think I naturally bring a sense of softness to “the one.” I try to add emotional warmth and sensitivity that helps balance the group and create a more intimate feeling.
Esther: Strength
Alicia: There’s a chemistry in your harmonies that feels lived-in, not forced. How did your bond shape the emotional tone of this song?
NO NA: Our trust in each other made it easy to be honest. We're like sisters already, we spend almost everyday with each other as we also live together. That closeness naturally shows up in how we sing together.
Alicia: Being part of no na means constantly growing together. What has this group taught you about yourselves as individuals?
Shaz: I've learned to lean on others in hard times
Baila: The meaning of sisterhood
Christy: Being part of no na has taught me to trust myself more. I’ve learned that I don’t have to grow alone, and that my voice and individuality still matter within a group.
Esther: I've learned that it's okay to ask for help and it's okay to let others help you. It's not easy to let people in, but these girls make it fun, and now I can't imagine being here without them
Alicia: You carry Indonesian identity into a global space. When you’re far from home, what helps you stay grounded in who you are?
NO NA: By always reminding ourselves of the “why” behind being in this group is important. One of the biggest goals is to put Indonesia on the map. Beyond that, remembering how hard we’ve worked from the very beginning to build this group helps keep us grounded in who we are and where we came from.
Alicia: Being labeled ‘the first’ comes with weight. How do you honor that title while still giving yourselves permission to evolve?
NO NA: Being labeled ‘the first’ is an honor, but it’s not something we carry alone. We honor it by staying grounded – remembering where we came from, the culture that shaped us, and the people who supported our journey from the very beginning. At the same time, we give ourselves permission to evolve by staying curious. Growth means exploring new sounds, perspectives, and experiences, while staying true to our identity. For us, evolution does not mean leaving our roots behind; it means letting them grow with us.
Alicia: If someone discovers no na for the first time through ‘the one,’ what do you hope they understand about you beyond the sound?”
NO NA: Beyond the sound, I hope they understand that we’re all about being raw and as honest as possible. ‘The One’ is a reflection of how we feel as human beings, who are still constantly trying to figure things out. We want our listeners to feel our sincerity, our vulnerability, and that we are not pretending to have everything figured out. And that’s okay.
Alicia: Thank you for sharing space with us. What would you like to say to your fans — and what can we look forward to as you step into the new year?
NO NA: Thank you so much for supporting us. We appreciate every one of you. Please stay tuned with no na because we've been working really hard!
