Nathalie Dorra: a soul singer with a handball connection

Nathalie Dorra has one of the most famous soul voices in Germany and has worked for some absolute stars of the German and international music scene such as Xavier Naidoo, Jan Delay, Roger Cicero and George Michael. She speaks to ehfCL.com about some of the best moments in her career so far and her connection to handball.

ehfCL.com: You are one of the most well-known soul singers in Germany and since “The Voice of Germany” your music has been exposed to a wider audience. How has your life changed since the show?

Nathalie Dorra: There has indeed been a change since the show took place. I have gained a much larger media presence through it, I am now greeted by strangers on the street and I even get one or two compliments. Altogether you do feel more observed, but I still take the trash out without makeup on (she laughs). I’m honoured by all of the attention and at the same time it drives me.

ehfCL.com: You work in the studio with the Crème de la Crème of international music. You have worked with the likes of Randy Crawford, Jan Delay and George Michael. What were the most interesting encounters, the magic moments?

Nathalie Dorra:There are two encounters which I consider magical. My former band, Soulounge, had a gig in Hamburg as an opening act for James Brown. I had just arrived for our sound check and began singing, when I saw James Brown was there at the edge of the stage with his band and looking at us. I was shaking all over. At the end, the godfather of soul came over to me and said it was really good. I was on cloud nine for the rest of the night.

The second unforgettable meeting was at the German premiere of the film “Ali” when I sang alongside Udo Lindeberg. The great Muhammad Ali stood across from me and I was asked to sing him a song. Seeing him eye to eye was a truly magical moment.

ehfCL.com: An artist has to be in good condition to be able to perform on stage. What is your sport?

Nathalie Dorra: I run regularly. With running you train everything and can switch-off somewhat during it, it is my favourite sport.

ehfCL.com: You live in Lübeck, a city in the traditionally strong region of handball in Germany, where three teams that played in this year’s VELUX EHF Champions League are within a 100km radius. What experience of handball do you have?

Nathalie Dorra: My boyfriend loves handball. He comes from a handball family. Sometimes when his father gives one of his handball lessons, I give Ole (the boyfriend) some cheeky comments because courtesy of handball, his dad at 70, has a much tighter bottom than him.