NINA LEILANI DEERING
Nov 7th 1985 - June 11th, 2020
Where to begin…
Nina Leilani Deering was not of this earth. Perhaps you’ve heard that said before about people who have come and gone like a rocket’s tail shooting across the sky, holding the night in their arms. That was Nina. She was our Dark Bush…and she was the brightest candle.
Below is a video of her singing this woman’s work on stages across the u.k., ireland and california. If you were lucky enough to be in the audience when she performed this…then you know…
On June 11th, Nina Died in a tragic car accident. She was driving from Sacramento back to San Diego to Stay with Natasha (Boss Bush) who was the last person to see her face and hear her voice on facetime just two hours before authorities responded to her solo-vehicle collision at 12:05 p.m. HER Death sent shock waves through the entire music community of San Diego and left so many heartbroken, including us.
despite the pandemic, we gathered and sang and danced at her funeral. it felt like the whole city came together to celebrate her and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to collectively grieve during a time when so many were unable to publicly mourn their dead. The entire ceremony was live broadcasted for everyone to watch from home…including Our leah (Heavy bush) who was stuck on the east coast, heartbroken and far away from us, due to the global health crisis travel bans. Here we are singing her song…
During the months following her death, we worked alongside her close friends to ensure her legacy would remain for all to behold and learn about.
a website was created posthumously and you can visit it here and learn all about her incredible legacy: www.ninaleilanideering.com
there is also a book of her original poetry and songs that we collected and transcribed from the various scribbles, clues and recordings she left scattered around. You can order a copy here.
Thank you to everyone of you who sent your condolences to us, whether by commenting on social media or a stamped envelope in the mail. We read every single word and it gave us great comfort and strength.
Long live Nina in our hearts forever.
Portrait drawn by Emma Hayden http://www.emmahaydenart.com/