Sarah Nimmo is stepping out on her own. After a decade fronting her eponymous band Nimmo alongside childhood friend Reva Gauntlett, the singer is embracing a solo career with the release of her debut LP, How Can I Explain Myself? Available on all major streaming platforms from today, the record marks a new chapter for the London-based artist, who will bring the songs to the stage at her London headline show at The Lower Third on July 7.
Born from a period of uncertainty, excitement and self-discovery, the LP captures the often uncomfortable process of figuring out what comes next. Rather than dwelling in that unease, Nimmo channels it into groove-led production and euphoric dance music that reflects her newfound creative freedom. Drawing on ’80s synth-pop and ’90s Britpop influences, her powerful vocals sit alongside lyrics that grapple with identity, change and reinvention. As familiar foundations fall away, the record asks a central question: who is Sarah Nimmo?
Throughout her time in the band, Nimmo and Gauntlett built a loyal following, notably through Nimmo Curates, a series of all-female line-ups designed to champion women in music while promoting their album outside the traditional touring model. The initiative fostered a close-knit community that has remained firmly behind Nimmo as she embarks on this next phase. A sold-out East London show in February and the flood of support across her social media ahead of the EP’s release suggest that audience has followed her into this new era.
Speaking about latest single The Soul, Nimmo explains: “It’s a song about returning – and by returning I don’t mean backtracking, I mean coming back to a place of truth and meaning.” Accompanied by a Cronenberg-esque noir visual, the track explores vulnerability and accountability through a striking, emotionally exposed chorus. That spirit of self-examination runs throughout the EP, from the restless Night & Day to the dance-infused I Still Miss You, both of which linger on the ache of a lost relationship.
Ahead of the release of How Can I Explain Myself?, we caught up with Sarah Nimmo to talk pre-show rituals, her favourite queer spots in London and what comes next.
1. Who is Sarah Nimmo?
I am a solo artist from North West London!
2. Tell us the story behind your debut album, How Can I Explain Myself?
How Can I Explain Myself? is a collection of revelatory songs about myself and my journey towards becoming the person and artist I am today. Previously, I made music in a duo called Nimmo, naturally it was hard to entirely know who I was when working in such a close partnership for so many years. For the first time I am presenting a collection of songs that explore all the stages of self discovery that brought me here.
3. How can you explain yourself?
Through writing stories, poetry and songs, always! But I also have found so much power in the simplicity of writing very honestly. For years I held back the real hard truths of my experiences from my songs, finding myself tongue tied, paranoid and afraid. But the moment I remembered why I used to sit and write at the age of seven years old was the moment I stopped giving a fuck and just trusted in the art as self expression and healing. Honest storytelling and deep reflection. Being wholly present. This is how I can explain myself. Its opened doors to albums and albums ahead of me.
4. What is it about your single, The Soul, that best captures the heart of the album?
The Soul was a song born out of a hard landing. It was probably the first time I was really honest with myself in a big chorus lyric. Accepting my own faults as much as acknowledging the pain I felt. It felt like a really beautiful moment of truth on the record which tied so perfectly into why I was making it and what I wanted it to be.
5. Where’s the best place in London to listen to How Can I Explain Myself?
Driving! Running! Lying on your sofa on a Sunday, cooking in your kitchen on a Tuesday and marching to meet your mates any day, any time, anywhere!
6. What’s your favourite part about working on your own as opposed to in a band?
The therapy of it, the fact that going into my studio means total peace. That’s seriously no shade on anyone I’ve been in a studio with but those initial sessions where the ideas are born, for me, need to be isolated and quiet. I need to be able to go into a dream, flow state and simple knock about. Sit on the grass with my dogs, drink coffee, play a strange cover for three hours for no reason and then bam, something pours out and I’m focused and obsessed and fulfilled. There’s nothing better, seriously.
7. How did you notice your artistic process change as you went solo?
I think there was, at first, so much room for evolution and so much patience from myself. I never felt bad if an idea didn’t land or if I was too tired to make something. My own schedule was very freeing and really opened up the creative pathways in my head and heart again. Suddenly they were like huge valleys! And I was just so drawn to making music, no matter what the outcome. That is all very new that way of working.
8. What advice would you give to any artists thinking about pursuing solo projects?
Be 100 per cent honest all of the time in the art. Never do anything that doesn’t 100 per cent sit with who you are. Thats hard to do sometimes! The industry is a farce at the moment and I wont say that hasn’t gotten to me at times. But just honesty with yourself is enough to move something strong forwards.
9. How did it feel the first time you took to the stage by yourself?
Scary hahaha. I won’t pretend that I was billy big bollocks. I was shook. But by the end I loved it, maybe because it was ending haha. But theres been great times since then tho, really beautiful and euphoric moments on stage that feel so right and incredible.
10. What’s on your rider?
Vodka, lager. That’s about it at the moment.
11. Do you have pre-show rituals?
Yes, I like quiet time before stage, vocal warm-up and focus. Big cuddles with my backing singers. Done.
12. What are you hyper-fixated on at the moment?
An artist called Dick Jewel, Candi Staton, passport photos, Earth Song!
13. Where are your favourite queer spaces to party?
Adonis forever! The Cause forever! All run by my closest in personal life and wider community.
14. What song is stuck in your head right now?
Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have a Kiki.
15. What’s next for you?
Release my debut LP. My god! I’m already well into writing my second album so the summer will be much writing of new material and prepping for my LP headline show in London on July 7 in Soho. You should come ;).
Photography courtesy of Sarah Nimmo. How Can I Explain Myself? is out now. Listen here.
