Neda’s ex-boyfriend asked her not to write a song about him after they broke up. Fast forward a year, and the Lewisham-based singer-songwriter has written a whole EP, And Then Came September, about the breakup, with ethereal lead single “Leave” literally seeing her closing the door on the relationship. “By the time that we ended, it was already too late,” she says, giggling.

Heartache has long been foundational to the 25-year-old indie artist’s musical journey. While studying songwriting at London’s Goldsmiths University, Neda fell deep into a rabbit hole of yearning country music classics that had been written over half a century earlier. “I came across a song called ‘Make the World Go Away’ by Hank Cochran and I just became really obsessed with that era of country music,” she recalls. “A lot of it is about pining over someone who doesn’t want you, and I just really connected to it. I found it interesting how something that was written over 50 years ago is still relevant today. I think that was pivotal in my career.”

Completing her trifecta of musical influences are the pop sensibilities of her older sister and the Farsi-language classics of her Iranian heritage. She’s particularly inspired by her mother, who was a classical Persian vocalist. “I think she could’ve done really well with music, she’s got a much better singing voice than me,” Neda says humbly. “But, in Iran, it’s illegal for women to sing in public and appear without a hijab. Even though she lived in London, she wanted to go back there to visit family, so her sacrifice was just to not pursue music.” 

Those same restrictions apply on Neda, too. “[Releasing music] is a bit of a risk, but since I’m raised in London, I don’t have the same attachment to [Iran as my mother],” says Neda, emphasising that she was still inspired by Persian singers like Mahasti, ⁠Hayedeh and ⁠Googoosh. “I haven’t been back since the 2009 Green Movement protests. There was actually a protester who had the same name as me – Neda – who was shot and killed while protesting. So, yeah, I was happy to not go back.” 

All of these influences are packaged in Neda’s uniquely haunting vocal timbre and unmistakably south London delivery – a musical identity that she credits Lily Allen with helping her to discover. “I used to force my low larynx and sing in an American accent,” recalls Neda. “But Lily Allen inspired me to embrace my British accent, she’s just so ultra-specific with her songwriting. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be singing.” 

Below, Lewisham singer-songwriter Neda tells Dazed about her dream collab, incorporating Farsi instruments into her music, and how the music video for her new single, “Surface”, is a comment on women’s rights in Iran. 

How did you first get into music?

Neda: Some of my first musical memories are my mum singing around the house and at family gatherings. But I didn’t pursue music until I was 16. I was studying quite academic A-Levels and my sister came across this article in the paper about a music scholarship. We rang up, I was able to apply and that’s how I got into studying songwriting. 

What were the A-Levels before that then?

Neda: History, computing… Computing didn’t go down well [laughs]. In the end, I’m quite happy I ended up choosing subjects that I didn’t like because I was like, ‘You know what? I just want to do what I want to do’.

Given your mother was a singer, were your family encouraging of you doing music?

Neda: I think there’s a misrepresentation that Middle Eastern households and families just want you to pursue academic subjects. I feel really privileged that a lot of our family were supportive of hobbies. They just believed in me.

Do you incorporate any Farsi influences in your music? 

Neda: We recorded Persian instruments like santor and tombak to add a more Middle Eastern feel to the arrangements. I think that really lifted it. You can hear it on ‘Head Over Heels’ – the first verse is just guitar, vocals and tombach. I’m fluent in speaking Farsi, but I can’t really read or write, so I write better in English. For future projects, I am exploring switching to Farsi for, like, a line. 

What can you tell us about the new video for ‘Surface’?

Neda: Growing up, there was this constant dichotomy of having the creative freedom as a woman in London, and obviously my background being Iranian. There are certain rules and regulations that women have to abide by in Iran. They can’t go to a football match and watch football live, they can’t sing in public. So, for ‘Surface’, we filmed it at Clapton Football Club, which is a really progressive football club. In Iran I wouldn’t be able to do that, so I think it was quite relevant to bring those two worlds together. 

Who would be your dream collab? 

Neda: Julia Jacklin, she’s my favorite singer-songwriter. Her melodies are just so broad, so unique, and her voice is impeccable. She’s my fave. 

If an alien came to Earth, what three albums would you show them?

Neda: Definitely Julia Jacklin Crushing. Roy Orbison is one of my favorite artists of all time, he was an incredible songwriter. So, Roy Orbison Sings Lonely and Blue. I love Connie Francis. She passed away this year and it was really heartbreaking, so I have to mention her. It’s a compilation album, but Connie Francis Gold – 50 of the most incredible songs ever. I just rinsed that album at uni over and over again. Even on my first EP, I added a key change on ‘To Be Loved By You’ because of Connie. 

“Surface” is out now.