Serious Songwriter: Nikki Lickstein
Nikki Lickstein
Location:
Nasvhille, TN, USA
Tell us about yourself:
20 year old singer songwriter from south Florida. Grew up playing in orchestra and jazz band at an arts school, while writing poetry and decided to put the two together one day. Moved to Nashville last year. Middle child of three girls, avid Miami Heat fan, dog lover, and big chocolate advocate.
Name of your most recent release:
Why are you a songwriter?
I want to make the soundtrack of people's lives. I want to give someone their first dance song, or a melody to cry to, a tune to laugh, etc. I believe in creating my own kind of music. I love storytelling through music and words, or "verbal doodles" as I like to say. There's nothing quite like it.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having my original Christmas song, "And I'm Still Single" played on radio stations across the US. I wrote it by myself at 17 and it had always been a goal of mine to hear my stuff played in the car. Next stop, Grammy!!
Share the most interesting writing experience you ever had:
I had the pleasure and honor of writing in a room with Grammy award winning producer Femke, up and coming Warner Chapel artist Cassidy Daniels, and pro writer Jeff Middleton earlier this year at Liz Rose Music in Nashville. Being in a room with such greats was a very surreal moment of recognizing hard work truly does pay off.
What makes you unique as a songwriter?
Being a multi-InstrumentalistI would say I am best known for my sincere and fearless approach to music. My lyrics- paired with bright, infectious melodies- are sweet, yet purposeful, and serve as a true testament to my fierce individuality.
If you could write with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
John Mayer. He is a lyrical and musical genius in more ways than I can count.
How can the Serious Songwriter community help you?
Networking with artists. My goal is to be a WRITER. I am always looking for cowriters and people who want to sing my material.
What can you help the Serious Songwriter community with?
I believe I can offer advice on getting into the writers' round scene here in Nashville as well as what it takes to book all your own stuff, and young networking opportunities for pure writers like myself to meet artists.
Fun fact about you:
I love to move and actually appeared as a dancer of Nickelodeon's "Every Witch Way" back in middle school. Today I can be seen on Belmont University's 629 Dance Team at basketball games.