Drumming sensation, multi-instrumentalist, and all-around musical prodigy Nandi Bushell has taken a short break from crushing drum covers and joining icons on stage to deliver a haunting cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” Watch her rendition of the song below.
Bushell posted the clip to social media on Wednesday (August 7th), writing that she was so taken by the Downward Spiral cut, as well as the Johnny Cash version, that she felt compelled to put her own spin on it.
“I discovered the song ‘Hurt’ by Trent Renzor and Nine Inch Nails from the Johnny Cash version. It’s so powerful,” she stated. “Obviously, I can’t [relate] to the lyrics. But I wanted to create my own version to understand what makes it such a moving piece of art. Although it will never compare with the Nine Inch Nails or Johnny Cash version, I hope my take on ‘Hurt’ makes you hear this work of art from a fresh perspective.”
Bushell also explained that she used the song as an opportunity to experiment with her style of performance. “Experimenting… trying new ways of singing,” she wrote. Watch the results of such experimentation below.
Though she’s primarily known as a young drumming prodigy, “Hurt” isn’t the first time Bushell has stepped out from behind the kit. Previously, she jumped on the piano to sing Adele’s “Easy on Me” and picked up a saxophone to take on New Orleans Rhythm Kings’ “Tin Roof Blues.”
However, Bushell hasn’t abandoned the drums: This year has seen her play a medley to a packed arena, join Tom Morello at Download Festival, and even release a drumming-themed children’s book.
Revisit our Rookie of the Year profile of Bushell, as well as our list of 13 of her greatest musical moments to date.