Inside the soul of an artist who’s rewriting what R&B means in 2025.
In the quiet hours of the night, when the rest of the world fades, Nardia Brancatisano writes from the edges of her heart. Her pen doesn’t just trace lyrics; it bleeds truth. Out of those late-night pages came “Hold On,” a song that captures what so many are afraid to admit: that healing isn’t linear, and strength can be whispered. Take a listen below.
Born and raised in Australia, Nardia’s voice carries both the weight of experience and the light of redemption. From her gospel beginnings to the international stages of Memphis, where she earned a Top 5 placement at the 2025 International Blues Challenge, she has always sung from a place deeper than ambition: a place of purpose.
A Song for the Broken and the Brave
“Hold On” isn’t a track designed for playlists; it is a spiritual exhale. Built on a heartbeat of soulful R&B and the raw edge of jazz phrasing, the song unfolds like a conversation between courage and despair.
Working alongside Mat Robb and Choi Productions, and guided by Grammy-winning producer Boo Mitchell at Royal Studios, Nardia created something cinematic yet intimate. “We wanted the production to disappear behind the emotion,” she explains. “It had to feel like you were hearing someone’s inner monologue, not just a melody.”
That intention defines every note. Her tone shifts from a near whisper to full-bodied release, creating a soundscape that feels almost physical, like the pulse of someone learning to hope again.
The Visual: Dancing Through the Pain
To bring the message to life, Nardia turned to movement. The accompanying music video features dancer Izzy Lockett, who delivers a visceral performance as a young woman auditioning before unseen judges. The choreography mirrors the song’s emotional core: the struggle to be seen and the beauty of persistence.
“Watching Izzy move was like watching grief itself,” Nardia recalls. “She made the invisible visible.”
The video’s simplicity amplifies its power. Every frame is stripped to its essence, allowing the viewer to feel rather than observe. It is art born from empathy and honesty, two qualities that define Nardia’s creative world.
From Melbourne to Memphis and Beyond
Though her sound is rooted in blues and soul, Nardia’s reach extends far beyond genre. She has shared stages with Russell Morris and Tex Perkins, performed intimate sets in the VIP lounges for Beyoncé and Adele, and starred in the sold-out production Eulogy for a Genius, a tribute to Ray Charles.
Her time recording and performing in the United States, particularly in Memphis and Nashville, reshaped her perspective. “Being there felt like tracing the footsteps of giants,” she says. “It reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place, because it tells the truth.”
That truth now lives inside every note of “Hold On,” her most vulnerable work to date.
The Woman Behind the Voice
For all her success, Nardia remains grounded in purpose. Her mission is to create music that heals and connects. She calls her artistic philosophy “Own Every Scar,” which also serves as the title of her forthcoming album.
“It’s not about being perfect,” she says. “It’s about owning your story, every fracture and every flaw. That’s what connects us.”
In a music landscape often driven by image and speed, Nardia stands apart. Her career is not a sprint but a conversation. She is building something enduring, one truth and one song at a time.
Listen to NARDIA
Stream: “Hold On” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and all major streaming platforms.
Follow NARDIA:
Website: www.nardia.com.au
Instagram: @nardiamusic
Facebook: facebook.com/nardiamusic
YouTube: youtube.com/@nardiamusic
Spotify: Listen to NARDIA