Dirty rally cars, endless summers, small town gossip, and memories of youth painted all across the state, Nep’s love-hate tug of war with her home state Florida comes to a finale with the announcement of her debut album, Noelle (October 25)

Just days after the wave of “Biketoberfast”, Daytona (FL) born indie-pop artist, Nep has returned with yet another catchy fall single, “Florida Girl”. Having grown a nationwide cult following for her unique charm, sardonic humor, and brutally honest lyrics, Nep’s new release further fuels what fans expect to be their anthem for the rest of 2025.

With only a couple weeks left until what may be her most symbolic release to date, GR8T magazine sits down with Nep for a conversation on “Florida Girl” and her upcoming debut album, Noelle.

We’re thrilled to have the first Florida girl in our magazine! Take all the time you need to tell us about yourself, your music, love-hate relationship with Florida and “Florida Girl”!

Thank you for having me!!! I grew up in Central Florida, have family in North Florida, and went to college in South Florida, so I’ve definitely gotten the full Florida Girl experience the past 22 years, haha. I don’t really fit in super well in Daytona. I was super quiet all throughout grade school and thought that was who I was. Then I moved to college in Miami, and I was part of a music school where I fit in, like, so perfectly with everybody. I realized that I actually love talking to people, being loud, making new friends, and just how much I was missing out on all those years before!

I released my first EP “Nep’s Storybook” last year and I’m releasing my debut album “Noelle” now. Florida Girl is the closer on the album…it’s kinda all about getting called a crazy bitch, and maybe having to own it? The stereotype for Floridians is those articles that come out, like, “Florida man throws a gator because it looked at him wrong.” LOL. I think I always thought that was stupid, until I realized, oh, I am a little more likely to do some stupid shit than other people. A lot of the songs on the album talk about regret, and shame, and things I would change about myself if I could. Florida Girl is the opposite. I’m trying to own those mistakes I’ve made and understand that they’re a part of who I am. Whether I like it or not!

We heard you and Jake Sonderman, whose name we often see in your credits, go way back. Can you share more about him? Any lasting memories that made Florida slightly more bearable for both of you?

Jake and I met on freshman orientation day for our major…we both stayed behind after everybody had left the room because we wanted to see the mic closet in the studio. We were nerds, LOL! We’ve been best friends ever since. Since we were part of the same major AND best friends AND make music together, we’ve spent a lot of time with each other over the past four years. While I wasn’t the greatest at collaborating going into college, working with Jake has never been hard. We made this whole album together, and it’s been awesome to have someone who cares just as much about the music as me. Like, we’ll tell each other, “trust me bro, trust me,” and then we see if it works out–there were a lot of moments like that when we were making the album. With the breakdown at the end of Scar, I remember I showed up to his house and Jake was like, “Okay. I need you to bear with me. I did something at 2AM last night. Just listen with an open mind.” So I listened, and I remember freaking out because it sounded SO GOOD. This album is under my name, but it’s really me and Jake’s album. It wouldn’t be anything near the same without him.

As you’ve now moved to a whole new city, what’s exciting about LA, and is there something about Daytona that would stick with you no matter how far away you go from it?

I love how driven the people I meet in LA are. I think it’s a similar thing to a college campus, or, music school, where everybody’s trying so hard to get something to stick. That kind of environment gets me excited again. I did love taking my friends home from college and bragging about how big the beach is, but I don’t feel particularly myself here. I’ll miss my parents, that’s for sure!

For your fans awaiting your performance in LA, Boston, and New York, what can we expect from the tour? Any songs that you WILL be performing that we absolutely won’t want to miss?

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I’m bringing all of my best friends as my band, so if anybody saw us last summer, you know how crazy they can get on stage. We’ll be playing through the whole album, but if you like the songs on “Nep’s Storybook,” we’ll be playing some of those too, so don’t worry! I’m most excited to see how the crowd chants turn out in Florida Girl–I remember, the first time we played a headline show, I couldn’t believe that people knew the words to anything! I’m so so so sooooo excited to be playing live again.

Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to the fans who’ve stuck with you so far? And for those who just can’t wait, can you tease a line or verse from the album to get us even more excited?

Oh gosh, just, thank you so much for being here. I feel like I’m all over the place sometimes, musically and honestly just as a person, so it means the world to see some people still like me through every phase. I feel so so so so so lucky to have these opportunities, and I only have them because of those kinds of people! I’m just closing my eyes and hoping it doesn’t go away. There was a little album easter egg in there. I’m so mysterious and secretive. GR8T

Below are Nep’s tour dates

All shows will feature Abby Powledge as direct support. Tickets on-sale here.

Nep Tour Dates:

11/4 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

11/8 - Boston, MA @ The Red Room at Cafe 939

11/9 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

Connect with Nep:

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