Ninush
English music artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nina Lim, known as Ninush, is a British violinist. Gaining prominence through her live work alongside the band Black Country, New Road and other artists, she released a debut solo EP, The Flowers I See You In, on 6 February 2026.
Early life and education
Lim has stated that she started playing the violin at age seven,[1] and that she was given the childhood nickname Ninush or Ninusha by her Polish mother and grandparents; this comes from her first name and the suffix -ush or -usha, which she has said is used in Polish to make names "cuter".[2]
She studied classical violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama,[3] though has stated that she developed "crippling performance anxiety" during this time.[1] She gradually got involved with songwriting as a hobby,[2] creating a selection of songs for fun with producer Sam Tsang, who showed her music to others.[1] Friends of Lim encouraged her to release her music publicly.[2]
Career
While she was studying at Guildhall, she was asked to come with the band Black Country, New Road on tour,[3] filling in for the band's usual violinist Georgia Ellery in 2022;[4] these concerts, working with members of the Windmill scene, were Lim's first experiences of playing live music away from her usual classical setting.[3] Time in this scene aided her with her anxiety.[1] She became a familiar face among session musicians based in London,[5] working with artists Holly Humberstone, Little Simz,[6] Jockstrap, Geordie Greep, as well as more pop-associated acts Jade and Anne-Marie.[7] In 2025, she supported Shura at Bush Hall. She returned home after touring, spending a solitary period writing music.[2]
The Flowers I See You In
Lim released her first two singles under the moniker Ninush,[1] "The End" and "Stardoll", both of which came from her early songwriting sessions and live experimentation and referencing isolation following her time touring.[3] In November 2025, Lim released the single "I Don't Mind", announcing her debut solo EP, The Flowers I See You In. She remarked that it was "the closest [she had] come to writing a pop song".[6] Its video features the choreographers Foam Sweet Foam.[3] On 6 February 2026, the EP became the first release of The Bird Records, a record label set up by Black Country, New Road drummer Charlie Wayne,[5] as well as Mita De of the record labels Brownswood, Ninja Tune, and Polydor.[6][7] Lim drew the album artwork herself, and had her friend Katie Broderick convert it into a lino print.[2] The album largely features piano and string-led compositions,[5] and was produced by Sam Tsang.[7] Lim has cited the score of Poor Things, as well as the soundtracks to Disney films Fantasia and the original Alice in Wonderland as influences for the project. "Tormentor", a song on the EP from which it gets its name, covers Lim's grief for the loss of her father, as do other songs on the project.[2] Daisy Carter of DIY gave the album four stars, calling it "a project of understated beauty, both full-bodied and feather-light."[5]
Personal life
Lim's father died when she was at an early age.[2]