Melina Nora set out from the valleys of her homeland into the wider world – from quiet villages to the vibrant streets of Zurich. There she found her place, between cobblestones and concert stages. Barefoot and open-hearted, she stands grounded yet light, her presence reaching all the way to the back rows. Her departure was driven by curiosity – a farewell for now, but never forever.
Now a Zurich-based artist by choice, Melina Nora continually returns through her music to the roots of her inspiration – to the valleys and mountains of Valais, where her stories and memories rest. These origins echo in her songs, not only in the dialect she sings in, but also in the poetic images she weaves – images that take us back to her childhood, and perhaps to our own.
In March 2024, she released her debut EP «Landtapu» on Mouthwatering Records – a poetic collection of songs in „Wallisertitsch“: honest, playful, and deeply moving. Together with musician and producer Nicolas Ruedin, she created a sound world that feels both grounded and weightless. Her songs speak of growing up, of holding on and letting go, of fine cracks and the quiet strength hidden within. She sings as she speaks – with wide-eyed wonder and a gentle attention to life’s small details.
The release of «Landtapu» marked the beginning of a musical journey across Switzerland. Around forty concerts have taken Melina Nora and her band to stages of all kinds – from a sold-out release show at Helsinki Club Zurich to the intimate Kellertheater Brig. They’ve since appeared at Zermatt Unplugged, at Kammgarn Schaffhausen supporting Sina, and at Kuppel Basel alongside Black Sea Dahu. The highlight so far: a standing ovation for a concert with choir in a packed church at the Winterthur Musikfestwochen. The stages may change, but Melina Nora remains – present, vulnerable, and deeply moving. With her homemade herbal tea at the merch stand, heartfelt stories between songs, her joy for life, and a warm voice that fills every corner of the room, she creates a rare and genuine closeness.
Melina Nora is not only a musician but also a collector of words and an onomatopoet. She plays with language, crafting lyrics rich in sound and meaning – verses where small, tender truths hide, reminding us that not everything needs to be spoken to be understood. Her songs bring us closer to the poetry of Wallisertitsch. Already, she’s working on the next chapter: «Momänt», her second EP, to be released on March 20, 2026. It continues what «Landtapu» began – Swiss German Indie-Popmusic for all who dream, seek, and long for.
