Jakarta-born, LA-based singer-songwriter, and producer NIKI crafts music with a heartfelt and emotional core, consistently deliver intricate soundscapes that try to make sense of big feelings and the catharsis of allowing yourself to express them freely and vulnerably.
Aiming to be emotive and unapologetic all at once within her artistry, NIKI hopes that each note resonates with listeners, prompting them to see and recognise bits of themselves and their experiences.
In conversation with Earmilk , she delves into her new live album Live at the Wiltern and the experience of putting it together, her sonic evolution and upcoming ‘Nicole World Tour’, among much more.
1.What’s the message/inspiration behind Live At The Wiltern?
I have always admired artists who put out live albums. I think there's something to be said, as a listener, about being able to re-experience songs you've come to know and love in a new light. There are so many elements in a live album that allow something that's already familiar to feel novel again. The buzzing energy of the room, the sounds of the crowd, the music sounding slightly different thanks to a live band adding depth and dimension, the artist's choice of delivery or phrasing that isn't how it is on the record, and so on. I wanted my fans to be able to re-experience my music in that way. Given that it was my first "homecoming" show in Los Angeles, too, it felt like a no-brainer to just press record and see what it could become. The show itself ended up being quite emotional because of what it symbolized for me on a personal level, and conveniently, it ended up being one of my favourite shows to date. So it was perfect.
2.This is also your first ever album with live recordings- what was the experience of putting that together?
Putting a live album together was interesting because unlike a studio record where I am deeply entrenched throughout the entire process from top to tail, this was a much more hands-off process for me. It sort of felt like I had fulfilled my part of the group project when I played and performed the show, and then from there, the entire recording was handed off to my music director Max Mitchelland mixing engineer Paul David Hager who essentially brought the record to completion and made the live recording go from what was basically a massive wall of sound to a beautifully mixed, exciting way to re-experience my discography.
3.How has your sound evolved over time and where do you see it going from here?
I started in this business relatively young, at eighteen. The start of my career was definitely saturated with a lot of questioning, self-discovery and navigating my way through different styles and genres to figure out what really fills my cup as a musician, writer and artist. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, it had always been me and my guitar, penning songs with more folky sensibilities in my bedroom. And then I discovered a love of producing, which is around when I started experimenting with pop/R&B during one's classic coming-of-age, fresh-out-of-high-school renaissance. I was an angsty teenager who so badly wanted a fresh start, and voila, thankfully so, NIKI was born!
I think now at 24, I finally have a better sense of what musically inspires me and tugs at my heartstrings time and time again, which I have learned is what I place the most value on: the emotional heart of things. I would say the best example of what that currently sounds like to me would be my latest album, Nicole. Making that record salvaged my joy in countless ways, as music was starting to feel stale and confusing for a time. It was the much-needed, decisive pivot in a direction I always felt called out to me while I was busy wading in different waters. So I guess from here, you'll see me with my guitar a lot more, writing music that feels organic and honest, both instrumentally and lyrically.
4.Speaking of your sound, are there genres or styles you’d love to experiment with in the future?
I'd love to experiment with them all, to be honest! As a matter of fact, if there's anything to take away from my discography, it's that I'm quite interested in every style of music and quite enjoy sprinkling little bits of this and that and baking it all into one piping hot pie. I'm not sure if I believe genres are even that relevant anymore. I feel what's more important nowadays to listeners and artists alike are the feelings music can elicit or evoke when you sonically paint certain scenarios. I guess that's a tedious way of saying the "vibes" matter more than the genre, at least to me personally. Like for example, sitting at a coffee shop, smoking a cigarette as you eavesdrop on conversations all morning. That sounds like a song I already know, somewhere, somehow. I'm not really thinking about genres or styles as I'm imagining that. I just feel a feeling.
5.You’ve also dabbled in acting a bit, is that something you’re keen to expand on? Are there any other interests besides music you’d love to try out or learn?
Absolutely! Acting has always been an art form I've deeply admired. It feels like a sister language to music; the other side of the same coin. They both essentially celebrate and examine what it means to be human, which is a subject I personally am very much intrigued by. I'd love to act more in the future when the opportunity is right! Other than that, I also would love to take up painting or ceramics, even. I don't believe I have a good eye for it, but I'd love to learn and try!
6.Who inspires you both professionally and on a personal level?
I have always looked up to artists like Joni Mitchell and Stevie Nicks, who in my eyes are so resilient and so unapologetic about their art and self. I'm also very inspired by Mitski, currently, who you could also say the exact same things about. I deeply admire Michelle Yeoh, who is a total class act and a shining beacon of light and hope in the Asian community today. There are many, many women I'm inspired by both on a professional and personal level, but these are just some, to name a few.
7.You’ve also announced a world tour. Besides getting to perform and see your fans, what’s your favourite part of touring?
Apart from getting to see and meet the fans and playing my music, my favourite part of touring is getting to see the world (and eat my way through it). When I was little, I used to dream of being able to travel the world someday. Touring is this incredible opportunity where travel and music get wrapped up into one very niche, very cool experience that not everyone gets to say they've had. I feel extremely privileged and lucky to be able to do it as part of my job!
8.Are there any bucket list countries or venues you’d love to perform at?
I have always dreamed about playing a show in London, so that would 100% be a bucket list destination for me. As far as dream venues go, one that comes to mind would probably be the Greek Theatre in LA, and maybe the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as I went to university there and attended many shows as a student. Also, it goes without saying, but JiExpo Hall in Jakarta would be another dream venue as I was born and raised there, and it would be the full circle of full circles!
9.Finally, if you could think of one phrase to describe you and artistry what would be and why?
I guess it would be… always getting to the honest, sticky, emotional nitty gritty of it all. That's truly the bread and butter of my song writing and music. As a kid, I gravitated towards music in the first place because I had all these big feelings that felt seen and heard and acknowledged and even processed, when I listened to my favourite songs. I think music allows us to hold space for our feelings, even if a lot of the time they're sort of just suspended there in figurative air with no resolution or end, music is a safe space that allows them to just be, without judgment. I think in a world where it isn't always safe or welcome for us to have big feelings, let alone share them vulnerably and openly with others, as an artist I want there to be space for not just myself but for others to feel stuff. I think it's so important for us to feel stuff as human beings. It's what makes being alive feel so horrible and wonderful all at once. I want people to be able to see and recognize themselves in my music. That's what really matters. And the only way to do that is to be honest.
