Sometimes we discover our gifts early; other times, it takes years of tinkering before they truly feel like our own. NGEL’s path blends both: classically trained in vocals from a young age, she eventually fell for jazz, then taught herself production and embraced live instrumentation. The result is a personal spin on R&B and jazz fusion, one that weaves technique with heartfelt emotion.
In this interview, NGEL opens up about her creative process, shares how technology fits into her workflow, and offers a glimpse into what the future might hold for women in production.
1. What’s NGEL’s story? How did you get into music?
“I was classically trained since the age of 6 in vocals, and around the same age was when I fell in love with jazz. Through singers like Amy Winehouse and Etta James, I learned to incorporate both techniques in my artistry and production. I taught myself how to produce around COVID times, and it took me a few years to land on an R&B and jazz fusion style. I enjoy it most when my art includes as much live instrumentation as possible.”
Nicole Glazunov p.k.a. NGEL
2. What’s something about your process that would surprise people?
“I play guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, kalimba, and harpsicle. When creating ideas or beats, I like to play as many as I can, while also using my voice as an instrument.”
The self-titled NGel Sample Pack by NGEL
3. What would you say is your ‘secret weapon’ VST, and are there any tips you can give on recording/processing vocals that could instantly improve someone’s sound?
“One free plugin for your vocals that I love is ‘Nectar 3 Elements.’ It’s a great polishing plugin for main vocals (de-esser, compressor, reverb, etc.). A top tip I’d give is to double every main vocal and harmony to make it sound more full.”
Nectar Elements by iZotope
4. When your voice is the foundation of your sound, how does that shape your approach to production? What makes the human voice a more powerful tool than a synth or instrument?
“With the right techniques, we can bend the vocal cords in so many different ways that it becomes its own instrument. With your voice, you are fully in control of how the sound can bend and come out.”
Love Language by Nicole
5. Do you see AI as a tool that enhances or threatens human vocal expression?
“AI can be a beautiful tool to make our life easier. However, when we take the soul out of the music it becomes less emotive and more calculated. Music expression should always be natural and emotive.”
BACKYARD, a sample pack by NGEL
6. What do you think gives a sample longevity? What qualities ensure it still resonates years down the line?
“Real instrumentation can always be appreciated no matter the time period. Rather than following ‘trends’ with what melodies or vocal lines should be created, when the voice is projected with healthy technique, it can’t be denied either.”
ANGEL WINGS, BLUE and SIREN, sample packs on WAVS by NGEL
7. If someone used your sample in a way that’s completely unexpected and not quite up to your liking or standards, would you embrace it or feel disconnected?
“When you release samples or any art into the world, it’s both a personal and impersonal process—because then it is for the world to resonate with and interpret in their own unique ways. As hard as it might be for the ego to accept, a new perspective can always be appreciated.”
‘More Than Anything’, Nicole’s latest single
8. If you could change one thing about the samplemaking/music production business overnight, what would it be, and do you think the golden age of sampling is ahead of us or behind us?
“I would put more women in positions of power in the production world and music industry in general, as well as recognize and nominate them for more awards and opportunities. We are only now starting to acknowledge women’s contribution to the music industry (as songwriters and artists) the way we should, and even less so in the production world. However, I think more women are soon to be recognized leaders.”
HERMIT, a sample pack by NGEL
9. What’s next for NGEL? Where do you see yourself as a producer, songwriter, and artist within the next 3 years?
“As for production, I’d love to hear my samples used by artists that resonate with the R&B/jazz fusion world, and to hear my samples and beats interpreted in unique ways by other producers I look up to. As an artist and songwriter, I’d love to organize more live shows to present my new work—especially since it’s recently taken on a route of self-love and discovery, which are very meaningful to my life and would be best experienced in an energy-sharing space. My goal is to share my experiences of expansion and learned lessons vulnerably, as it makes music a more true and community-based experience.”
FAIRYLAND is NGEL’s latest release on WAVS
Music isn’t just about collecting plugins or trying to follow every new trend. It’s about experimenting with sounds, trusting your voice as a real instrument, and staying open to how others might reinterpret your ideas. Real instruments and honest vocals bring a warmth and character that technology alone can’t replace. When the process comes from a place of genuine passion, it resonates far beyond any single moment or style.
