Nani Porenta
Nani Porenta is a Scotland-based musician and songwriter whose work blends introspection with an increasingly experimental approach to sound. Her practice spans indie, folk, and more textural, genre-fluid territory, with a growing focus on guitar-driven arrangements and sound design.
Live, Nani is moving towards more immersive and spatial performances. Following a sold-out quadraphonic show at the Pianodrome in Edinburgh and a recent support slot for Smerz, her sets are becoming increasingly dynamic, blending intimate songwriting with textured, exploratory sound.
What has previously been your approach to guitar?
Mostly using it as a straightforward songwriting tool, relying more on harmony than texture. Or as a session musician, where I wasn't really pushing it too far creatively.
How do you use the SubSix and SubPro?Â
Both in the studio and on stage. I use the SubSix in the studio to really hone in on the sound of the guitar and create wide stereo images. On stage, I use the SubPro mainly to split the high and low strings.
What influence has the pickup had on your creative process or workflow?Â
It's had a big influence on both my songwriting and production. It's made me think of the guitar more as a melodic tool than a rhythm instrument, with different textures that can interact with my vocals. Every string gets its own voice and role.
What have been the surprising discoveries in the time that you've been using it?
Just how detailed the string separation is. It's genuinely impressive how much control that gives you.
Do you plan on using it in any other projects and if so what ideas to you have for its future use?
Definitely. I use it on stage all the time now, and I keep coming back to the Subsix in the studio. In that setting I mostly use it as an inspiration tool. If it's the jumping-off point for a song, it often ends up shaping the core of the song and its production.
How do you use it in a live setting?
At the moment I'm using the SubPro to create a stereo image and separate the high and low strings. I also plan to start using the Subsix in my quadraphonic setup.
What is your favourite gear? Hardware, software, pedals, anythingâŚ
MIDI Guitar, Helix Stomp, OP-1, SP-404, and my Fender Mustang
What in your current arsenal has been the most inspiring/interesting to use with the pickup?
Probably the MIDI Guitar plugin and my Helix Stomp.
How has having multiple guitar outputs changed how you use these?
Mostly by letting me put different effects on each string and create really wide stereo images.
What equipment would you most like to see developed as a companion to Submarine Pickups?
A plugin that lets you build FX chains for each string with flexible routing options, rather than having to create a separate input channel for each one. I know that's partly DAW-dependent though â Ableton sadly doesn't support multichannel plugins. Get on this, Ableton!!
Have you got any tips for other Submarine users?
Don't overthink it. Let your ears guide you and have fun with it.
What are you currently working on?
New demos! I took some analogue gear on a wee camping trip around Scotland recently and recorded demos in my car, which felt really inspiring. I've also got some new music coming out very soon, so I'm busy getting everything ready for that.
What are you listening to at the moment?
ML Buch, Blood Orange, Beach House, and Smerz.
Nani can be found on instagram @naniporenta head to naniporenta.com for forthcoming dates and further info. You can also watch Nani using Submarine pickups over on our SubMariners page here
A Deep Dive With... is an ongoing series where we interview Submarine users, explore their creative process, share tips, and hopefully inspire you to discover new ways to make the most of Submarine's creative potential.
Find similar articles
deepdive
