We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nikki Lickstein. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nikki below.

Nikki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

In a way, I have always done what I do. I’ve always hard that feeling in the middle of the night, that rush inside. Having to step out of class to record a voice memo into my phone so that I don’t forget the newest melody from my constant “mumbling” of as I like to say, “verbal doodles”. Whatever it is you want to call it, that’s always been me; a songwriter, a poet, a composer, a lyricist. I’m proud to be one of those crazy people who dreams music, who wishes to create the next hit song, who hums to themselves in the hallways, that is me. My original music defines me both as an artist and musician, however, it is the journey that it takes to get to a complete song that defines me as the hard worker I am. This unique talent is not only how I identify myself, but how I communicate with others best, too. I could not live without songwriting, without the inner struggle of figuring out when my work is completely “finished”, and without knowing I’ve shared my thoughts, through art, with the world. They say every song begins with three chords and the truth, however, the songwriting process, like life, starts out quite complex. As I begin to narrow in though, clear paths always start to develop. I usually start with a topic at mind, whether it be that last friend problem I had, or something serious like bullying, really anything I feel the need to get out of my head and onto some music staff. As I dig deeper into the theme, I use tools I’ve learned from reading, composition, poetry, and workshops I’ve attended about my craft to start working at the song. Slowly the piece takes its form with each alliteration and description said, line by line. It is easy to get carried away in the storytelling process that composing is. As the song forms itself, both musically and lyrically, the hardest part has yet to come: knowing when to end. Letting go and knowing you have done your best work at hand, tried your absolute hardest, and have done all that is in your power, is a tough lesson to learn, not just in songwriting. How do you know enough is enough, that you have left it all on the field? In sports, the buzzer stops, you win or lose. With art, it is up to the artist to decide when the work has been completed. You can’t beat yourself up too much over it, I’ve come to find that you just feel it in your gut and you’ll know when it’s right where it belongs. And even if you don’t, sometimes you have to sit back and let it out into the world and see what happens. As I continue my songwriting journey in Nashville and young adulthood, I continue learning from music, like I have for over the past decade in my bedroom with my guitar in south Florida. That acoustic instrument with six strings and some beat up frets has taught me perseverance, hard work, and has given me the confidence to put my music, my story, out into the world. I’ve been blessed with positive feedback from around the world and have seen how my music can make an impact on someone’s life. They may say a song begins with three chords and the truth, but they don’t say how to end one or where it will take you. Besides that, essential skills are required… I am always reminded of the quote in my middle school jazz band room, “Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard.” Nothing can replace a good work ethic in the music industry, in my opinion. I have always been a firm believer that the harder you work, the luckier you get. I hope to have a publishing deal one day as a professional songwriter and am committed to putting in the work to do so.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a songwriter who believes in creating my own kind of music. Having played guitar almost daily for the past 16 years, I consider it my third arm, and songwriting, my second language. When I was 4 I decided music would be my profession. This might sound strange to some, as I know figuring out your life’s purpose in preschool is unusual, but that is just how it was for me. I started lessons in kindergarten once I learned to read and by age 10 I was attending a school of the arts, playing in orchestra and jazz band, and advancing my musicianship and writing. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to audition for and earn opportunities to study at programs with Berklee College of Music, University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, New York University’s Steinhart School, and Julliard Jazz. I finished my college education at Belmont University, majoring in songwriting and minoring in music business. I am probably most proud of the growth I have made in my craft. Even though I may not be where I want to be yet, (Grammy someday….) but I think if 5 year old Nikki who had just began music lessons saw the me now, pursuing her dreams in Nashville, having had multiple artists cut my songs, a original holiday single with radio play, and played at venues around town like the Listening Room and Bluebird Cafe, she would be proud. Getting to teach my students music, while continuing to perfect my craft is very fulfilling and how I have been making a living for the time being while finishing up my masters degree in the mean time.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For most of my life, I have struggled with mental health issues. In a way, those struggles have driven me in my mission through out my creative journey. I have always hoped the words and music I wrote would reach those who needed to hear them. Certain songs have almost saved my life at points in time. They provided comfort and encouraged me. They let me know I wasn’t alone. Sometimes I write funny songs. I think it is important to laugh. Sometimes they are more inspiring, either way, it is the impact I strive to make for my listeners. If no one else seems to be there, music always will.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I could not recommend NSAI, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, more for developing your creative journey. I started getting involved with them at age 15, after being discovered by director Bart Herbison, but wish I knew about them earlier because of just how helpful they are! Located here in Nashville, but with chapters all across the country, NSAI offers pitch to publisher workshop events, co-writing ‘speed dates’, mixes with producers, song critiques, performance, competition, and intensive opportunities with industry professionals as well as numerous networking and development opportunities. This past year I have been lucky enough to participate in several successful pitch to publisher events with heads of A&R and VP of Creatives at companies like Edge Hill publishing and Reservoir. Having my songs taken was a big motivator, as well as my original “Boston” being chosen as part of NSAI’s Top 40 songs in honor of Bob Kingsley. After submitted through the song evaluation service an NSAI evaluator reviewed another new (unreleased) original of mine “Spare Key”, and recommended it to be considered for the publisher luncheon. None of this would’ve happened without knowing about this organization so I highly encourage getting involved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nikkilickstein.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikki.lickstein/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLickstein
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrkOYZjdi2nRlmLrvJbC0DA
• Other: Follow me on TikTok @nik.lickstein

Image Credits
Jennifer Cooke Photography Kave Digital – Ken Alvarez Sammi Stoloff Jeck Media Steffel Media