Interview with Nicki Wells.
Interviewed by Laury Verdoux
We’re speaking with Nicki Wells, a talented singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Nicki has recently announced her debut album, titled Ellipsis, set to release in August. The latest single from Ellipsis, “Holy Smoke”, is a gorgeously sensitive and emotionally insightful song that showcases Wells' folk-inflected vocals, deeply poetic lyrics, and the familiar keys of her childhood piano. The track, accompanied by soaring orchestral strings, explores the process of grieving after loss, offering the idea that there can be beauty in the relinquishment of gently letting go.
Hi Nicki! Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us more about your background?
I’m Nicki Wells, I’m a singer songwriter composer production, originally from London but been recently living in the Welsh valleys of Monmouthshire. My background has took me to living in Italy, India and Australia. I have been influenced by Indian Classical music because of my childhood spent living Dharamsala, at the foothills of the Himalayas.
You've spent months teasing your debut album Ellipsis and it is set to release on 18th August. How does it feel to be that close to the release date?
Super exciting. It’s been a long time coming because I started creating this album in 2020 so it’s time the world finally heard it. I can’t wait for it to have a life in this world.
You've just released a new single, "Holy Smoke" - can you tell us more about your creative process and the story behind the song?
Both of my Uncles past away 5 months from each other and I wrote the Chrs during that time:
“Time to face the Angels’ grace, feel the light upon your face,
Who would ever have known how, beautiful you are right now?”
It’s a song about coping with loss and allowing one the grace and dignity to grieve in a soft and gentle way.
You're not just a singer-songwriter for yourself, you compose songs for movies and documentaries. Can you tell us more about that?
I have composed for film, theatre productions and documentaries but mostly for Dance. I love writing music for dance. To watch the body move to your own music is a privilege to watch. My compositions for dance have shown in places like Sadlers Wells, The Edinburgh Festival, The Melbourne Arts Centre to The Vancouver Playhouse.
What do you want listeners to take from your music?
I’d love more my music to make people feel more alive in a deep way where emotions are moving - like a butterfly that comes out of it’s cocoon.
Can you give us any sneak peek from Ellipsis?
Well there are four singles out now which I have been dripping tracks of the album for a while which people can check out on Spotify: You’re Alright Kid, Carry On, I Have Longed to Be Here and Holy Smoke.